Original subtitles

[organ music playing]

[Henry] Do you, Laurie Bey,

in presenting this child for holy baptism,

confess your faith in our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ?

I do.

And do you therefore,

accept as your bounden duty and privilege

to live before this child, a life that becomes the gospel?

I never knew she had a brother.

‐[Henry continues speaking] ‐Who's the other guy?

‐I don't know. ‐[Henry] ...holy scriptures...

Bit young for you.

...upon the private and public worship of God.

I do.

‐[baby gurgles] ‐Oh.

And what name is given this child?

Michael John.

[baby gurgles]

[Henry] Michael John,

I baptize thee in the name of the Father...

and of the Son...

and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

[all] Amen.

[Henry] Friends...

may the Lord bless, preserve and keep you

now and forevermore.

[all] Amen.

Many of you have been wondering who Michael's father is.

I'd like to introduce him now.

My dear friend, Gordy Hartman.

[indistinct chatter]

About a year ago,

Gordy came to me with my brother Gerry,

his life partner,

and asked me...

if I would consider carrying a baby for them.

I happily agreed.

And you can see the beautiful result.

And since Gerry and Gordy have decided

to raise Michael right here in Rome,

you'll all have a chance to watch him grow up.

Congratulations.

Good God.

[theme music playing]

[theme music ends]

Gay parents raising their son in Rome.

Ha. It's a brave new world, huh, Henry?

Henry, what's the matter?

‐I wonder how they did it. ‐That's not the way I would have handled it.

Artificial insemination? In vitro?

‐Carter. ‐He probably wasn't even there.

All you need is a firm pillow and a turkey baster, you know.

Carter, open the door. I'm standing in a puddle.

Sorry.

So, who's gonna be the mom, then?

I guess you can say Laurie's brother.

‐[door closes] ‐Okay.

How can a guy be a mom?

Because he's a faggot, moron.

‐Hey. ‐[Jill] Matthew.

It takes one to know one.

Look who's talking.

Shut up.

Faggot.

‐Liar. ‐Stop it.

Matthew.

He called me a faggot.

Matthew, we don't use that word in this family.

Now you apologize to your brother.

Okay, okay. I'm... I'm, sorry. You're gay.

‐I'm not gay. ‐[Jill] All right.

Upstairs.

‐What did I do? ‐Now.

Zack, don't listen to him.

He's just being his usual moronic, homophobic self.

And besides, even if you were gay, there's nothing wrong with it.

‐There isn't? ‐No.

Is there, Mom?

‐[Jimmy] Jill. ‐What? Oh.

No, honey, there isn't.

[Gerry] Watch those fingers.

[Gordy] Okay, pick him up. Here we go.

Now, watch his neck.

Hey, all right, little pumpkin.

Get it in there.

‐Okay, little guy. ‐Yeah. Hey, little baby.

Hey, come in.

[Gordy] Come on, little baby. Hello. Oh, shh.

You don't look so hot.

[Gerry, for Laurie] I'm on the news.

My approval ratings are falling.

My friends think I'm crazy.

How was our day?

Oh, you think you've got it bad.

I've been trying to teach your brother to change a diaper.

Hey, it's not so easy.

[baby gurgles]

‐Here. ‐[doorbell rings]

Take the boy.

Doorbell, doorbell.

‐Oh, he's so cute. Look at the‐‐ ‐Okay, baby.

Show her how he laughs when you make your funny face.

‐[laughs] ‐[Gordy] I do not make a funny face.

[inhales]

Gerald.

‐Well? ‐Oh.

[sighs]

If I'd known you were coming, I would have put out the dip.

Oh, Gerald.

Mom.

Oh, is that my grandson?

Hello, Michael.

Hello.

What a big baby.

What a beautiful boy.

Hello, Christine.

Gordy.

Here, let me take your coat.

Thanks.

‐There you go. ‐What a surprise. Um...

can I get you something, some, some coffee?

Thank you. Black.

[baby crying]

Here, what's the matter?

Everything's all right, dear.

Come on, dear.

Remember the Dancing Bandit, the bank robber

who became mayor of Rome, Wisconsin, last year.

Well, she struck again today,

only this time it's not just the bankers who are up in arms.

The Mayor has given custody of her three‐month‐old son

to his biological father, a gay minister,

and his lover, a Chicago stock broker,

who also happens to be the mayor's brother.

[sighs]

What?

I'm so worried about Laurie, Jimmy.

When we went through her pregnancy together,

she didn't seem like a woman who was gonna give up her baby.

She must love her brother a whole lot to do this for him.

Can't imagine what she must be going through.

It's her decision.

I know.

I know, but...

do you think that this is really a good situation for the baby?

Oh, honey,

they seem like decent people.

Laurie trusts them.

Then how can she know that... they can raise her child.

Oh, god.

How does anyone know?

A lot of people are out there raising children who probably shouldn't be.

Look at your pair.

[scoffs] Look at mine.

We turned out all right, I think.

[Jill] I'm not saying they won't be wonderful parents.

I'm just saying...

I don't know what I'm saying.

She likes your hair.

Looks nice.

Thank you.

What do they call that color, anyway?

So, you're still living in Ann Arbor.

Oh, god, no. I haven't lived there for years.

Rochester Hills, outside Detroit.

Mmm‐hmm. Gay capital of Michigan.

What?

[clears throat] Okay, just a little joke.

Nothing.

I hope you don't expect me to approve of this situation.

Well, I'm still gay

so I don't guess there's any chance of that.

I hoped you'd might have outgrown it.

Nope. We're still just a pair of queens. Right, Gordy?

What?

I said, now that Mother's here,

I'm thinking of going straight.

You just insist on humiliating me, don't you, Gerry?

Oh, yeah. Right.

If you think for one minute

that I'm going to give you my blessing...

If you think I'm going to let you and him raise that boy...

Excuse me, but I don't think anyone asked you.

I may as well tell you why I'm here.

[Gerry] I wish you would.

I'm suing for custody.

What?

I've hired an attorney

and I'm taking my grandson.

How can you be such a bitch?

What? What? What?

She came here to take Michael.

I don't expect you to understand.

He's my only grandson.

Somebody's got to look out for him.

You are not taking my son.

For God's sake, Gerald, he's not your son.

He's her son. You're his uncle.

‐Get out. ‐[baby crying]

‐You see what you've done. ‐[baby continues crying]

Get out of here.

[baby continues crying]

You'll be hearing my attorney, Gerald.

[door closes]

I can't believe this. She, she can actually get custody.

If she can prove that you're unfit parents, she will.

The judge, he will only look at the best interests of the child.

Are you telling me that this woman,

who I haven't seen in my entire adult life,

can just waltz in here

and take our baby because we're gay.

Uh‐huh. No. No.

I'm not telling you that, but‐‐

So what kind of society is this?

‐Gerry. ‐No, I mean,

all I'm trying to do is raise a son.

I mean, is that a crime?

What can we do?

Fight her.

Gordy is the natural father.

He has presumptive rights.

Your only other option is walk away,

relinquish custody.

We are not walking.

Mr. Wambaugh...

we don't care how much it costs or how long it takes,

or what we have to do...

Michael is our son.

[Douglas] All right, then. All right.

Your mother is going to play hardball,

which means we play hardball.

Define hardball.

She's going to do everything she can

to destroy you two in front of the eyes of the judge.

We will do the same to her.

There can be no turning back.

Excuse us.

[door opens]

What?

[sighs] I don't know.

God. [sighs]

Laurie...

what are you afraid of?

Nothing.

[scoffs] I don't believe it.

You're afraid that she won't love you anymore, aren't you?

No.

She didn't love you then.

She doesn't love you now,

not the way you want her to.

God.

[Gerry sighs]

When are you going to stop pretending?

Oh, for God's sake, Laurie.

Wake up.

[Henry] Along with communion...

baptism is the most sacred right I'm entitled to perform.

I had no idea when Laurie Bey approached me that...

she planned to give her child to two gay men to raise as their son.

I assume she didn't think I was big enough to handle the truth.

I've got news for her.

I am.

And I do not appreciate being made a fool of in front of my congregation,

before God.

I'll have you know I'm not happy about it.

In fact, I'm mad as hell.

Many of you have shared with me your...

deep misgivings about this notion of gay parenting.

Now, on the matter of homosexuality,

Scripture is clear.

In Leviticus it says,

"If a man lies with a male as with a woman,

both of them have committed an abomination.

They shall be put to death. Their blood is upon them."

So what are we to do?

I've spoken with the elders.

And I've spent several emotional hours with Christine Bey,

whom I invited to worship with us this morning.

And I prayed for guidance, friends.

And it is my decision that this congregation will stand behind Christine

in the long days ahead

as she battles for custody of her grandson.

Now, the Church Council has established a legal fund.

Now, I ask you to give what you can.

I'm also told that the ladies circle

is having a flash fry tomorrow night.

‐Five‐thirty, is it? ‐[woman] Six o'clock.

[Henry] Six o'clock in Fellowship Hall.

Now, please join us.

It's all you can eat,

and all the proceeds will go the fund.

Let us pray.

‐[phone ringing] ‐[indistinct conversation]

‐Hey, I thought they fixed that. ‐Yeah, so did I.

This won't do. Give me a hand.

I heard what happened at the church this morning.

Everybody's got an opinion.

[Kenny] Most of them bad.

I was playing pool last night.

A lot of talk. It started getting pretty ugly.

Yeah?

What did you do about it?

What was I supposed to do about it?

I was shooting pool.

It was just talk anyways.

Yeah, well, it was just talk

when Chuck Dowdy told people to get rid of the mayor.

Look what happened.

Maxine got shot.

‐Okay. I hear you. ‐Great.

Glad I caught you.

I need your signature.

Uh... just there on the top line above your name.

What you got here?

Recall petition.

Gonna dump the mayor.

The city council sanctioned this?

Ten to one. One abstention.

Hank Greenfield.

Last time I buy a car from him.

I'm not signing this.

Come on, Jimmy.

You know we can't support her

after that stunt she pulled.

What are you talking about?

What's that got to do with being mayor?

It's a question of character.

Hers or yours?

Jimmy, you can't stay neutral on this one.

People look to you.

Fine. [paper crushing] Let them look.

‐Oh. ‐Everett...

get the hell out of here.

You got work to do.

[sighs]

‐[piano music playing] ‐[doorbell rings]

[doorbell rings]

‐Hi. ‐Hello.

I'm Art Fine with the GDL.

Gay Defense League.

Have you heard of our organization?

Uh, no.

Is this a bad time?

Well, we're, uh, about to have supper.

I won't be a minute.

We're canvassing the neighborhood this evening

to raise money for the Hartman‐Bey Defense Fund.

I'm sure you've heard about the custody battle

that's brewing here in town.

If you haven't, I'll be

more than happy to tell you about it.

[Judge Bone] Who is it?

Art Fine from the GDL.

We're raising money for the Hartman‐Bey Defense Fund and...

Are you familiar about the custody battle that's brewing here in town?

Because, if not, I'll be more than glad to tell you about it.

Well, of course, we've heard about it.

You'd have to be living under a stone not to.

[chuckles] Then can I count on you for something?

A hundred dollars.

‐Absolutely not. ‐[Art] Fifty.

Twenty‐five.

Anything that you can spare,

I mean, we're strictly a volunteer organization.

Every dollar collected goes to the cause.

‐Carter. ‐Hmm.

Is that my dinner I smell getting cold?

Well, excuse me for trying to make a difference.

He can be a little gruff.

I guess we know who wears the pants in this family.

I just hope she's worth it.

‐[sighs] What did he mean by that? ‐What?

[gasps] Oh, my god. You don't think...

[Judge Bone] What?

‐Don't be ridiculous. ‐That's exactly what he thought.

Carter, for God's sake.

You are not even my type.

‐I think he's hungry. ‐No.

He only ate an hour ago.

[speaks indistinctly]

[Gerry] Okay, if you think so.

‐[man1] Hey, faggots. ‐[man2] Faggots.

Why don't you go back where you came from?

You get in the car.

[men speaking indistinctly]

[Gerry] What's your problem, man?

‐Huh? ‐We don't want any faggots around here.

Just back off.

[men speaking indistinctly]

Hey, anybody tell you what we do to faggots around here.

‐Faggot. ‐[baby crying]

[Gerry] Hey, we've got a baby in that car.

‐[screams] ‐Oh.

‐[men speaking indistinctly] ‐[Gerry grunts]

[siren wailing]

‐Go, go, go. ‐Stop it.

Gerry. Oh, my god.

[indistinct radio chatter]

You're bleeding. Hold still.

[grunts]

[radio chatter continues]

You'll be okay.

Yeah, I'm okay, Sir. We're a man down.

Ow.

‐[woman speaks over PA] ‐[indistinct conversation]

Relax, Doc.

I'm negative.

When was the last time you had an AIDS test?

Uh, it's been about six months.

Would you like me to do another one for you?

I mean, while you're here.

No, I think I've been stuck enough for one day.

I don't mean to press, but you are a father now.

It'd be a good idea for you to be tested a little more regularly.

I appreciate your concern.

Okay.

All righty. Well, you're done.

I'm gonna wanna see you in a couple of days, okay?

‐Dr. Brock? ‐Hmm.

Since I'm going to be living here and...

you're probably going to be my doctor, uh...

I want to tell you something.

It's really none of your business.

You don't have to worry about my son.

I may be gay, but I'm not promiscuous.

I haven't been with another man since I met my partner

thirteen years ago.

And what about him?

Excuse me?

You may be monogamous, but how do you know he is?

Do you trust your husband, Dr. Brock?

‐[phone rings] ‐[indistinct chatter]

[knocking on door]

[sighs]

Can I talk to you please?

This is Rebecca.

What is it?

I have a big day tomorrow.

I want you to drop the suit.

Think about what you're doing.

Think about what the next few days will do to our family.

Don't you think I've thought about it?

I have no other choice, Laurie.

I just wish your father were here with me to help me now.

If Daddy were here,

he would be at Gerry's playing with Michael right now.

He wouldn't have a problem with it. You do.

Your father didn't approve of Gerry any more than I do.

He was embarrassed by him.

Gerry's whole lifestyle is an insult to his memory.

And don't kid yourself, young lady,

he would be ashamed of you, too.

Do you think I want to raise another child

at this point in my life?

I'm 56 years old.

I'm alone.

By the time Michael goes to college,

I'll be an old woman.

But if that's what I have to do to make sure my grandson

has a normal life,

then that's what I'm going to do.

Mother.

I don't want to talk about this anymore.

Goodnight.

[scoffs]

Gerry was right.

This isn't about the baby.

It's about you, isn't it?

You failed with us,

now you're trying to fix it with him.

You tell your boss I'm finished talking about‐‐

No.

You talk to me, not her. Me.

I'm 30 years old and you still can't talk to me. Why?

Daddy learned to sign. Why couldn't you?

The doctors told me not to. That's why?

The experts told me not to coddle you.

I wanted you to talk.

But you were so isolated.

Can you imagine if I had learned to sign?

When would you have ever come out of your shell?

And you were my daughter.

And I wanted you to be part of my world.

Obviously I failed.

I fell flat on my face.

But I'm not going to fail again.

Not with my grandson. Not this time.

Despite 70 years of research,

there is still no concrete scientific evidence

to suggest that homosexuality

is anything but the result of environmental influences

in early childhood.

Well, that being the case, Doctor,

are gay parents more likely to raise gay children

than heterosexual parents?

[Dr. Russell] Yes.

Our studies indicate

that 12 percent of children

raised by homosexual parents become gay.

That is a number six times greater

than those raised by heterosexuals.

Roughly ten percent of the children

raised by homosexuals became gay,

which is the same figure for the children raised by heterosexuals.

In fact...

the latest research strongly suggests

that sexual orientation has genetic,

not environmental origins.

[Douglas] No more questions.

In your expert opinion, doctor,

are gay men as likely to make good parents

as heterosexual couples.

No. Without exception.

Our study indicates that gay men are disproportionately unhappy.

Why?

[Dr. Russell] Their relationships tend to be transitory.

They average between 50 and 100 different sex partners a year.

Have you ever interviewed my client, Dr. Russell?

No.

Ever laid eyes on him

before you walked into this courtroom?

No.

Well, do you know anything

about his sex life?

No.

Or anything about his family history?

‐No. ‐[Douglas] Professional life?

No.

Well, can you tell this court

anything specific about my client

that makes him unsuitable to be a parent?

No.

I can't.

[reporter] The battle of expert witnesses

drew to a close this morning

with neither side emerging as a clear victor.

With the closed court session

scheduled to resume this afternoon,

battle lines were being drawn outside the courtroom

as the city council issued a petition to recall the mayor.

And Sheriff James Brock rallied to her defense.

It appears‐‐

Oh. that guy.

‐He's a little pompous. ‐Yeah. Sure is.

Are you going to eat your pickle?

No. Go ahead.

I'm proud of you, honey.

What?

For taking a stand.

Most of us were just... watching from the sidelines.

‐No. ‐But not you.

‐Just said what I believe. ‐Still.

You know what Zack asked me this morning?

[sighs] If I'd ever made it with a man.

[chuckles]

Did you ever think we'd be explaining to our kids

how two men can live together as husband and wife.

A long way from Ozzie and Harriet.

Long way.

So you decided to have a family. What then?

Uh, we tried to adopt.

we approached several agencies,

but because we're gay

all we got offered

were the babies no one else wanted.

Objection. Witness is speculating.

Sustained.

Describe these babies no one else wanted.

Kids with severe physical disabilities,

terminally ill kids, AIDS babies.

Well, why didn't you accept one of them?

We didn't think we could handle the emotional trauma

of parenting a terminally ill child.

Not to say, God forbid, if something happened to our son, we couldn't.

But I think we're pretty aware of our emotional strengths.

And limitations.

Well, Mr. Hartman, you and your partner

sound like the all‐American couple.

Together for almost 13 years,

both of you college educated,

financially stable.

You guys are,

are a couple of regular poster boys, aren't you?

We try.

Can you think of any reason why this court shouldn't allow you

to retain custody of young Michael.

No, not really.

[counsel] Have you ever led

a promiscuous sex life?

[Douglas] Objection.

Your Honor, we're talking

about the best interest of a child here.

I think close examination of sexual conduct is relevant.

Objection is overruled.

[counsel] At any point in your life,

have you ever had

frequent sexual encounters with numerous partners?

Yes.

But not for years.

How many partners?

Fifty?

A hundred?

Two hundred?

I don't know.

More than 20, less than 50.

Then you met Gerry Bey, for the last 13 years

you've been totally monogamous.

Is that what you're asking us to believe?

That's the truth.

[counsel] Gerry Bey ever tell you

that he'd been convicted of lewd conduct?

Objection.

Hearsay. No foundation.

Your Honor, Mr. Bey sits right there.

I'd be more than happy to put him on the stand.

We can deal with this hearsay.

Uh, objection's overruled. I'll hear it. Come on.

Yes, he told me that.

But I didn't do anything.

Sit down.

My lawyer told me to plea bargain.

I didn't do anything.

‐[Douglas] Gerry, Gerry, sit down. Sit down. ‐It was bogus.

Please sit down.

I apologize for my client, Your Honor.

Mmm‐hmm.

So, you were once promiscuous

and your partner has been convicted of lewd conduct.

Now, uh... Mr. Hartman,

I understand that you and Gerry are quite social.

You, uh, host a lot of parties at your place, is that right?

Yes, we like to entertain.

[counsel] And at these parties,

are men typically affectionate with each other?

I mean, do any of them...

kiss or... hold hands, stuff like that?

Yes, I suppose there's some of that,

But they're not make out parties if that's what you mean.

You plan to continue to have these...

parties in the future?

Yes.

So, your son

will be exposed to this type of affection between men

on an ongoing basis, won't he?

Yes. But there's nothing wrong‐‐

Now, hold on now, Mr. Hartman, nobody is making any judgments here.

And as a matter of fact,

you are very proud of the fact

that you are gay, isn't that right?

I'm not ashamed of it, if that's what you mean.

It's...

‐It's who I am. ‐[counsel] That's right.

It's who you are.

Now, Mr. Hartman, wouldn't you agree that most parents

would like to have their kids to grow up and be just like them?

I suppose.

Would you like to have young Michael

grow up to be just like you?

Are you asking me if I want Michael to be gay?

You tell me, Mr. Hartman.

Would you like your son to be gay?

You just said, you told this court

that there was nothing wrong with it

that you are in fact proud of it.

I'd like my son to grow up to be who he wants to be.

Well, yes, that's all very good and well, Mr. Hartman.

Would you agree that it's the parents job

to, to guide the child in his development?

Yes.

[counsel] You just told this court

you plan to continue having parties

where men kiss and hold hands.

So, in effect, you are going to be actively

molding young Michael's perceptions

of what is normal behavior

of what's appropriate, won't you?

‐I suppose. ‐You suppose?

Don't you know what kind of values you intend to teach him?

‐Yes, I know. ‐Oh, let's be honest, Mr. Hartman.

You lead an actively gay lifestyle,

You are politically active in the gay rights movement.

As a lay minister, you've tried to have gay ministers

ordained in your church.

You're a propagandist,

that's what you are, Mr. Hartman.

You are promoting actively a gay lifestyle

and you will actively promote it to young Michael.

‐[Douglas] Objection. ‐[Judge Bone] Overruled.

Answer the question.

‐That's not true. ‐How can it not be true?

You have a choice.

What kind of choice could he possible have

in a blatantly homosexual household?

[stammers] He'll have plenty of straight friends.

He'll have friends from school,

‐he'll have a choice. ‐Nothing further.

Homosexuality is not a conscious choice.

We're through, Mr. Hartman.

Mrs. Bey,

do you have the time and the means

to raise another child at this time in your life?

I guess I do.

I have a three‐bedroom home, 3800 square feet.

My husband did quite well,

so financially it's not a problem.

I hired a nanny, a lovely girl from the university

to help me raise Michael.

And will you tell the court why...

you want to raise this child.

I want to give him something

that his father could never give him.

A normal home,

where he can grow up as a normal child.

Thank you, Mrs. Bey.

Before you arrived

at your son's house the other day,

how long had it been since you'd seen him?

Twelve years.

[Douglas] Twelve years?

You didn't speak to your only son for 12 years. Why?

We had a falling out.

[Douglas] Over what?

His lifestyle.

[Douglas] The fact that he's a homosexual?

Yes.

And how often

do you talk to your daughter?

I don't know. Occasionally.

[Douglas] Once a week, once a month,

couple of times a year, what?

[Christine] I don't know.

A couple of times a year, I suppose.

[Douglas] And how would you characterize your relationship with her?

Fine.

[Douglas] Fine. Ha.

You talk to her once a year.

I talk to my son more than that even when we're not talking.

So how could it be fine?

She's deaf.

She's not that easy to talk to.

You consider yourself a good mother, Mrs. Bey?

Yes, I do.

Nor perfect, certainly, but...

You gave your children everything they needed?

Everything I could.

Well, what kind of things

did you give your children?

Oh, I gave them a roof over their heads.

I made sure they had...

clothes to wear, that they never went hungry.

I gave them structure... life.

What about love, Mrs. Bey?

You didn't mention that.

Did you give them love?

I feel I did. Yes, of course.

[Douglas] But...

They made it hard.

Ah.

So you loved them conditionally.

‐Objection. ‐Sustained.

Didn't you tell your daughter just two days ago,

that the last thing you wanted at this point in your life

was to raise another child?

That in fact, you were ashamed of both of your children

and disapproved of them

and if anything,

you're seeking custody of your grandson

just to spite them?

Objection. Hearsay.

Your Honor,

I'm interested in the parenting skills

and the suitability of this witness,

never mind the jewelry and nice outfit.

Sustained.

You said your children disassociated themselves from you.

But wouldn't it have been more accurate to say

that you cut them off?

No.

Uh, you rejected your son

when he told you he was gay, didn't you?

Yes.

And when you discovered

that your daughter was deaf,

you refused to learn sign language, didn't you?

That was an informed decision.

[Douglas] How can we be sure, Mrs. Bey,

that if God forbid,

something were to happen to this child,

if her turned out to be anything but a normal,

healthy, heterosexual Christian...

that you won't do to him

exactly what you did to your own children

when they failed to live up to your standards?

Objection.

The fact is, Mrs. Bey,

you may say you love your children...

[chuckles] ...you may even believe it...

but when it gets right down to it...

you weren't there for them, were you?

In fact, in the crunch...

when they needed your love unconditionally

you weren't there for them at all.

I did the best I could.

[slow music playing]

Thank you.

For what?

For being my friend.

[indistinct conversation]

They're back.

[bailiff] All rise.

Be seated.

[Judge Bone clears throat]

This is a custody trial...

not a referendum on homosexuality.

The expert testimony presented...

consists largely of conflicting studies

of questionable reliability.

And I find no convincing argument...

that sexual orientation alone...

is in any way relevant

to the best interests of the child in this case.

The religious among us, I suppose...

would find it easy to hide behind their Bibles.

But let me remind you...

the same Bible

that slave runners used to protect their self‐interest

is the Bible that inspired those very slaves to revolt.

The same Bible...

that on the basis of an archaic social code...

condemns homosexuality...

includes metaphors of redemption...

inclusion and love

that invites gays and lesbians

into the church.

No...

the basis for custody in this case...

must come down...

to individual considerations.

Mr. Hartman,

you appear to be

a vital, contributing member of society.

One half of a stable relationship,

absolutely committed...

to your natural born son.

It is an unfair burden...

to make you disprove any unsubstantiated fears

or myths about gays raising children.

Mrs. Bey...

I find you, perhaps,

the most tragic figure in this family drama.

Isolated...

lonely...

in deep denial about your own culpability

in the events that led to the estrangement from your children.

I hope, if nothing else,

these proceedings will make you examine your own feelings

and seek redemption with your daughter and son.

The Supreme Court has recognized...

that the rights attached to natural parenthood

are among the most basic of civil rights.

The fact that Mr. Hartman's lifestyle

is at odds with the child's grandmother's

in no way proves

that his parental behavior

is detrimental to his son.

I am a product of my own upbringing.

A member of this culture.

And over the years,

have been exposed along with the rest of you...

to the innuendo...

unbridled prejudice...

and revulsion...

many people feel toward homosexuals.

Nevertheless,

I can find no objective basis...

to take this child from his father.

Request for custody denied.

The child shall remain with his natural father.

‐We're adjourned. ‐[gavel bangs]

Mrs. Bey, what was the verdict?

Is there anything you want your daughter to know?

[man] Can you tell us what happened in there?

‐Do you know? ‐[woman] Mrs. Bey.

‐[indistinct chatter] ‐[woman] Mrs. Bey, please.

I'm not going to appeal.

[man] Miss Bey, do you have any comment on this, please?

Will you be staying in Rome?

Uh, yeah, I think so.

Do you feel vindicated?

[Gerry] Uh, I feel many things.

[woman] Are you going to continue

having a relationship with your grandson?

What happened to your grandson?

Are you going to continue to see your daughter?

I have no comment now.

[reporters speaking indistinctly]

[Gerry] Also, to my sister.

for this amazing gift she's given to Gordy and me.

[Gerry] Okay, come on. He's awake.

Hey, little guy.

Hey.

Say bye‐bye to your Aunt Laurie.

Hey,

she's gotta go.

[baby gurgles]

[baby continues gurgling]

‐Goodbye, baby. ‐[baby gurgles]

[Matthew] It's really not that weird, you know.

There's plenty of them out there.

Elton John?

‐What do you think? ‐Pee‐wee Herman?

Looks like one, acts like one.

[both] Is one.

[Zack] Wayne Gretzky?

[Matthew] There are no gay hockey players.

Never have been, never will be.

Think it'd be weird having two dads?

[Matthew] I don't know.

Probably be easier to use the bathroom.

[Zack] Yeah, no girl junk around.

[Matthew] Food wouldn't be as good though.

[theme music playing]

[theme music ends]