Southern Baptist Sissies

By: Robert O'Neill
In-House Review - Sep 09 2014

Beloved writer-director Del Shores (Sordid Lives, Sordid Lives: The Series, Daddy's Dyin' . . . Who's Got the Will?) is back with this hilarious and heartbreaking adaptation of his award-winning 2000 stage play. Southern Baptist Sissies follows four young gay Texas men struggling with their sexuality while being raised as born-again Christians in the Southern Baptist Church.

The drama involves: Mark (Emerson Collins), who quickly questions the Church's teachings; sensitive Andrew (Matthew Scott Montgomery), who prays hard for God to take his gayness away; Benny (Willam Belli), the most flamboyant of the boys who embraces his true nature; and T.J. (Luke Stratte-McClure), Mark's first love, but the one most affected by the teachings that inform him that sexual inclinations are sinful. The play follows the boys' journey from confused and struggling teens to damaged adults trying to reconcile their faith with their sexuality.

Filmed seamlessly and intimately with multiple cameras in front of a live audience, Southern Baptist Sissies is a real treat. Anyone familiar with Sordid Lives can confirm that Del Shores has a talent for writing delightfully playful dialog and the actors in this production sell it with aplomb. While there isn't a weak link in the bunch, Leslie Jordan and Dale Dickey are particular stand outs as a pair of barflies who almost serve as the play's Greek chorus with hysterically funny banter that breaks up the action and lightens the proceedings.

Charming, compassionate and incredibly moving, Southern Baptist Sissies takes an important look at what it's like to grow up with the impression that your natural inclinations are an affront to God. Packed with a positive, hopeful message, this film should be required viewing. Not only will it affect those who did grow up under the thumb of oppressive religious beliefs, but it will elicit great empathy from those who know nothing of this world.

By: Dave55

This film is well done in every way, and includes a phenomenal cast performing an exceptional vehicle. It makes a very powerful statement. Other reviewers have sung the praises of this film, and I agree with everything they have written.

What I want to point out is that, if you read the other reviews and think "yeah, sounds like a great movie, but not quite my thing", you are most definitely WRONG! This movie does not fit neatly into any specific genre. It provides a clear view of the ills that can befall gay youth as a result of the hatred and bigotry evinced by fundamental religions. So what; other movies have done that too. What sets this one apart is the variety of viewpoints and reactions explored. You will see Andrew's struggle, how Andrew's mother is influenced by the preacher's advice, and what this leads to. You will see various other parent figures within the church and how they try to deal with their sons' homosexuality. You will see four young men, all of whom start out believing their church's teachings, and the different ways they break out (or try to break out) of this mold. Each ends up with a totally different perspective and journey.

All this plays against the incredible comedy of Leslie Jordan and Dale Dickey, who bring their own perspectives and stories into the mix.

It is amazing the sheer quantity and variety of viewpoints and stories that are examined in this film. What is even more amazing is that it is all done with affection and empathy, even for the "bad guys". You'll roar with laughter, and you'll probably cry as well. One thing is certain; you have never seen a movie like this. DON'T MISS IT!

By: Amos Lassen

About two or three years ago I saw a stage production of Del Shores' "Southern Baptist Sissies" at the Weekend Theater in Little Rock, Arkansas. Along with the rest of the audience I had a great time and now everyone will be able to share in the experience. We have a film of one of the theatrical performances and it highlights Shores' excellent writing and a wonderful cast. The film, like the play, is divided into two acts. Act One is set in the pews of the Calvary Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas and we meet Mark (Emerson Collins), who narrates the story. His fellow sissies at the church are his best friend Andrew (Matthew Scott Montgomery), his crush TJ (Luke Stratte-McClure) and Benny (William Belli), who is described as "the biggest sissy of all. Marks tell us that this is the church where they "learned to hate themselves" and that statement more or less tells us where the plot is going. Across the stage and sitting in a gay bar are Peanut or Preston, as you like (Leslie Jordan) and Annette Odette (Dale Dickey) who aside from functioning as a kind of Greek chorus also tell us about some unfortunate experiences they have been through as well as commenting on the action. Some of what they say is very very funny while there are also some emotional and sad tales that they share. Their stories about the sissies reinforce Shores' wonderful ability to write dialogue.

We learn of the sissies when they were youngsters as well as now that they are adults. Benny has become a drag performer known as Iona Taylor and is very much at ease with his sexuality. TJ who is the most religious is a fanatical preacher but he has also been in a relationship with Mark who accepts it all while TJ cannot let go of religion.

In the second act, Andrew realizes that he is gay and he even admits practicing "self abuse" while listening to a by band. He struggles with his feelings. When his mother finds his secret stash of gay porn, things spiral downward. Benny came to peace early with his sexuality while at summer Bible camp. He keeps up with Mark by reading his column in a gay magazine. TJ has tried very hard to rid himself of his feelings for men and he and Mark confront each other. Mark has survived even though his mind has been twisted by the Baptists.

I am fairly sure that the homophobia of the Baptist church will resonate with many. Mark who was not sure whether he wanted to accept Jesus as his personal savior or not so his Mom promises that if he does, he can have his buddy TJ for a sleepover. So he does, and the result is clear. Ultimately Mark doubts the church's homophobia and several other teachings and finally abandons religion. He drives 3000 miles and undergoes 300 years of therapy to be "who he is". TJ goes into the closet, gets married, and hates gay people. He does everything he can to promote homophobia in the church. Andrew can't bring himself to accept a life without faith, so he commits suicide. The choice is there?like religion and hate gays, or like gays and hate religion. Others have found other ways to deal with this but this is an issue that must be dealt with.