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However, it was the compelling stories recounted by families faced with a child whose sexual orientation conflicted with the teachings of their churches, and society’s morals and the sometimes awful consequences, which can be exacerbated by the belief that sexual orientation is a choice that grabbed the emotions of the audience.

“Why would anyone choose something that brings pain?” asked a mother in the film who was unable to accept her daughter’s orientation. The mother lost her chance for reconciliation when her daughter committed suicide.

The families in the film included those of former House of Representatives Majority Leader and one-time presidential candidate Richard Gephardt, whose daughter is gay; Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, who is gay; and the Reitans, whose teenage gay son, Jake, opened their eyes to a different viewpoint.

“We found the families in different ways,” Harkness said. “The producer found Gene Robinson’s family. The Gephardts came from the Human Rights Campaign. The hardest to find was an African-American family — that delayed the film by a year and a half.”

Four black families came close to being included, but decided finally not to do the film.

No Latino, Asian or Jewish families were in the film, although two well-known conservative Rabbis participated, which gave the documentary great credibility, according to Harkness. She said a Latino family was interviewed but didn’t survive editing.

“The film has time limits,” Harkness said. “The first cut was four hours long.”

What was left resonated with audiences.

“I have seen the film twice and I cried both times, to my surprise,” said attorney Gene Gratz. “And I was surprised at some of the places. I was very moved by the historical consecration of Episcopal Bishop Robinson — and I am not Christian.”

Gratz, Judy Regan and Cathy and attorney Larry Nokes were among the movie buffs who attended the Sundance Film Festival in 2007, where the documentary debuted.

Frank Ricchiazzi and Borden Moller also had seen the film previously, at a Log Cabin meeting. Julie Phillips has seen the film four times.