Mama's Boy: A Story from Our Americas

by Dustin Lance Black

From the Academy Award-winning screenwriter and political activist, a candid, vivid, powerfully resonant memoir about growing up as a gay Mormon in Texas that is, as well, a moving tribute to the mother who taught him about surviving against all odds

Dustin Lance Black wrote the Oscar-winning screenplay for Milk and helped overturn California's anti-gay marriage Proposition 8, but as an LGBTQ+ activist he has unlikely origins. Raised in a military, Mormon household outside San Antonio, Texas, Black always found inspiration in his plucky, determined mother. Having contracted polio as a small girl, she endured leg braces and iron lungs, and was repeatedly told that she could never have children or live a normal life. Defying expectations, she raised Black and his two brothers, built a career, escaped two abusive husbands, and eventually moved the family to a new life in Northern California. While Black struggled to come to terms with his sexuality--something antithetical to his mother's religious views--she remained his source of strength and his guiding light. Later, she would stand by his side when he helped bring the historic gay marriage case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Mama's Boy is a stirring celebration of the connections between mother and son, Red states and Blue, and the spirit of optimism and perseverance that can create positive change in the world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, LGBT, Biography, Queer, Audiobook, Autobiography

406 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2019

About the author

Director and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black escaped a repressive childhood to explore the reality of gay life in a variety of film projects, including On the Bus (2001) and the acclaimed Milk (2008). Black found an escape from his strict religious upbringing in theater, which in turn introduced him to film production, where he began his career as a filmmaker with the critically praised Journey of Jared Price (2000) and On the Bus, both of which examined identity and relationships among gay men with sensitivity and skill. He returned to his roots as a writer and co-producer on Big Love (HBO, 2006- ) before penning Milk, a biographical feature on the life of San Francisco politician and activist Harvey Milk, whose life and tragic death inspired generations of gay adults to seek respect and representation for their own lives. The outpouring of praise from critics and award organizations for Black’s script was a clear indication that he was soon to enter the top echelon of Hollywood writers.
Born in Sacramento, CA in 1979, Black was raised in a devoutly Mormon military family in San Antonio, TX before relocating to Salinas, CA after his mother’s remarriage. The religious and political atmosphere of his early years clashed mightily with his sexuality; Black knew he was gay from an early age, but kept his true nature secret for fear of abuse at the hands of others. As a result, his childhood was a secretive and deeply painful one; reportedly, Black considered suicide during this formative period.

He found solace in the local theater, and delved deeply into every aspect of that world –from acting and technical work to apprenticing with local directors. Black’s passion for performance took him to UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television, from which he graduated with honors. After college, he found work in film production, first as an art director, and later as the director on various commercials and music videos. He made the transition to dramatic feature work in 2000 with The Journey of Jared Price, an independent drama about a young gay man’s sexual awakening which he shot over a period of five days for $30,000. It was followed by a similarly-themed short film Something Close to Heaven (2000) and a documentary, On the Bus (2001). Originally intended as a six-part reality series for the Digital Entertainment Network, the latter project took its initial premise – a group of six gay men of diverse personalities travel by bus to partake in the hedonism of the Burning Man festival – and inverted its exploitative elements to become an incisive commentary on gay stereotypes. Critically acclaimed by gay and straight press alike, On the Bus helped to put Black on the map as a filmmaker.

In 2003, Black produced and directed My Life with Count Dracula, a documentary about Dr. Donald Reed, a horror movie fan whose dedication to the genre led to the creation of the Academy of Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror Film, as well as the Saturn Awards. The gentle biopic, which examined Reed’s contributions to fantasy filmmaking as well as the financial toll it took on his life, further increased Black’s profile as a documentary filmmaker and led to work as a producer and director on the BBC series Faking It (Channel 4, 2000-03, 2006). The program – a combination of game show and reality series – followed individuals as they were trained in a job completely outside of their day-to-day existence, after which they were judged alongside professionals in their new line of work by a panel who tried to determine who the “faker” in the group was. A popular and award-winning series in the UK, it led to several spin-offs, including an American version for The Learning Channel in 2003.

Reviews

[QOH · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm still teary, so pardon the short review. The ARC came yesterday afternoon and in between mom stuff like swim lessons and the zoo and laundry, I just finished. It's a profoundly American story of hope and will, triumph and facing the inevitable--and of how to face it. It is very well-written, engaging, and I had to put on my "F-k off, I'm reading" socks on to finish without interruptions.

I generally hate it when people say, "Everyone will love this book!" (because of course that's not how it works) but I can't think of anyone who wouldn't be better off for reading it. So off you go and order a copy.

(Get a pair of those socks, too, while you're at it.)

[Amy Dufera - Amy's MM Romance Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dustin Lance Black's Mama's Boy: A Story from Our Americas is an absolutely superb memoir.

To say that Lance's mom was a bad ass superhero is an understatement. Her life, strength, and determination were all remarkable. I am in awe of her! Lance wonderfully demonstrates his mother's courage and strength, while also digging into the flaws of the Mormon church.

As a former Mormon, Lance of course delves into his experiences with the church. This part is so damn tough to read at times. As many gay ex-Mormons have said, the Mormon church suffocates it's LGBT youth. It's devastating to read yet another example of the pain and suffering a kid had to endure in the name of religion. My heart breaks for young Lance, who at the age of 6, knew his growing feelings for boys were wrong.

Lance holds no bars with his retelling of the abuse he and his family endured. And I was shocked to learn about the Mormon church's issues with law enforcement. It is abhorrent, and morally vile. I already felt so much hate for the Mormon church, but this definitely added to my anger.

As I've sensed from following Lance and his speeches, family is definitely everything for him, when he was young and now as a husband and father. This book expertly explores his connection with his family.

What makes this story so special is the fact that Lance's life is full of interesting experiences, both good and bad. But what makes it accomplished is the manner in which he develops this book. A natural storyteller, he finds the perfect pace, the perfect words, and the perfect flow for telling his life story.

Lance's past is full of physical pain, and a whole lot of self hatred. There are many tough moments, suicidal thoughts, and just trying to survive life when he thought himself to be a demon.

If you are a fan of Lance and have followed his speeches, some are things you will already know. But there are plenty of other things that are new to his most steadfast of fans.

A couple of special things I take away from this book are personal to Lance and his mom. The cover photo represents an important moment in their lives and relationship. And, to learn that both mother and son fell in love with a much younger man just seems so special to me.

Mama's Boy: A Story from Our Americas is a beautiful, touching memoir. It's a tale of abuse, fear, and danger. However, at it's heart it's a story of courage and strength, full of hope and love. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

[NicoleR.M.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

* re-read on audio. While listening to Lance narrate his own book, hearing the emotions and fire and heartbreak in his voice, I couldn’t help but think how brave and courageous this book is. I have so much respect for this man, for all he’s been through and how he always tried to hold on to his positivity. Nothing but enormous respect. I loved the way he told his story, not reading what he wrote down, but showing his masterful storytelling. Chapeau.*

This book spoke to me, in so many ways. It's a heartbreaking, beautiful story, very hopeful though as well. Dustin Lance Black wrote it with passion. He was on a mission, keeping the promise he did to his mother: keeping her alive, tell her story. And he did.

While reading this book, I got more curious about the author. I already knew he had won an Oscar for the scenario he wrote for MILK, I knew he wrote the scenario for the movie about J. Edgar Hoover too. I knew he was married to Tom Daley and had a son. But I wanted to see his acceptance speech at the Oscars myself and so I went to look for it on Youtube. His speech was heartbreaking and emotional. A promise to all those young gay girls and boys that one day...one day they would have the same rights as any straight couple would have. Marry and have children. That was his promise to them and to himself as well. The next video I saw was one of his marriage. It was almost a decade after he made that promise and it was just so utterly beautiful to watch their happiness, while knowing how hard he fought to be able to make his dreams come true and with that the dreams of thousands of others.

I felt for him when he was that little boy, so confused and scared about what would happen to him if he would ever show the world who he really was. The condemnation. Certain that his mother, who meant the world to him, would never ever be able to accept him, nor would the rest of his family or his neighbors. Rejection and loneliness, no heaven for him to eventually go to, but hell. That would be his if ever anyone would find out his deepest secret.

A lot of (gay) people in the world have to thank people like Dustin Lance Black. For their fight, for never giving up and for thinking in possibilities instead of negativities. I love watching the video's on youtube to see how happy he finally is with Tom and their son Robbie. He deserves to be, as well as all these other gay boys and girls, men and women, out there. I hope there will come a day that being gay is not looked upon as a wrong kind of different, but just as 'different' in a way we all are different from each other. We are all unique persons on this Earth, and we all deserve to be loved for that.
Thank you, Dustin Lance Black, for sharing your memories with us. Your book is important and it means a lot to me.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book touches on so many deeply personal issues in such a beautiful way that I must give it all the stars. As the mother of a gay son raised in the Mormon church I was riveted with the back story of Dustin Lance Black and his mother. To be raised Mormon and be gay is not a good combination! Stories like this are just what young people need to hear. I wish my son had been able to read this when he was in junior high.

I will remedy ASAP the fact that I haven’t seen the movie, Milk, of which the academy award for best screenplay goes to Dustin Lance Black! 👏

Highly recommend this heartfelt memoir.

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Quote that I want to remember. And that also gutted me 😢

Chapter 12:

Unlike Tim, or most racial minorities, I hadn’t been born into a family that inherently understood my big difference.

Like most LGBTQ people, I had been born to heterosexual parents who didn’t know to, or even how to, instill in me the steely sense of self worth an LGBTQ minority needs to survive and defend his or her differences. Sadly, it’s all too often those very parents who prove to be their child’s first attackers when they do find out. In this particular way, and like most of my kind in those days, I knew I had been born behind enemy lines.

💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔

[Petra]

Uncomfortable and fascinating. In the best way. I am a white European girl, raised as Roman Catholic, who has university degree in law and owns apartment with her boyfriend (yeah that much of under-privilege happening around me). This book is written by gay dude from poor Mormon background somewhere deep down in the far west, whose mother survived polio, lack of money and domestic abuse and still managed to raise three cool kids. Basically a lady, who just defied gravity for her whole life. I am not that pretentious to say, I can relate to any of the challenges the author, or his family for that matter, faced.

This is a story from totally new universe. It is a different kind of memoir because the author has a movie script in his head, so it is a bit staged and sometimes a bit distant. Well, to his defense he won a freaking oscar for writing scripts, so it is not like he is bad in it. Like he keeps stuff for himself. But hey, I am the type of person to spill just about anything to anyone, so again, different universe.

The author is deeply political and involved in the struggle for higher purpose, which means some of the life ordinary stories are followed with reference to this BIG purposes and ideas, like motivation speech is literally lurking behind every corner. And this type of determination and world view is alien to me. But the general idea to try and listen to the opposition instead of building your respective forts and high horses, is marvelous.

I made self realization, that I never really had to internally struggle with views on my or someone else’s sexual orientation. I can’t remember ever thinking, there’s anything wrong with liking boys or girls. But it made me remember one night when we drank with friends and talked about gay adoption. I still remember feeling completely ashamed of the bullshit flying around . And these were my friends. But still, we talked for couple of hours and in the end they told me my arguments are good and I defend the issue well, but to rest my case for now and let them think.

Back to the book. Somewhere along the journey, I started deeply caring for the people. And it made me curious about several side issues. Like, what the fuck is wrong with America and healthcare. It is life or death, it’s not that difficult to put it as a priority and make it freaking accessible.

For the end I saved note, that there was inspiration to be drawn from the story of the Mama. I faced personal tragedy this year and the portrait of Rose, Anna, Anne, Roseanna ( I honestly got lost in the reinventions there) gave me new perspective. So, thank you, Lance, for sharing. It gave me hope.

[SugaBookBaby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dustin Lance Black has penned a beautiful tribute to his family’s journey and resilience. He is the Oscar winning screenwriter of Milk, an LGBT activist and was instrumental in the Supreme Court case that led to marriage equality. His visioning around diversity and inclusion within and outside of the LGBT community is inspiring for anyone who believes in equality. This book is a beautiful tribute to a family’s journey and resilience.

I knew the book would read well and it does, but I wondered why an Oscar winning writer would center a memoir about his mom and not solely focus on his journey. Within a few pages I knew...without her story there is no story.

She is inspiring in her journey and her unfailing courage fueled her family. The author beautifully captures this in an amazing memoir that subtly evolves into the parallels of “two America’s”. One rooted in the conflicting complexities of the South including family, religious expections, history and politics and the other in the restrictive and encumbered freedoms of an LGBT community on the precipice of continuing a fight for equality that started brewing decades prior and still continues in society.

[Rob Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brave memoir of a man who led an inspiring life on many fronts--personally, professionally, and politically. Black makes himself appealingly vulnerable as he tells the stories from his childhood with his unique, strong mother and of how, as he grew up, he grappled with then ultimately came to terms with his sexuality despite his conservative Southern, Mormon backgrounds.

Black’s accounts of how he came to win the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and to take on a leadership role in taking gay rights/gay marriage to the Supreme Court are covered in ways moving, unexpected, and eye-opening. Although the book feels a bit slow at some parts and at others like things are being glossed over, overall it is a truly remarkable account of a life well lived.

[Valleri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mama's Boy is an incredibly moving book. It tells of Lance's growing-up years, the important movies he contributed towards getting made, and his passionate work in helping get California's anti-gay marriage Proposition 8 overturned.

I loved the telling of his mom's life! What an amazing woman - one who was as beautiful inside as outside. Fierce doesn't begin to describe her, thank you very much! By all accounts, Anne was a woman of remarkable strength and tenacity who overcame physical hardship and abuse to excel in almost every way.

Lance truly is his mother’s son.

[Tim Heise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap this was a good book. I could not put it down. Deeply personal. Almost life changing.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an incredibly interesting memoir! Dustin Lance Black (screenwriter, director, LGBTQ+ activist) tells the story of his life, and the life of his mother in this thoughtful, engaging memoir. This really is a story about overcoming hardships, the lived experience of being different, and Black's extensive work for rights, inclusion, and fair treatment for the LGBTQ+ community in the United States. What I loved most about this, is that although the memoir deals with some deeply traumatic experiences, Black makes the strength of his relationships with his family truly shine in each moment. This is a book that more than anything made me think about the power of human connection. It is an incredibly worthwhile read.

[davit hovakimyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

… 5 stars. going to go further sob now.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

So, here's the thing. I think Dustin Lance Black's writing skills definitely lend themselves more to screenwriting (or so I assume... this is shameful to admit, but I still haven't watched Milk. I wanted to see it when it came out, but high school me wasn't chill enough to go to a movie alone and I sure as hell wasn't asking anyone to go with my mostly-closeted self to see that film :P). His writing style reads just a bit (okay, a lot) melodramatic on the page. BUT. But. His story and his family's story are so compelling. I really enjoyed this memoir. It lagged a bit in the beginning, but around the halfway point it became quite a page-turner. It was interesting to read about the marriage equality movement from someone who was both an insider and an outsider in various ways. I don't normally jibe with the idea that we need to "see both sides" in politics, but I appreciate how for this one specific political movement it was a useful strategy. Idk, it's complicated. But Black writes about it with a fair amount of nuance. I think the main takeaway is supposed to be that there are people who can be persuaded and they can be useful allies against the true/unyielding bigots. Overall, a really touching book about the importance of family, the value of hope in life and in politics, and finding the courage to be who you really are. Thanks to Knopf/Pantheon for the review copy! I will definitely be recommending this one to my book club.

[Bronwyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my heart! I have long been a follower of Lance and his husband Tom on social media, and am a subscriber to Tom’s YouTube channel. I remember when this book came out, but I’m not big on reading nonfiction. I can’t pinpoint what made me pick this up but I’m infinitely glad I did.

Mama’s Boy is an extremely heartwarming and heartbreaking look at where DLB came from, what he’s been through, and what makes him who he is. I hadn’t realized all that he has fought for and accomplished in his life.

This book will bless you. DLB is a truly inspiring man and I’m grateful that he has shared his story.

Note: be sure to have an abundance of tissues at hand while reading. 😭🤧♥️🏳️‍🌈

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this achingly beautiful tribute to his mother, Dustin Lance Black accounts his mother’s lifelong challenges beginning with childhood polio, to his Mormon upbringing, her belief and support in him as he came out to the world, and his activism for the LGBTQ community. Black’s heartbreaking and inspirational memoir capture critical moments in his life that lead to his work as an artist, screenwriter, and activist. Highly recommend.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this inspirational and moving memoir. It’s about coming out and reaching out, activism and family love, and the courageous woman and mother whose story and wisdom inspires her son and in turn can inspire us all. Lance writes about how the personal stories we tell can help bridge differences and ultimately change hearts, and with this book he certainly does that and more.

[Eddie Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very impressive work - a highly emotive weaving together of personal memoir and political activism, with a tight narrative structure. I found it difficult to put down once I got into it. A compelling portrait of the author’s mother, his wider family, and the state of the USA today.

[Andrew Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has taken me a long time to read this book. I made a start over a year ago but it kept on being put back by other books I needed to read (for my book group) and ones I just fancied more. Having said that, there was plenty to keep me engaged. So let's look at the strengths and the problems with Mama's Boy.

The biggest problem is that this is several books in one:

1. A biography of Black's mother, born in 1948, in a dirt poor rural America. She contacted polio at the age of two, lost the use of her legs and could easily have spent the rest of her life in institutions. She was told she would never walk, have a normal life, get married, have children. Through great force of will, she achieves all these goals - against all the odds.

2. Black's story of realising at six he was different and trying to cope with growing up gay in a Mormon household. Throw in the problems of being poor and how the Mormon church 'engineered' the marriage between Black's mother (who had been abandoned by her husband for his own cousin) and another man in the congregation whose wife has left him. What they don't tell her is that he is violent and dangerous. Black's own coming out is delayed by his fear of being disowned by his mother. (Mormons are pay masters for a lot of the anti-gay campaigns in the USA). This is by far the most satisfying part of the story but the 'goodness' of his mother means the outcome is not really in doubt.

3. Black's attempts to get the story of Harvey Milk (1st openly gay politician) made into a movie - which goes onto win a couple of Oscars.

4. Black's involvement with the campaign for marriage equality in the USA.

He works hard to justify all these elements being in the same book but despite enjoying the film MILK - the story of it being made did not really capture my imagination. The same with the ins and outs of gay politics (gradualism v confrontation), they were a little dull too. There is also big hole in the coming out story in that he accepts he is gay (and lusts after people not interested), then there is a huge leap and a couple of small references to his husband to be (Olympian Tom Daley) but despite talking a lot about love and family - we only really feel it about his biological family and all his love for men is academic rather than shown. So his journey to self acceptance and love does not really emotionally land.

Having said all that, Black writes really well. He is an agreeable companion and unusual in straddling the liberal gay world and the conservative deep south and finding a language common to both. A world I did not know, brought to life in all its vibrancy.

[Liv Cornelius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read: I don’t think so.

Wow, what a book.

This is probably the best autobiography/memoir I have read. It’s raw, it’s heartfelt, it’s honest. It’s beautifully written. The context, pacing and just everything about this book was so well done.

Lance’s life story is truly inspiring and it’s interesting to see his relationships with things that have shaped him to the person he is. His values in family, his religion, his country. His sexuality, his strive for equality. It’s a joyful and heartbreaking read.

For DLB to have such a good relationship with his religion and country I find baffling personally, but I think it’s another testament to his character and the way he was raised. Given the way the LDS church treated his mum/family when they were victims of domestic abuse and the treatment from the US healthcare system for his mum suffering from polio and cancer and his brother for cancer, left me personally confused with how you can be so hopeful and patriotic of a country that has treated you so poorly.

The work DLB has done for the LGBT community in America is outstanding, this made for a truly inspirational read, just annoyed at myself for not having read it sooner given I got the book when it first came out. Now to find more things written/produced by DLB.

[Annika Wehrle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a powerful story.

[Vince Defreitas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't normally do book reviews, but after reading this I almost feel duty bound to convince anyone and everyone I can to pick this up and read it.

It is genuinely one of the most touching books I've ever read, and will ever have the chance to read in my lifetime, and I'm incredibly grateful to DLB for sharing his story in such an honest and frank way.

One of the key things to take out of this book is that stories change lives. The story of DLB and his relationship with his mother is beautifully told - it feels as if someone has physically reached into his heart and carefully plucked the words and put them on paper.

I've never cried reading a book before but I was a complete and utter mess by the end. The tears were a complete mixture of emotions but one thing's for sure - if everyone were to read this book, the world would be a better place. This experience will stay with me forever. Please, please, please - read this book.

[Jane Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my what a book! This was a book group book and I must admit, to begin with, I wasn't really looking forward to reading it, but once I started I was hooked. Lance writes so well and with an easy style and the story seemed to flow out of him quite naturally. All the hardships he and his brothers and his mum went through were quite horrific, and to come out of that as well as they did was just amazing. The angsting he went through as well was hard to read - this was such an emotional book! I was feeling emotional myself anyway and was in pieces at some bits in the book. But very glad I have read it and hope that the rest of his life can pan out in peace and love.

[Vallie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning.

I am not a wordsmith but Dustin Lance Black is a masterful one and his true personal life story is so incredibly moving -I am completely overwhelmed by what this man has experienced and achieved in his life.

A must read.

[Alonso · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book full of heart, soul and joy. Lance’s memoir is engaging, endearing, inspiring. I laughed, cried and got excited going through the pages of this book. I cannot describe how moved I was with the story of Lance and his mom.

[Kenneth Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book for anyone gay straight or anywhere in between!

[Laura Hutcheson · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a truly inspiring book. His mother’s story is good, but the writer is overly dramatic.

[Paula´s Brief Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

No suelo leer memorias y esta es la primera que leo de alguien aún vivo porque para mi gusto dar por hecho que a la gente le interesa tu vida es un ejercicio de egocentrismo sublime, por supuesto cuentas lo que quieres y como lo quieres y la mayoría no están ni siquiera escritas por el personaje en cuestión , pero hice una excepción con éste porque además de ser escritor, por lo cual damos por hecho que no ha utilizado un "negro" que le haga el trabajo, he visto varias entrevistas con él y me resulta un tipo interesante.
El libro tiene muchos peros, no profundiza en nada, se ve que no quería que indagásemos mucho en su vida y se ciñe a contar anécdotas de su vida y de su familia sin más, es muy guion de película , pero he de reconocer que resulta muy ameno.
Él me sigue cayendo bien pero quiero pensar que es mejor escritor que esto y me decepcionó un poco, creo que enfocó mal el libro queriendo abarcar muchas cosas, su madre, su hermano, su Oscar y su lucha como activista y sin querer que realmente lo conociésemos a él internamente por lo que le quedó flojito porque todo pasa muy rápido y muy "cogido por los pelos".
3.5* porque no soy objetiva con el escrito, me sigue cayendo genial, sino pondría menos estrellas.

[Lionel Andrei · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminds me of Chasten Buttigieg’s “I Have Something To Tell You” only this was set in the south. I was left in awe of Anne’s incredible strength, fortitude, grit and human-ness. I was bawling by the last chapters as the author recounts her final days. I feel like if she can do the things that she has done, I can do what I set myself to do, and I feel a sense of shame when I think about the times I slack at work.

There are so many things in this book that I feel like talking to someone about. If you want first row education on rural south, poverty, treatment of LGBTQ members in the US, this book tells more.

This was a long read but worth it.

[Chris Boneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving tribute to an indomitable mother. A force of nature who had every reason to give up. She was a true inspiration to so many and I loved hearing her story told by her loving son. Lance Black is also a hero to so many. I finished this book in tears.

[Jo Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though this is a memoir, it really is a lovely tribute to Black's mother, who overcame both tremendous physical obstacles, but also the prejudiced Mormon teachings she was burdened with. In particular, she went against the church's teachings in finally reporting physical and mental abuse by husbands, to find true love, and then against them to accept her son's homosexuality, and to fully love him. Geez, I can't even write this review without crying, so imagine how moved I was READING this book!

I will watch Milk again, in honor of Dustin Lance Black!

[Mya · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5