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Despite the hype, I went that night expecting to be its worst critic. After all, how plausible is a story where a West Hollywood guy seduces a Mormon missionary who lives next door in WeHo? Would the story be credible when we all know that missionary companions are inseparable? Also, I feared that it would be a light fluff joke with little that matched our lives as Gay Mormons.

The 1,200 seat theater was sold out and filled beyond capacity as THE movie that everyone wanted to see. Yes, the plot situation was initially implausible, but once I got beyond that question mark I realized that I was experiencing something miraculous. One of the reasons I go to 30+ films at OUTFEST each year is to see our lives on the big screen. But never did I expect to see it so poignantly shown with such depth about so much that was my life as a Gay Mormon.

For most people it was the great gay romance of the year, and that it was, but for some of us we cheered and sobbed as we watched with both wonder and pain. Although not absolutely pure in every detail, the film achieved the essence of our lives, as well as incredible detail about church and family dynamics and right on down to the look-alike garments and the number present for an excommunication court. It was so realistic that it was scary. I felt exposed as the particulars of my experience and of others I know was brazenly spread across the big screen for all to behold. I could tell you more about the story, but that would ruin the journey you should experience for yourself.

Afterwards, during closing credits, the film received a prolonged standing ovation from absolutely EVERYONE, no easy feat considering that the L.A. gay and lesbian audience is a tough crowd, many of whom work in the film and television industry. And on Awards night it received the highest audience voted honor as the "HBO Outstanding First Narrative Feature" (yes, that HBO, who kicked in the only cash prize of the evening).

This is a movie that absolutely EVERY Church member should see, although not all of us would take our mothers due to brief scenes with nudity and sex. But for those you can bring, you will be rewarded for the journey about our lives of faith versus who we love.

P.S.: Watch for "Angels in America" on HBO this December, starring Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson, Mary Louise Parker, and others.