Marlo Thomas' gay son comes out to her in 1985 TV movie "Consenting Adult"

Marlo Thomas starred in some really terrific TV movies- including "Nobody's Child", "Reunion", "Deceit", and "In the Spirit" (which was released in theaters.)

In this clip, Marlo drives to her son's college when he decides he needs to tell her that he's gay.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• gay
• homosexual
• made
• for
• TV
• movie
• of
• the
• week
• Lifetime
• LMN
• chick
• flick
• mother
• mom
• coming
• out
• closet

[chicagoproduction]

This extraordinary TV movie had a massive impact on me as a small-town kid who felt very much like Barry Tubb's character here. The acting is so powerful, and Marlo Thomas is so honest and true in her scenes with both Tubb and Martin Sheen -- really a great piece of work. Tremendously moving for its time and TV format. Seeing this scene again brought back many memories. Her acting is so fine - you can see the trembling beneath her reassurance to her son, keeping it together while falling apart.

[OldNewsThinker]

"Are you in trouble? Is there a girl involved?" - Oh! The irony!

...and the music sounds as if it belongs in Harry Potter

[MrDennisatthebeach]

Well I don't think any parent says YAHOO! my son or daughter is gay. Because they know society will be hard on them. But then society is pretty hard on anyone who is'nt a straight , white male.But I think in recent years ( keeping in mind this movie is over 25 years old) I suspect straight white males are really feeling emasculated to a point.

[hbfarker]

I'm surprised they didn't use the word 'gay' back then. Of course if you say, "I'm a homosexual." it's going to sound horrible.

I remember watching this when I was in the closet 25 years ago. It really was a groundbreaking movie. Although, after watching this scene it almost feels like you're watching a horror movie with the ominous music. It's 2012 and things have definitely changed for the better.

[muszles]

I was in high school when this movie came out. it was the first time a gay story was on tv....dealing with coming out. It was serious back then, but in today's world, this movie looks primitive. Funny how society evolves.

[RodTalon00]

Looking back on this... seems so ancient, the way people are scared to come out as gay. We will look back in the future at how silly the whole thing was...

[shyathena34]

@clouseau186 The Molly Ringwald/Zack Galligan movie was called Surviving and you're right it was good. It was also one of River Pheonix's first films. Anyway the movie made me cry.

[gattaca5000]

This was a lifesaver of a film for me. It really resonated. I wasn't a college jock or anything but but seeing a masculine gay man really encouraged me to finally com.

I'm sure there were many guys in similar situations back then. I hope coming out has gotten easier.

[bjb29407]

this movie was important to me too when i came out 1985. i was in the second year of medical school then.

[shmoker2010]

I saw this when I was 12 years told and in middle school. I also lived in a small town. This movie made a huge difference to me, making me feel that although some family and friends would not be okay (at least not at first) I was not alone and I was eventually going to have a happy future. I would love to see this again.

[clouseau186]

@chicagoproduction So did I and please read my comments. I graduated high school when this came out in 1985. I was struggling with feelings of isolation and grief and this film made me feel better. I read your comments and don't know how old you are but sounds like we had similar paths to cross. I have been looking for this film for years. There was also another film that you might remember called survivors or surviving with Zach Galligan and Molly Ringwald. Circa 1985 It waas good.