Actor Ryan Kelley to Join Dayton Parents to Celebrate the Premiere of New Film Prayers for Bobby

Actor Ryan Kelley to Join Dayton Parents to Celebrate the Premiere of New Film Prayers for Bobby

Kelley Joins PFLAG to Talk About Playing 'Bobby' in Lifetime TV Film Debuting January 24

DAYTON, Ohio, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Actor Ryan Kelley, star of the new Lifetime Television film Prayers for Bobby, will join the Dayton chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) on Sunday, January 25 in an event to celebrate the film's release and talk about his own experience bringing the acclaimed novel to the screen. Prayers, which debuts one night earlier on Lifetime, also stars Sigourney Weaver, and tells the true story of a 1970s religious, suburban housewife and mother who struggles to accept her gay teenage son, portrayed by Kelley. Following his suicide, Weaver turns to PFLAG in her journey toward becoming an ally for lesbian and gay equality.

"We are extraordinarily excited to welcome Kelley to Ohio for this special PFLAG event," said Jan Couchman, the chapter's president. "Prayers is a unique opportunity to show the role PFLAG plays in so many parents' lives, and Kelley's visit underscores the priority that both PFLAG and the film's cast have placed on changing hearts in the heartland. Though Prayers is a Hollywood production, its impact will be felt most in places like Dayton, where families turn to PFLAG as they learn to embrace and celebrate their lesbian and gay children."

Kelley will join PFLAG on Sunday, January 25th at 3 pm, at Cross Creek Community Church. The event, which is free and open to the public, will include screening scenes from the film and a discussion with Kelley about his role. Seating is limited, and RSVPs are requested to daytonpflag@yahoo.com or by calling 937-426-8037.

Kelley began his acting career with commercials, appearing in more than 50 since the age of two. He is best known for his role on Smallville as drifter Ryan James. Additional television credits include guest-starring roles on Women's Murder Club, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Cold Case and Boston Legal. Kelley also appeared in the film Stolen Summer, made as part of the Project Greenlight documentary series. More recently, he costarred in Letters from Iwo Jima, Still Green and Mean Creek.

"All of us at PFLAG know that the story of Bobby is one that plays out in the living rooms of Dayton and our country every day," said Couchman. "Ryan Kelley's visit is an opportunity to show our own community that they are not alone and that PFLAG and our families are here to help. We look forward to welcoming Dayton to this once-in-a-lifetime event, and to hearing Kelley's own story about the importance of Prayers."

For more information on this event, visit www.pflagdayton.org.

Source: Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)

CONTACT: Kim Peters, +1-937-623-8669, or Jan Couchman, +1-937-248-8621,
both of PFLAG

Web Site: http://www.pflag.org/
http://www.pflagdayton.org/

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