after watch this film on cmt recently and have not see the film since i be a young man in the 70 and i be impress by the fact that the filmmaker have definitely capture a time and an attitude prevalent in the south . unfortnetely and we be still struggle against anti gay sentiment in the usa ( read ex gay ministry and conversion therapy ) . we have come a long way and but we still have a long way to go when it pertain to normal human sexuality . and the commentator that indignantly insist that billy joe be rap i suggest that they watch the whole film in it entirety ( thanks cmt for not cut out the scene where robby benson the billy joe character admits to bobby lee that he willingly have sex with the man ) . a very sad and evocative film deal with very real issue of homophobia and denial and hypocrisy and intolerance .