Kids Coming Out

“is a 2006 LGBT biography television film directed by award-winning director Agnieszka Hollandand aired on Lifetime Television. The story documents the real life of Gwen Araujo, born Edward Araujo, Jr., a transgender teenager who was murdered after it was discovered by acquaintances that she had male genitalia. Scenes depicting the murder trial are shown alternating with the story of Gwen’s life.

The movie stars J. D. Pardo as Eddie/Gwen, Mercedes Ruehl as her mother, and Avan Jogia as her brother, Danny. It premiered on the Lifetime Television network in the US on June 19, 2006.” (summary from wikipedia).

This is one of the better LGBTQ films to be released with in the past few years. Its acting is astounding and has a realistic and raw portrayal of the people being depicted. It also gives a insightful look into the mind of child dealing with gender identity issues. The movie is heartbreaking and may bring tears to your eyes by its end.

Next to “Boys Don’t Cry” this is one of the most realistic, well-acted and directed films about transgender youth. 

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• Breakfast With Scot -The hockey career of former Toronto Maple Leaf Eric McNally, who was known as a tough enforcer, came to an end with a shoulder injury. He is now a sportscaster. Except to his assistant Nula, what he hasn’t told his work colleagues is that he is gay and that he is in a long term relationship with a sports lawyer named Sam. Eric feels that he can’t be openly gay as an ex-hockey player or as a public figure still associated with professional hockey. Eric and Sam’s life is turned upside down when they take temporary custody of Scot Latour, whose drug addict mother, Julie, recently passed away from a drug overdose. Julie assigned custody of Scot to her ex-boyfriend, Billy, who is Sam’s deadbeat brother. Sam is certain that Billy will eventually come for Scot when he learns that Julie’s insurance money also comes with custody. Having only had Julie’s influence in his life, Scot is a flamboyant adolescent, who wears make-up, a feather boa and his mother’s charm bracelet, and who loves musicals and singing Christmas carols. As they all wait for Billy’s arrival, Eric, despite not being Scot’s father, and Scot have to figure out how to come to terms with each other - Scot being a boy who expresses himself freely whatever the consequences, and Eric always being concerned about maintaining a macho exterior - within their temporary guardian/charge relationship.
• Mysterious Skin - A teenage hustler and a young man obsessed with alien abductions cross paths, together discovering a horrible, liberating truth.
• But I’m a Cheerleader - A naive teenager is sent to rehab camp when her straitlaced parents and friends suspect her of being a lesbian.
• Boys Don’t Cry - The story of the life of Brandon Teena, a transgendered teen who preferred life in a male identity until it was discovered he was born biologically female.
• 2:37 - A contemporary, ensemble drama telling the complex tale of six high school students whose lives are interwoven with situations that so many of today’s youth are faced with. The story takes place during a normal school day. At precisely 2:37 a tragedy will occur, affecting the lives of a group of students and their teachers. As the story unfolds, the individual stories of the six teenagers are revealed, each with its own explosive significance. An unwanted pregnancy unravels a terrible, dark secret; all is not as it appears for the seemingly confident school football hero; an outcast must deal with everyday taunts from his peers; a beautiful young girl battles an eating disorder; a stellar student constantly struggles to win his parents’ approval; while another uses drugs to escape from his own demons
• Milk - The story of Harvey Milk, and his struggles as an American gay activist who fought for gay rights and became California’s first openly gay elected official.
• Brokeback Mountain -The story of a forbidden and secretive relationship between two cowboys and their lives over the years.
• The Laramie Project - is a 2002 drama film written and directed by Moisés Kaufman. Based on the play of the same name, the film tells the story of the aftermath of the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming. It premiered at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival and was first broadcast on HBO in March 2002.
• Prayers for Bobby - True story of Mary Griffith, gay rights crusader, whose teenage son committed suicide due to her religious intolerance. Based on the book of the same title by Leroy Aarons.
• A Girl Like Me: The Gwen Araujo Story - The true story of Gwen Araujo, a young transgendered woman who was brutally murdered by four men in 2002.
• The Matthew Shepard Story - Based on the true story of openly gay college studentMatthew Shepard, killed in an act of senseless violence and cruelty, that attracted national attention.
• Phoebe in Wonderland - Confounded by her clashes with the seemingly rule-obsessed world, a troubled young girl seeks enlightenment from her unconventional drama teacher. 

summaries taken from (imdb.com)

This is the film that caused the start of the Trevor Project and the gay teen suicide hotline. It also one and Academy Award.