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School Safety Seen as an Issue in Award-Winning Film

Celebrities Co-Hosting Coming-Out Comedy's Premiere

Story-line Follows First Steps of a High School Student

Compiled By GayToday

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Ben Silverstone (right) plays coming out Steven Carter while Brad Gorton stars as sexy jock John Dixon
Los Angeles, California—Actresses and actors Ellen DeGeneres, Anne Heche, Sir Ian McKellen as well as Academy Award-winning writer/director Bill Condon (Gods and Monsters) have joined forces with Parents and Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) to co-host the April 26 West Coast premiere of Paramount Classics' award-winning film Get Real.

The celebrated feature film debut follows a young man in high school as he takes his first steps out of the closet, seeking the acceptance of his parents, teachers and fellow students. The issues he faces as a gay student mirror the reality of many sexual minority youths' lives.

"Because of PFLAG's commitment to safe schools, and our work in advocating for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth, we are very excited about this film and its positive message for all people," said PFLAG Executive Director Kirsten Kingdon.

"This is the first time in our organization's 25-year history that we have gotten behind the release of a feature film," Kingdon added. "The messages of acceptance and unconditional love which lie at the heart of Get Real speak to the core of PFLAG's existence, and we are extremely proud to join Ellen DeGeneres, Anne Heche, Sir Ian McKellen and Bill Condon in supporting its premiere."

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Related Sites:
Get Real: Official Site

P-FLAG

GayToday does not endorse related sites.

PFLAG parents say they're pleased to be on hand at the movie's premiere, showing support for this affirming film. "As the mother of a gay son, I am very excited to see such an honest depiction of a gay youth. I am particularly moved by the film's portrayal of the parent-child relationship and the way in which the parents accept their son's sexuality," said PFLAG mom Peggy Olsen.

Winner of the 1998 Edinburgh Film Festival Audience Award, the 1998 Dinard Film Festival Audience/Best Cinematography Awards, Get Real was an Official Selection at the 1998 Toronto and 1999 Sundance Film Festivals.

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Cast of Get Real playing sexually-confused teens
The film was directed by Simon Shore, written by Patrick Wilde (based on his stage play What's Wrong With Angry?), produced by Stephen Taylor, and executive produced by Anant Singh and Helena Spring. Paramount Classics will open Get Real in New York and Los Angeles on April 30th, and nationally throughout May. It will play, say concerned parents, with continued PFLAG support.


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