All language subtitles for the_truth_about_Jane_WEBRip ENG

I'd like to say
that in the beginning I was easier,

but truth be told, I was as bigger pain
then as I turned out to be later.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Right now the unbreakable bond
between a mother and daughter

was about to be born.

So just listen and watch
and pay attention.

Look, look.

Hi, baby.

God, she is beautiful!

You've changed
our lives forever, baby.

If he only knew…

Mom and dad
had waited a long time for a kid.

They tried everything
so you can only imagine

how many hopes and dreams
were pinned on me,

their firstborn,
even though I was a potted plant.

- Honey…
- What?

I can't hear Jane.
She's not making any noise.

She's fairly asleep.

Just like I was.

Robert, you gotta calm down.
Go back to sleep.

No, no, no.
I'm gonna check on her.

It took us this long to have a baby.
I'm damned if I'm gonna let her suffocate.

You are insane.

Okay, fine.
I'm coming too.

- What are you doing?
- I don't want her turning red.

That was a seminal moment for me.

And yes, I do too, remember it.

Babies know way more stuff that goes on
than you think.

And from that moment on
I felt like the spotlight was on me,

but I've never gotten used to it.

- Turn that light off!
- Sorry, sorry.

To make it through year one
is quite an accomplishment.

Although no one ever gives you
an "utta boy" for it,

they really should.

And another thing I learned that year is
that if parents could crazy glue us to them,

they would.

My mother was pregnant
and ready to pop again

and I stupidly thought
that when Brad was born

he'd take
some of the pressure off me.

Boy, was I wrong.

This was also
the goo-goo-ga-ga period.

It's a little dull,
so let's jump ahead, shall we?

I wish our parents
were here to see this.

Both mom and dad's
parents were dead.

I missed not
having grandparents.

They missed not
having parents more.

- How long are we gonna sit here?
- A long time.

My mother knew that some day
she was going to have to let me go.

"Run free, little one".

But she didn't want it to be
on this day or any day soon.

And so began
the parents witness protection programme.

Honey, she's got to go to school
and I've got to go to work.

So either we do this as a family
or I'll take her in myself.

How important
is kindergarten anyway?

I can't remember it. Can you?

It's not the point.

What is the point?

The point is
we can't protect her forever.

- Why not?
- It's not healthy.

And it's healthy
that you are not protecting her?

Honey, she's gotta be around kids.
She has to start developing social skills.

Why?

Oh, this is nuts.
I am taking her in.

Come on! Let's go.

Are you coming?

No. I want her to have
the memory of you leaving.

Blackmail is an interesting thing
if you use it properly.

My mother had a black belt in it.

My mother wanted to be a dancer.
But she'll tell you about that later.

Let's just say
her expectations were way too high.

They hugged us so tightly

that you could almost hear the air
escape from our tiny little bodies.

- You were wonderful.
- You were brilliant.

We were awful.
Moving on.

Hey, baby, how you feeling?

Come on, sweetie.
Here, drink this.

Come on, make you feel better.
Promise.

My parents loved me
more than life itself.

But it was my mother who truly would have
cut off her right arm had I asked her to.

Not quite sure why
but you get the picture.

Let's get to the good stuff.

Let's get to where my life
really started, okay?

It's a very important day.

This is when things
suddenly begin to fall into place.

Our little girl, all grown up,

first day of high school.

Janey, all the world is at your feet.

Dad, mom,
I gotta go.

Just let your father and I
share this moment with you.

All right.
But any more moments

and your little girl is gonna be late
for her first day of school.

That's not a good way for me
to start my wonder years, is it?

- Get out of the car.
- Hold it. Hold it.

- You're forgetting.
- Come on. Come on.

If I'm seen doing this
I'm gonna be branded for life.

From now on,
I'm walking to school

by myself.

- Got it?
- Yeah, we got it.

I don't think so.

I'm Ms. Walcott
and I will be your English teacher

through your tortuous first year
of high school.

And I guarantee that you'll make it
through the experience alive.

Now, I'm pretty easy to get along with
as long as you follow a few of my simple rules:

One, if you show me respect,
I'll show it to you

and two,
if you have any questions ask me,

and three,
if you're feeling overwhelmed

and need somebody to talk to,
you can talk to me.

I know it's hard to believe

but I am not so old that I can't relate
to what you might be going through.

So, let's hit the book, shall we?
I want you to turn to page 424

in Latin language…

The beauty of reading
is that it's personal,

it's your interpretation.

It's what you think,
it's what you feel,

it's what you see…

And that's
what makes it so magical.

And I hope that if you learn
nothing else from me

I set you learned to love words.

They'll save you someday.
Trust me on that.

Have a great lunch!

Jane, over here!

I can't believe you're not in our class.
Who do you get?

Ms. Walcott. She's cool, though.
She is my guidance counselor too.

Your luck just never ends.

We got a bonehead, Mr. Speavek.

That's the new boy.

Oh, is he a hottie or what?

Oh, my god, Jane!
He smiled at you!

Why did he smile at you?
Why not at me?

Competition is an ugly quality.

One I can honestly say
was not a problem for me.

Although I had many other problems,
that was not one of them.

Hi, I'm Ned.

Elizabeth, Betsy,
Claire and Jane.

Nice meeting you.

Jane's got a boyfriend.
Jane's got a boyfriend.

Leave me alone, dweebs.
I'm not interested.

You are an idiot then.
He was positively drooling.

- So?
- So, don't be retarded.

He's like the cutest guy
I've ever seen here

except for Todd Burkin,
captain of the football team

who I am going after studying today.
But back to you,

we need to jumpstart your hormones.
You're way behind.

And that's where
the fingerpointing began.

- Brad, stop it. I'm doing homework.
- So?

- Mom!
- What is it honey?

I was in here first
and I need to do my homework.

- Brad, turn the Nintendo off.
- But why?

- Your sister's studying.
- She always gets her way.

You go wash up for dinner.

I should have been a girl,
then you'd be nicer to me.

- Goodness.
- You'd have been an ugly girl.

Jane!

As you can tell,
I didn't much care for my brother.

I don't even know why
but I think it's mandatory.

Janey, be nice to your brother.

Why?

Lost about with your homework?

Yeah, it's Math.

Sorry, can't help you there.

But how did you
get through it in school?

I didn't.

What were you good at?

Mmm. English, recess…

You are a lot smarter
than I was at your age.

- You do fine.
- I think not.

What do you say if Saturday,
the two of us, just the girls,

do the shopping,
go to movies, just…

just chill.

It's not the phrase, just "chill"?

No. It's "hang".

Oh, "hang".

What do you say?

I would say you're the bomb.

Oh, I'm the bomb.
Oh, I'm the bomb. Great!

And at the time, I meant it
with all of my little heart.

So, how do you like high school?

It's okay.

In compare to what,
anal surgery?

Bob, you just find it thrilling
because you don't have to go through it again.

If you wanted to go back that far,
if you can really remember,

it was pretty rough. You know,
new kids, new teachers,

don't know where to go,
all the questions…

Brad, dinner!

Sweetheart, we have to start planning
your sweet sixteen party.

Why? It's months away.

You never start too early
planning really important events.

I really don't want a party.

What? Everybody wants
a sweet sixteen party.

Everyone but me.

I don't know.
What teenage girl especially

doesn't wanna have
a sweet sixteen party?

You know,
it's what every kid should have.

Wait a second, who are you?

The Janice I've known all these years
never did anything that was expected ever.

Yeah, what happened
to the "hell with society" girl

we all used to know and love?

She became a mother.

A mother?

Jane Fonda, meet Nancy Reagan.

Ooo. Ouch! That is cold.

But accurate.

How did you do at that Math test?

Hum. I think I'll pick out a C.

I'm so proud of you.

You're the only member of this family
who hasn't flunked Math.

Thanks.

So are there cute boys at this school?

Mom, I just started going there.

Sorry.

Did you have a boyfriend
right away in high school?

Yeah.

When did you first have sex?

Excuse me?

I know you know the answer.

Yes, I do.
I'm just trying to remember. I was 21.

- You're such a liar.
- Yes, I am.

Did you always wanna have kids?

As far back as I can remember

Why didn't you stick with dancing?

I wasn't really very good at it.

And I tried to be a writer,
I had passion for it.

But what I really had passion for
is being a mother.

Best job in the world.

I'm kinda glad
you are good at anything.

Do me a favor.
Next Math test, just pick out a B.

- I'll try.
- Thank you very much.

Your reading assignment
is going to be "Crime and punishment".

I'm kidding!

Okay.

Sorry I'm late.

Paper work took longer
than I planned for.

It's okay.
Just take a seat in the back.

So, as I was saying,

we're gonna find
something exciting for you to read.

- Hi, I'm Taylor.
- Hi, I'm Jane.

Hi, Jane.

She was different.
Smarter, wiser…

Maybe it was just
because she wasn't from here.

But maybe it was just her.

I don't know
but I'm gonna go with the last one

and I should know because Taylor
would end up changing my life.

Hi.
I didn't mean to scare you.

You didn't.

I'm a little behind on what books
we need on some of the assignments.

- Do you think you could fill me in?
- Sure!

You're my savior.

Without you I wouldn't go that far.

Hi. What are you doing?

Oh, this is Taylor.
She just transferred here

so I'm just helping her
catch up on her assignments.

This is Elizabeth
and Betsy and Claire.

Hi.

Going to the movies tonight,
you wanna come?

Oh, I can't.
I have to baby-sit my brother

See you tomorrow then.

Hey, would it be okay
if I came over tonight?

- We can go over this stuff.
- Yeah.

- About 8 o'clock?
- Sure.

Excuse me,
is the butler's night off?

Answer the door!

- Hi.
- You do look nice.

Thank you.

You guys double-dating?

I am not his type,
the wrong height.

Ha ha ha, funny.

Hi, Brad.

What is this, Halloween?

Oh, I forgot to tell you, mom.
There's a new girl at school who's coming over

so I can help her
catch up on classroom.

- Hello.
- Hi, I'm Taylor.

Hi, Taylor.
I'm Janice, Jane's mother.

This is Jimmy and Beth.
This is Taylor.

- Hi.
- Hi, Taylor.

And the one on the couch in a coma,
staring at the screen is Brad.

Brad!

Robert, this is Taylor.

This is Jane's friend.
They're gonna do some homework together.

Great. Hi, Taylor.

So, Taylor, you're from around here.

- Janice, we really don't have enough time.
- Yeah, wait, we have a minute.

- What do your parents do?
- My parents were divorced when I was 6

and I live with my mom,
she works full time for the phone company.

Do you have any brothers, sisters?

- Mom!
- Jane, it's okay. I can take it.

So, anybody else have any questions?

Yeah, do you have any pets?

Funny, really funny.

The number where we'll be is on the fridge
if you need us. Just in case.

Bye, sweetie.

Bye, Spork!

Bye, Brad.
Not too late.

Brad, turn it off.
I have company.

Who cares?

Go play your computer
'cause next time I won't aim so high.

Sorry, I think he's adopted.

Yeah, must be rough.

But even having a jerk as a younger brother
is better than not having one at all.

You go to high school
full of fear and excitement.

So many emotions
that your body can barely handle,

all the things rising through it.

And then it gets worse
just when you thought
it couldn't get any more complicated.

Why wasn't I like my friends?
Why wasn't I like everyone else?

Why couldn't I
just like a boy named Ned?

I was in trouble.

Big, big trouble.

I had a crush on a girl.

- Hey, Jane!
- Oh, hey!

- You know Taylor, right?
- Yeah.

- How are things?
- Fine.

Right, see you later.

- The boy, does he have a crush on you!
- No, he doesn't.

Yes, he does.

I don't blame him.

Did anyone have trouble
with "Wuthering Heights"?

Kate?

I thought it was hard to read
'cause it was so sad.

Anyone else? Grant?

I thought it was so much about love
and should have had more story.

Jane?

I think all the greatest stories
ever written are about love

no matter what plot
they're wrapped in.

Jane's right.

Love is complicated.

And with that sadness
is great beauty.

But how about next time,

I'll give you something
a little more fun to read.

Jane, what are you doing here?

Well, you haven't been in school

and I called a couple of times.
I was worried.

I wanted to come by
to see if you are okay.

Are you okay?

Yeah, I'm fine. I just
can't come to school for a while.

Taylor? Taylor, where are you?

You don't come here right now,
you are going to be so sorry.

You hear me?
I'm your mother, for god's sake!

Look, you shouldn't have come, okay?
I'll call you when I can.

Taylor!

At that moment,
I thanked God for my mother.

Maybe the reason Taylor seemed
so much more grown-up than the rest of us

is because she was forced to grow up
faster than the rest of us.

- Hey.
- Hey.

I was wondering if maybe
we can get together sometime.

Go to movies or something.

Why couldn't I just say "yes"?
My life would've been so much easier.

I like you, Ned, but
I don't really want a boyfriend right now.

It's okay.
How about a friend?

Okay.

Hey, Jane.
Why aren't you talking?

What could I possibly
have to say to you?

- Jane, what's the matter with you?
- Nothing.

Hey, Spork,
you wanna pass the salt?

Something is the matter with you
'cause you've been snapping
at everybody lately.

I told you nothing is wrong.

I wish I could have told her
that I had so many feelings

running through me,
things I didn't even understand.

But I couldn't tell her.
I didn't even know how to put it into words.

- Can I be excused?
- No, stay and finish your dinner.

I'm not hungry.

You can go, Jane.
You're excused.

If I say one thing
don't undercut me and say another.

Why do you always
have to have the last word?

I told.

Come in.

I probably should've
let you just go to your room.

But I got upset.

You haven't been yourself lately.
I worry about you.

I know you do.
It's just growing pains.

You know
you can tell me anything.

You may find this
difficult to believe

but I actually went
through this myself once.

I'm your mother, I'm your friend,
I just wanna help you.

It's okay.
Don't worry.

Your friend Taylor's here.
You want for company?

Yeah.

You would've had to be blind
not to see me light up at Taylor's name.

But thank god
parents don't have a clue sometimes.

If a kid were drunk or stoned
and fell over in front of them

they'd convinced themselves
that it was an inner-ear problem.

- Hi.
- Hi.

- Are you okay?
- No.

I know my mom's having a rough time
taking care of me

and making ends meet but

it never gets any better.

She blames me for the divorce.

When she looks at me

she sees him

and she goes crazy.

I…

I could take the hitting

if I just knew
that someday it might stop.

It'll be okay.

Did this make me gay?

No. It was just
an innocent crush phase.

At least that's what
I kept telling myself.

But I also know that
it was the first moment in my life

that I ever felt
connected to someone.

What do you say,
I pick you up after school, we go somewhere?

- Like where?
- I don't know. Anywhere you want.

I can't.
I have plans with Taylor.

Don't get me wrong,
I really like Taylor but

whatever happened to Elizabeth,
Betsy and Claire?

You hardly ever
see them anymore.

They're still my friends.
I just have a new one.

I knew
I was hurting my old friends

but they were never
gonna get along with Taylor.

I had to choose and

with the feelings I had for her
she was bound to win.

- I'm really glad I moved here.
- I am too.

Do you think Taylor's awfully
mature for her age?

No, not really.

I think Jane's been spending
far too much time with her.

It's not healthy.

Why? They're friends.

She hasn't been seeing her other friends.
She is not dating and she's almost 16.

We'll talk about this some other time.

She should be going out with boys,

She should be giving us
a heart attack by now.

Yeah, well. You are not gonna win me
over your side.

I'm not? Why?

'Cause I'd prefer
that Jane never dated a boy
for as long as she lived.

It's just…

You know what boys want.

What was your name again?

Finals are just around the corner.

If you need help studying, just ask
and I'll stay late and help you.

So, just let me know, okay?

I love you too.

It didn't matter
how much they liked Ms. Walcott.

Kids are like pets and dogs.
When they hear the bell, they gotta go.

So my mom is out of town tonight.
Do you wanna come over?

Sure.

It would have been nice if you had told me
before I made dinner

that you wouldn't be home for it.

- What's the big deal?
- What's the big deal?

I cook all day for this family
which you are a part of.

You cook every night.
Like I said, what's the big whoop?

Excuse me!
"What's the big whoop"?

You just watch your tone
with me, young lady.

Boy, you are turning into
such a smart ass.

You are never like this
when you are around your other friends.

What, you wanna
blame this on Taylor?

You know, what you can't stand is
that I'd rather be with her

than with you.

What was I doing there?

I still had time to leave.
She would never have known.

I could have said
I had food poisoning

or cramps.
That's a good one! Cramps.

Who was I kidding?

I wanted to be there,
ready or not.

- Are you sure you wanna do this?
- No.

- Do you wanna stop?
- No.

I was so terrified that I thought
I'd have a heart attack.

I wanted her to stop.

No, I didn't.
Yes, I did.

No, I didn't.

It's hard enough having sex
for the first time with anyone

but when you do it with a girl
you're just asking for it.

Hey.

Are you okay?

No.

I think what happened was a mistake
and that it shouldn't have happened.

Why?

I don't know, because it isn't… normal?

So, what's normal?

I guess…

going out with boys?

And that if you go out with a girl
you might be gay, which I don't think I am.

Okay. First of all,
it doesn't make you gay.

And even if you were,
what's the big deal?

Everything.

Fine.

Go back
to your boring little friends then.

- Are you okay?
- No.

Could you take me home?
I don't feel good.

Yeah. Sure.

Own life, own friends. She doesn't want
to be around her mother anymore.

Of course
she doesn't want to be around you.

I mean, she's a teenager.
Do you blame her?

Thank you for those kind words.

Janice, none of us wanted to be around
our mother when we were teenager.

This is different.

- How?
- I don't know.

I just wish she was still a baby.

Why?

So she needs you?
That's sick.

I mean, you should be thrilled
that she is a person with her own ideas

and dreams and goals…

Oh, I'm not.

Oh, look at the bright side.
You still have Brad to suffocate.

No, he is a boy.

He won't need his mother until
he gets his first apartment

and needs someone
to decorate it for him.

You can laugh all you want
but she is hurting and I can't help her.

She won't talk to me.

Maybe she needs to sort through things herself,
and then she'll talk to you.

Yeah, just give her some time.

And take comfort in the fact
that you are the millionth mother

to go through
the exact same thing this week.

And to think
I used to enjoy these lunches.

Check.

Hi.

Can we talk?

About what?

About us.

I got scared, Taylor. I'm sorry.

- I'd like another chance.
- There is no "us", Jane.

I want to be with people who
are sure they want to be with me.

Come on, Jane.
Come with me, okay?

- Whatever it is, Jane, it'll be okay.
- No, it won't.

You've just got to pull yourself together.

I can't.

In a little while, you'll feel better
with whatever it is that's upsetting you.

You'll see,
things will change.

I don't want to feel better.

And when something's happened
and doesn't change.

You wanna talk about it?

Fine, you wanna know
what I'm upset about?

I slept with someone
for the first time.

That can be traumatic
for everyone.

No. I think
it was more traumatic for me.

We broke up already.

It's that what you wanted to do?

No.

But that's what I did
because I'm a coward.

No, you're not.

In our first sexual experience

we sometimes invest ourselves
wisely and sometimes foolishly

and it doesn't matter which

because in the end
the investment is the same.

But if you wanna be with them

you gotta tell them that.

I did.
They'd moved on.

But if you don't try again
you'll never forgive yourself.

My advice to you is

I'd write them a letter

and I'd tell them why you did what you did
and how you really feel.

Honey, you have to eat.

I'm not hungry.

I know - I know - I know
I sound like a broken record but

I'm just trying to help.

Can you tell me
what is going on?

I just wanna
be left alone. Please.

Okay.

Taylor, my life changed
the moment I met you.

Only I was too stupid to see it.

Actually I was scared
and I'm sorry for that.

You took my breath away
and it frightened me.

I'm not frightened anymore
and I'd like another chance.

- Hey, Jane.
- Hey.

- What's going on?
- Nothing.

What happened
to your friend Taylor?

I haven't seen you
with her lately.

She isn't around.

They say
she has a new friend.

I gotta go.

I wanted to like them again
but boy, they made it hard.

Well, is everyone
going to behave themselves?

I am. Not sure about her, though.

Don't press your luck, Brad.
It's a really bad idea.

You want to see your 15th birthday,
don't you, Spork?

Bye, doll.

Bye, kid.

What?

- Hi.
- Hi.

I got your letter.

Can we talk privately?

Yeah.

You know, I should have known
this was gonna be hard for you.

For anyone.

And I'm sorry
I took it so personally.

I was hurt.

But then I got your letter,
it was beautiful.

I thought you were dating
someone else.

There was never
anyone else.

Whose little brother

who's in the same class
as our ex-friend Jane's little brother

knows the most disgusting thing
ever about Jane?

Tell, tell.

Someone saw
Jane and Taylor kissing.

- Shut up.
- I swear.

I'll get it!

Hello.

Yes, this is she.

What?

Who is this?

Who is this?

But… is this some kind of sick joke?
Where…

Who is this?
Where did you hear such a thing? Hello?

When I said it was a phase,
it wasn't.

I was gay, with or without Taylor.

I knew it deep down for a long time.

But what my mother didn't know is that
I was exactly who I was meant to be.

Whether she liked it or not.

What kind of person
would do such a thing?

It was probably just a kid
making a prank phone call. That's all.

No, no, no.
This was no kids slander.

Calm down. It was just gossip.
There's nothing to it.

- Why would anyone say such a thing?
- I don't know.

Why would they call a total stranger to say
“Oh, your 16-year-old child is a lesbian”.

Oh, people are so sick.

Maybe…

Maybe she was learning how to kiss.

What?

Girls do that, don't they?

They practice.
Maybe that's what she was doing.

We should ask her.

Why should we upset her
with this vicious vice?

We have to protect her.

Whoever called us
might start calling her friends.

Come in.

- Hi.
- Hi.

Honey, we need to talk.

Yes.

We got a phone call,
a very disturbing phone call.

And

we know it isn't true, but
we thought we should talk to you about it

because…

we felt we should warn you.

Warn me about what?

What?

We don't know who called, honey,
but…

they said that…

you were a lesbian.

They said that someone had seen you

kissing Taylor.

We know it's just vicious gossip.

You could tell
from the way she said that

that the thought of it
was out of the question.

I was frozen with fear,
I wanted so badly to tell the truth

but I was so afraid
of losing my parents.

I couldn't speak.

Is it possible
that you kissed Taylor?

That you were
practicing with her?

Yeah. That's what we were doing.

It won't happen again.

Oh. Well.

We didn't mean to upset you,
honey, but

there are some really nasty people
in this world.

Don't worry about it, baby.

We love you.
Good night, sweetie.

Good night.

I used the word "coward" before

but I never really understood
what it meant until that moment.

I was ashamed of my feelings
because of what someone else might think.

I made myself sick.

Come on in baby.

You don't look so good.

Okay. Tell me what's going on.

My mom got this anonymous phone call
saying they saw me kissing a girl

and I told her it wasn't true.

Okay, you lost me.

Sounds like you have no problem.

I lied to her.

I was kissing a girl,

I slept with the girl.

But the way
she was talking about it,

I knew if I told her the truth
she'd hate me.

I've gone gay, Jimmy.

It's okay.

Sometimes it's easier
not to tell the truth.

Don't be so hard on yourself.

I don't know what to do.

You're the only gay person
I've ever known.

Don't worry.

It happens to all of us.

First time someone suspects
or calls us a name

is the "don't ask, don't tell" moment.

What if my parents find out?

If people find out?
They are all gonna hate me.

Honey, I'm black and I'm gay.

They hate me way more
than they'll hate you.

But what did you do?

You get a thick skin.

I've had one since I was a baby
cause I had to have it.

I don't take it personally anymore.

Because I know it's based
on ignorance and fear

and it ain't even about me, really.
It's about them.

I don't wanna hurt my mother.

But I don't know how long
I can keep this a secret.

You'll know when time is right.

Maybe it will be okay.

And you've been friends with my mother
for a long time and she accepted you.

Yeah, but you're her baby.

Mothers and daughters
are about as complicated as it gets.

Jimmy, please, don't tell my mother
anything I've told you.

Not a word.

I was so glad
Jimmy was in the world.

It's okay Jane,
just keep walking.

- Hey, lesbos!
- Punk!

You're about to reunite
"The Children's Hour".

Now stop all this nonsense,
all of you.

Open your books.

So what are you guys doing this weekend?

I'm going with Jeff and his parents
to play metrogolf.

Jane, what about you?

- I'm gonna see Taylor.
- I'd prefer if you didn't see that girl.

She is not a girl, mom.
She is a dyke!

- Jane!
- Cut it out!

- Jane, go to your room!
- Why? He started it!

Why doesn't he have to go
to his room?

'Cause I'm not a dyke!

Go to your room!
Go to your room, right now!

Come on! Come on!

You can't just attack
your brother like that!

You just can't do that!

It was now or never
and I would have preferred never.

It was out of control
and I had to something.

So I took the deepest breath
I've ever taken in my entire life.

He's younger than you are.

The next time he says something awful
just let it roll off your back.

- This is just gossip.
- It's not just gossip!

I lied to the two of you

because I was afraid.

Afraid that you'd hate me,
afraid that you'd throw me out…

I did kiss Taylor

and I think I'm in love with her.

But…

she is a girl.

- You don't know what you're saying.
- Yes, I do.

But it's okay, because

Taylor is a really good person.

That's not the point.

Why is it wrong for me
to care about someone

and for someone
to care about me?

Because it's not right.

You don't have a clue.

If you're saying that you're gay

you have no comprehension
of what that means.

I don't care anymore.

It's what I feel.

It's what you feel?

How do you know what you feel?
You're a 16-year-old kid.

This is just a phase
and it's gonna stop right here.

It's not just a phase.

I'm gay.

If you could just see it
through my eyes,

to have someone you care about,
care about you

and make you feel
not so alone in this world.

Does it really matter
who the person is?

Of course it matters.

Why?

Why?

And since when
do you hate gay people?

Jimmy's been your friend forever
and he's gay.

He is not my daughter!

I expected emergency rooms,

skinned knees, braces,
broken hearts, not this.

This wasn't a part of my plan.

I know. It wasn't part my plan either.

What a horrible thing
did I do as her mother?

No, you are a great mother.
It's not about you.

We have to do something, Bobbie?

The world is not a tolerant place.

Her life could be ruined.

I know.

She's not a baby anymore.

Yes, she is.

She's my baby.

She's my child.

Yeah, she's my child too.

Listen, I think
we need to stay calm here.

What do you say,
that's okay for her to be gay?

No, it's not what I'm saying.

Don't you think
I wanna walk her down the isle?

Have grandchildren,
just like you do?

I don't want my child to be gay.

But she is our daughter

and we have to find a way
to help her through this.

I'm not gonna help her
through it.

I'm not gonna help her
become a lesbian.

I didn't ask you
to do that.

It's not
what I'm saying.

But we can't just pretend
this is not happening.

We can't turn our backs on her

or let this tear us apart.

What are we gonna do?

Jane told us she was gay
last night.

I know.

You know?

How do you know?

She came by here
the other day and told me.

She told you?

Why didn't you tell me?

Because it's her decision
to tell you, not mine.

But you're my friend.
You should have told me.

She was terrified
of losing you.

Terrified
that you'd hate her.

She needed to tell you
when she was ready.

I have to do something.

Like what?

You're friends with me.
You love me and I'm gay.

Why can't you do that with Jane?

'Cause I don't want her
to have as hard a life as you've had.

It's not your place
to judge my life

or anyone else's.

Jimmy!
Oh, come on.

I'm not blind.
I've been there.

I've seen how cruel people have been to you,
have detorted you.

Your only concern should be
not to become one of those people.

This is my life,
this is who I am.

And Jane should be able
to be who she is too

even if it's not
who you want her to be.

No.

As long as she is my responsibility
I have to say in this.

Janice, don't be like this

or you'll regret it
till the day you die.

Then that will be my choice.

Jane, it really would be a better use
of our time together

if you said something
during one of our sessions.

Like what?

Like why do you think you're here?

Because my mother said I had to come,
and to shut her up I came.

Sharing with you
wasn't part of the deal.

Why are you so mad
at your mother?

Oh, I don't know.

Because she's a bigot.

That's good, that's a start.

Really?

Where are you now?

I'm in bad witing, Beth.

The therapy hasn't changed a thing.

I try to keep her away from Taylor
but I can't lock her up.

And Jimmy is no help.
He's on Jane's side, of course.

- What?
- Nothing.

- What, Beth?
- I don't know.

You've always been
so liberal-minded.

I think that
you are overreacting.

It's probably just a phase
she's going through.

Oh, I pray that it is.
What if it isn't? What do I do then?

Well, if it isn't
then you accept it.

She is your child, Janice.
Whatever happens you accept her.

What if I can't?

Then you wouldn't be
a very good mother.

Excuse me?

This is coming from someone

who has absolutely no relationships,
who was incapable of them?

How nice it must be
if you have judged me from that far.

You asked for my opinion
so don't attack me 'cause you're mad at Jane.

Maybe you should take a look at
why this bothers you so much.

I'm sorry but you know
absolutely nothing about this.

Why don't you just take
your condescending crap
and peddle it somewhere else.

- So, how's therapy?
- Sucks.

- Do you have to go again?
- Yeah. My mother thinks it'll convert me.

Believe me, if that were true,
a lot of queers would flock to therapists.

I mean, life would be easier
if we were straight.

But who wants easy, right?
Who wants to fit into this mold?

We are trailblazers.
Unique and to ourselves.

- We're special.
- Yeah. We're special alright.

We can't even go anywhere.

Nowhere is safe.

Yes, we can.

Can you get out of the house
Friday night?

I will even if I have to throw myself
out of my window.

There can't be this many gay people
in this town. It isn't humanely possible.

We are everywhere, in every city.
We just learn how to hide from normal people.

- Where have you been?
- It's 4 in the morning.

I was out.
Let's just leave it at that.

No, we won't leave it at that.

You're grounded for a month.

We will take you to school,
we will pick you up from school.

We will set up alarms on the hour
if we have to.

That is what you've reduced us to.

You can't do that.

- Oh, yes, we can.
- Now go to your room.

Acting out is a strange thing.

No one ever wins

but you don't know that
when you're doing it.

Jane, we have to talk about this.

What's there to talk about?

My mother can't look at me,
you're disappointed in me,

what else is there to talk about?

Fine, then I'll talk about it.

You have to understand.

This isn't just
normal growing pains.

This decision could inform
the rest of your life.

That's why your mother and I
are so upset about this.

I understand that.
But this isn't easy for me either.

And parents are supposed
to love their kids no matter what.

Janey, I will always love you,
no matter what.

It doesn't feel that way to me.

- Sorry.
- It's okay.

I just wanted to tell you
that I'm still your friend.

No matter who you sleep with.

I can't believe
she'll ground you for a whole month.

Isn't therapy
enough of a punishment?

Only if you have to go.

This isn't gonna work Jane.

- What?
- Us.

I mean, I really like you,
but this is getting out of control.

It's not worth it.

But why should we let other people
decide what's best for us?

Jane, I had more relationships than you

and I guess I just don't get as attached.

It's as easy for me to have them
as it is not to have them.

- But I love you.
- No, you don't.

You barely know me.

You just think you do
because I was your first.

You'll get over it.

You'll get over me.

Just better this way.

What happened?

I'm gay and everyone hates me.

They don't hate you,
they're kids.

What did they do?
Did someone say something to you?

Taylor just broke up with me.

She never really cared about me
in the first place.

That's not true.
Of course, she did.

No, she didn't.

It was just a flint to her
she said so herself.

I'm sorry.

I just wanna die.

You don't understand.

Yes, I do.

First girl I dated dumped me too.

What did you just say?

I swear I thought
I just heard you say you dated a girl.

I did.

- No way!
- Yes way.

I'm still dating girls, Jane.
I'm gay.

Oh, my god!

But nobody knows so I'd appreciate
if you didn't tell anyone.

I swear.

I know it seems
like the end of the world but it's not.

When I was 16
I fell madly in love.

Her name was Barbara and I thought
I would spend the rest of my life with her.

But we didn't even know
what a life was then.

We hadn't been with anyone,
we hadn't done anything,

how would we know anything?

And when she dumped me
to date the football star.

I thought I'd die, too.

What did you do?

I didn't die.

But it took me some time
to get over her.

Eventually I did
and we became friends.

We still are.

When did you know,
I mean really know,

that you were gay?
That it wasn't a phase?

Almost from the start.

It's not that I didn't like men.

It's just that I felt

connected to women
in a different kind of way.

A way that I've never felt
with a man

even though I tried
over and over again

to please my mother,
to please other people,

to be like them.

But I wasn't like them.
I was me.

How long did it take you
to get over Barbara?

A couple of years.

I'm kidding!

But it'll take some time.

An open heart is easily wounded
and hard to repair.

I have to pick up Brad
at Jeff's after dinner.

- I'll go.
- Okay.

Jane, what's the matter?

Besides the fact
that I live with the Gestapo

you'll be happy to know
that Taylor broke with me today

because of you.

Honey, it'll be okay.

Maybe that'll put an end
to this nonsense.

It isn't nonsense to me.

God, Janice.

She's hurting.
Can't you just be her mother for a minute?

Don't concern yourself

what I should be.

This isn't all about you,
you know?

No, it isn't.
And maybe you should concern yourself

with the fact that your daughter
could have ruined her life.

I'll tell you what I'm concerned about.

I'm concerned about the fact
that my daughter's got a broken heart.

That's what I'm concerned about.

I wasn't sorry about how I felt
but believe it or not

I was sorry
about tearing my parents apart.

If adults could just remember their first love
maybe they wouldn't think ours was so wrong.

- Where have you been?
- Out.

- You've been drinking?
- Yes.

What are you thinking about?

You're ground, again.

Why?

Because you're 16 years old

and as long as you're in this house,
you will do what we say.

Or I'll lock you!

Where's your little girlfriend?

Just walk away Elisabeth.

Who is gonna make me?

I will.

That's great,
you are a dyke now, aren't you?

Stop this nonsense!
Stop it. Stop it.

Whoever said these were
the best years of your life, was a liar.

Hello, Mr. Anderson.

I'm sorry.
I came as soon as I could.

I'm glad you're here.

We can't tolerate violence
of any kind around here.

That's why I'm suspending Jane.
I am sorry.

I understand.

I'm sorry for any trouble
that Jane has caused.

You don't have to apologize for me.

Somebody has to.
Come on. Come on, let's go.

Come on!

- Let go off me!
- What, you gonna hit me too?

Hey, lesbo, if you were with me,
you wouldn't need to be a dyke!

Right, man.

Why do you care what they say?
You're just like them.

Jane!

- Get off me!
- Come on!

I'm not even gonna ask you

to explain what you did
'cause there is no explanation.

Jane, you can't resolve things this way.

Why not? Elizabeth started it.
She was making fun of Taylor and me.

Do you blame her?
What you're doing isn't normal.

Jimmy is normal.
Ms. Walcott is normal.

What did you say?

Nothing, I accidentally said her name.
I just meant Jimmy.

You said Ms. Walcott is normal.

Is Ms. Walcott gay?

Jane, is your teacher gay?

Yes, but it doesn't matter.

Of course it matters.

She has influence over you.

She's misusing it.

She's the only good thing
at that damned school.

Oh, I have to see about that!

No, please. Don't hurt Ms. Walcott!
Please, mom!

Please,
don't say anything outside!

- Janice, don't do this!
- No!

No, please.

Why is she doing this?

It's okay.

Janey, come on.

- Ms. Walcott?
- Yes.

- I'm Janice Taylor, Jane's mother.
- It's nice to meet you.

Stay away from my daughter.

Well, that'll be difficult,
I'm her teacher.

You are also gay
and you're influencing her.

Unless you'd like me to go
to the school board,

which I'm perfectly prepared to do,
just stay away from my daughter.

Jane?

Your father and I have decided
we have to do something about your behavior.

We tried talking to you, punishing you…

and therapy hasn't worked at all, so

we decided that we should send you away
to a boarding school.

I won't go.
I like the school I'm in.

This isn't your choice.

It's not what we wanna do.

Well, I'll run away.
They can't watch me 24 hours a day.

Maybe you prefer our bound.

I don't care.
Do what you have to do.

Jane!

- Jane!
- Let her go.

How did we get here?

- You know how we got here.
- No, I don't.

I don't want to send her away.

I'm not gonna let you
make this my fault.

Jane! What are you doing here?

Come in.

Are you okay?

- Lynn? What…?
- Honey, this is Jane.

Hi, Jane.
I heard a lot about you.

Want some tea or something?

- Do you want some tea?
- No, thanks.

I'm gonna go back to sleep.
I have to get up early.

It's nice to meet you.
Hang in there.

Come on over here.

What's going on?

I'm so sorry.
I never meant to hurt you.

Oh, sweetie, you didn't.
It's gonna be okay.

It won't be.

My parents are sending me away.
They're kicking me out.

They hate me.

Everybody hates me.

I don't know what to do,
I have nowhere to go.

I just wanna disappear.

I don't want to live anymore.

It's gonna be okay. I swear.

It's gonna be okay.

I know that I'm the last person you expected
and the last person that you wanted to see

but Jane run away tonight
and she came to my house.

- Is she there, now?
- Yes.

Would you please give us
your address to come to get her?

No, first, you're gonna listen
to what I have to say to you.

And then after that you can do
whatever it is you need to do.

I know you think it isn't my place to say
anything to you about your daughter

but someone has to.

I understand I may repulse you
but I also understand Jane's pain.

The pain of having people
hate you not based on you

but based on what I think
we have very little control over.

Well, that's where you and I disagree.

Look, you've made your choice and frankly,
it's none of my business.

I just don't think
that you should be teaching young girls

and supporting alternative lifestyles
just because they happen to be yours.

Don't you understand that Jane
and girls like Jane

are impressionable?

That they look up
to their teachers?

They wanna be
just like them.

Just let me finish
what I have to say to you

and then, after that,
if you want to go
to the school board, so be it.

But in the meantime

your child, that you gave birth to,
is in agony and she doesn't need to be.

Jane run away tonight because
she thinks that you hate her.

And I know what that's like.
It's awful.

And no child
should have to go through that.

Jane's a good person.

And being gay
doesn't make her a bad one.

She's still the same person that
you adored two weeks ago.

I still adore my daughter.

I just want to protect her
from people like you.

Janice, let her talk.

Jane's only crying is that she loves
differently than you do.

And you don't have to understand it
or even agree with it.

But unless you try to

you're gonna lose her forever.

I appreciate your concern, but I think
we know our daughter better than you do.

Really?

Well, did you know that your daughter
came to my house tonight

thinking that suicide
was one of her options?

Can I speak to Jane alone, please?

Sure, I'll be right there.

Hi.

Ms. Walcott came over tonight

and told us something

I had never considered before.

She said if I continue to behave
the way I've been behaving

then I would lose you permanently.

I'm your mother
and I love you

and I don't wanna lose you.

When you first told us
I thought

"what have I done wrong
as a mother?"

and I did think

what would people say,
what would I tell my friends.

But my first reaction

was I didn't want your life to
be any harder than it had to be.

The world is not a nice place

and I guess I had the same dreams
every mother has with their little girl.

That you'd meet a good man,

you'd fall in love,

you'd get married,
you'd have children…

Those are your dreams.

I know that.

- Can I ask you a question?
- Yeah.

When did you first feel
that you were…

A lesbian?

It's okay, you can say it
without becoming one.

Oh, God.
You're exhausting sometimes.

Sorry.

I guess
I've always known that I was different.

and I didn't feel a part of things.

I'm not sure when it became clear,

probably last year.

But I guess
that's always been inside of me.

What's the hardest part about it?

That the people you care about
will hate you.

I could never hate you.

I don't think I'm gonna change.
and I know you want me to, so

what do we do?

I don't know.

Just try harder.

I will if you will.

I don't know

if I'm ever gonna accept it

and frankly,

I don't know if I can understand
what you're doing but

take it day by day.

An hour ago
I didn't think I had a mother

but now I think I may be meeting her
for the very first time.

Thanks for not telling anyone
about Ms. Walcott.

You're welcome.

What?

Because you're still having
a hard time accepting this

I'd like you to come
to a meeting with me.

It's for parents with gay kids.

It's called PFLAG.

What kind of a name is that?

It stands for parents, friends,
and families of lesbians and gays.

Ah. And what will we do there?

- Come on!
- Coming, don't pull me!

Hi, welcome to PFLAG!

I'm Dorothy and my son is gay.

This is my mother, Janice
and her daughter is a lesbian.

That would be me.

It's hard to say it at first

but pretty soon
you'll be saying it to everyone.

Oh, really?

When will that be?

First I thought it was me.

Then I thought
what would people think about me.

What kind of horrible mother am I?

Then, when

I almost lost my child
because of my ignorance

I found her again,
and who she was,

was exactly
who she was always meant to be.

A good child.

Kind child. My…

my child. Excuse me.

What I came to realize

was that none of this,

has anything to do with us.

It's their lives.

And we, as parents,
need to let them live their lives.

As they see fit.

Not as we see fit.

Thank you.

Ring a bell?

I got it.

Oh, thanks!

Thank you!

Oh, don't even think about that.

He's my friend.

Nothing more, nothing less.

She's still a dyke, mom.

And she's still your sister,
so watch your mouth!

Just go to hell.

That ketchup, please.
Thank you.

I'm really proud of you.

Don't be.

I hear they have a saying in AA:

"to act as you".

As if you understand or

accept something

when you really don't.

And that's what I'm doing,

acting as if,

because it still breaks my heart.

- Did you want to say something?
- No.

Thanks.

But you can't protect me forever.

No, but when I can,
I hope you'll let me.

What happened to you?

Someone called me a "fag hag".

Which is insane
'cause you're not a fag.

I beat the crap out of him anyways.

At that moment, if I had been straight,
I would have married him right then and there.

You okay about Taylor
moving back east?

Yeah, thanks.

Ain't this great?

Dad, don't think I'll all of a sudden
like sports because I'm gay!

How about fishing?

I suppose it goes out of question.

So what do lesbians like to do?

Same things you like to do.

- Can we go home now?
- Yeah, sure.

- Hi!
- Hi!

I'm glad to see you guys.

Who the hell thinks this is fun?

Lose a tiny piece
you can barely see

as much as fun and you still have
to blow your brains out.

- Can I go to Jess' house now?
- Go, go!

Praise the Lord.

- You guys had fun?
- Yeah, tell her dad. Tell'em about that.

Can I talk to you guys for a minute?

Sure.

I appreciate all that you're doing
to try to be a part of my life

and to show me you love me
even though I'm gay.

But you don't need to try
quite so hard.

- Sorry.
- Sorry.

Hi, Janice, glad you're here.
How's Jane?

She's great, thank you.

And you?

I'm trying.

My name is Lorraine
and my daughter is a lesbian.

I'm Susan, and my son is gay.

My name is Janice, and…

It's okay.
Let's start the meeting now.

- What do you want?
- I'm not gonna hurt you.

- Then what do you want?
- I bought you this.

Why would you get me a present?
I've never been nice to you in my whole life.

I know, I've never been nice to you either
so I thought I'd try it.

- I've already told people you were gay.
- I know.

- It's a trick, isn't it?
- No.

I don't get it.

There is a saying:
"killing with kindness".

In a few years,
you will know what it means.

Why can't I eat over at Jess' house?

Because we have to have
more family dinners.

- Why?
- Because our blood is for punishment.

Because we're family, son.

That's in the eye of the beholder.

--
or you'll behold your room.

How are the PFLAG meetings going,
Janice?

Good. Good.

We have this gay
pride parade next week.

- I don't know. This is kind of a field trip.
- Great, great. Good for you.

Well, I don't think I'll be going,
I mean, I'm getting better

but I just don't think
I can shout it from the roof tops yet.

One step forward,
one step backwards.

Jane?
Can I come in?

Look, I'm doing the best I can
and sometimes it sticks

but I'll get better, I promise.

When?

Going to the meetings,
I'm acknowledging you're gay,

I can do it pretty well.

But it's all in private.
It's still safe.

You don't really accept me
unless you do it out in the open.

I'm sorry.

I can't.

Going as fast as I can.

We stand united, as Robinson sisters,
in the fight for what all human beings deserve:

equality, rights, dignity.

The very things that other people
take for granted are given to them

under the law, all men and women were
created equal in the eyes of my God.

A god that is inclusive, not exclusive,

in a world we envision,

not in a world
of fences and walls,

things to keep people out
because they are different

but in a world that loves.

we ask for the world for we expected from it,
not what if it gives us if it's wrong.

Those are things that
we're still fighting for.

We demonstrate, we protest,
we fight…

Hi, Jane!

You guys shouldn't be here,
someone might see you.

It's time we did.

Sorry your mom is not here.

She'll come around.

What if she doesn't?

Where's Janice?
They want her on stage to speak.

She's not coming.

Oh, I'm sorry, Jane.

It's okay.
It took me 3 or 4 rounds before I came.

But you are here, it's a start.

We'll see you guys later.

Ladies and gentlemen, the PFLAG moms

Hi, I'm Dorothy, and my son is gay.

I'm Lorraine and my daughter is a lesbian.
I love her and I'm proud to be her mom.

I am Darrel, my daughter is a lesbian.

I'm Nancy, and my son is gay.

Hi, I'm Rick, my daughter is a lesbian
and I'm proud of her.

The amazing thing about change
is that everyone can do it,

even the people
you least expect it from.

My mother was finally
exactly the person she was meant to be.

I was so proud
of how well she had grown up.