Gwen Lee and I made a point of recording “A Girl Like Me” on the DVR Friday, and we finally had a chance to sit down and watch it. The movie chronicles the short life and brutal murder of a young transgender girl, Gwen Araujo.
The story is told in two parts. First, the struggle of Gwen and her family to first understand, and then ultimately accept and embrace who she was. The second story line that progresses parallel to the first, is the trial of her murders. The two stories counter point each other beautifully.
This is a very moving story, and one that I think everyone should see. It doesn’t paint a picture of right and wrong, or a picture of black and white, but of real people coping with real issues. Of the joys and heartbreak that often accompany us.
When the movie was over, Gwen, my fourteen year old son Nate and I were all in tears. It’s one of the most moving stories I’ve seen in a long time. I highly recommend this movie for anyone, but especially for the friends and families of transgendered people.
Be sure to check out the site at Lifetime TV.