If there’s just ONE reason that Love, Simon is a groundbreaking, phenomenally important film, it’s this: LGBT people are coming out because of it.
The film – which stars Nick Robinson as Simon Spier, a closeted gay teen in his final year of high school – is your classic coming-of-age romance, except that Simon is gay.
Like (also iconic, but very different) mid-00s teen film A Cinderella Story, Simon forms a relationship with another gay guy at his high school over the internet, without either of them knowing who the other one is.
A lot of the film centres around the fact that, despite having the most supportive networks in the world, coming out is still a huge deal. Simon has supportive parents, great friends, and isn’t feel ashamed of who he is – he just wants to come out on his own terms, when he’s ready.
And clearly, the message is resonating, because young queer people are coming out because of this film.
“I came out during Love, Simon,” wrote one person on Twitter. “My friends were there, my parents were there, a full theatre was there. People were laughing and singing and crying and clapping throughout the whole movie. I’ve never seen a movie bring people together this close. I made friends there. Teens need this.”
https://twitter.com/endlesslyqueer/status/975178844310261760
Not kidding, someone just publicly came out in the theater at the end of #LoveSimon What an amazing movie!!!
— AMY HANKS (@amyhanks97) March 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/_andrewminyard/status/975483744587980800
after watching #lovesimon with my dad, i came out to him in the car. i had the courage to come out to my parents bc of this movie. this movie is important, pls go see it. i cannot stress enough how important/life changing this movie is for the lgbtq+ community. @lovesimonmovie pic.twitter.com/RUozd0qscM
— kaila (@marvelusholland) March 19, 2018
i came out to my mom tonight all because love, simon gave me the confidence and courage i never thought i had. this film couldn’t be more important to me. thank you @lovesimonmovie #lovesimon
— trin (@atzsuho) March 18, 2018
ALSO AT THE END OF THE MOVIE ONE GIRL STOOD UP AND CAME OUT TO THE ENTIRE AUDIENCE AND IM SO PROUD OF HER AND IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL AND #LOVESIMON IS AMAZING
— abs | ia bc college (@strangerthcr) March 17, 2018
Just saw #LoveSimon with one of my best friends and came out to my parents when I got home. This movie was amazing and it’s what I needed
— 🪐orville’s pecs♥️ (@adelesmelons) March 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/ethanmac88/status/975515326208192512
https://twitter.com/steviesbxck/status/975473902196613121
me and my sister since she just came out using #LoveSimon DJSKMC pic.twitter.com/HIGSiSJW4F
— s (@trusammy) March 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/MEDlCINEE/status/966174737968828416
The film also stars 13 Reasons Why‘s Katherine Langford as Simon’s best friend, and Jennifer Garner and Josh Duhamel as his unfathomably attractive parents.
Go see it if you want to watch a really nice, funny movie but also are prepared to sob uncontrollably quite a bit.
Love, Simon comes out in Australia on March 29 (pun totally intended).
