In October 2002 the photo of a beautiful teenage girl who had been brutally murdered splashed across the nation on newspapers from The New York Times to TV stations such as CNN. “Please don’t. I have a family …” had been her last words. But this was no ordinary girl and hers was no ordinary family.

When four men discovered that 17-year-old Gwen Araujo, the girl with whom they had been intimate, was biologically male, they beat and strangled her to death. Unable to contain their secret, they were arrested for the murder two weeks later. They claimed that they acted in the heat of passion, provoked by what they saw as Gwen’s deceit, and asked for a verdict of manslaughter, which carries a sentence of as little as four years. Seeking justice, the prosecutor demanded the charge of first-degree murder.

Through the eyes of Gwen’s courageous mother, this film follows the real life drama of the case that attracted famous attorneys, spawned a made-for-TV movie, and compelled almost 1000 people to attend Gwen’s memorial service and thousands more to march in the streets demanding justice. As the film uncovers more about Gwen, it also explores the provocative complexities of gender identity.

ADMISSION:  $10 non-member / $8 members