Stupid Girl

For years, AJ (Alex James) Daniels is teased by his peers for being effeminate. Now 16, AJ refuses to remove his oversized T-shirt during a school physical with other boys his age. The class bully rips off AJ’s shirt in a single yank. AJ wears a pink bikini. The boys chant “stupid girl!” One boy sympathizes with AJ. His name is Holden Tyler, a Junior High jock and the principal’s son. AJ flees the gymnasium in humiliation and is captured on students’ cellphones. Holden’s father, Paul, calls AJ’s father Brodie at his barbecue joint. Pauls demands AJ seeks therapy for his “issue” at the church he belongs to. Later, Brodie finds AJ kneeling at his mother’s grave. Alice Jane Daniels knew at an early age AJ was born the wrong gender and encouraged him to wear girl’s clothing. Brodie tells AJ that Principal Tyler demands he gets therapy. Once home, AJ’s brother, Billy, 18, star football player, calls AJ an embarrassment to their family. AJ locks himself in his bedroom and sketches. He’s an amazing artist specializing in drawings of gorgeous women whose faces resemble his mother’s. AJ’s art teacher, Morgan, 40s, recognizes AJ’s talent and is privy to his gender identity struggle. Meanwhile, AJ goes to conversion therapy to ‘pray away the gay.’ AJ’s best friend, Jashanna, a street-smart black teen who works at K-mart, knows AJ is transgender and not gay. She tells AJ if he gives in, “they” win. AJ continues therapy to appease Brodie. One day, Holden asks AJ how his therapy sessions are going. AJ is unenthusiastic in his response. Holden says the sessions work wonders, and they exchange numbers. AJ realizes Holden has gone through conversion therapy, but tells no one. During this time, AJ continues to get bullied by his peers. Morgan comes to AJ’s aid and in confidence tells AJ he’s a transgender male. AJ finally decides to come out to his father as a transgender female. With Jashanna’s help, AJ goes to Brodie’s restaurant wearing a Jaclyn Smith outfit from K-mart. Brodie suffers a heart attack. Billy blames AJ, even though Brodie is a major smoker. Brodie’s brush with death is a wakeup call to support AJ. Soon, Holden distances himself from AJ and befriends Billy when he’s moved up to play Varsity football. The two double-date with their respective girlfriends. Meanwhile, Paul grows suspicious of AJ and Morgan’s friendship. Through a background check, Paul discovers Morgan was a woman. Paul discriminates against Morgan saying transgender teachers and students are forbidden at the school. Undaunted by Paul’s threat, Morgan encourages AJ to attend the school’s 80’s-theme Spirit Dance dressed as Madonna. Jashanna dresses as Prince. Paul outs Morgan at the dance and orders him and AJ to leave. Morgan, AJ, Brodie, Jashanna and a few others protest and are arrested. Afterwards, Holden lambasts his father for his actions, and then goes to Billy’s house to apologize. When Holden attempts to kiss Billy, Billy insists Holden leaves. Late that night, a distraught Holden sneaks into the school and texts AJ, only AJ doesn’t respond. Holden gets it, AJ’s mad that he didn’t defend him. Holden sends AJ another text that AJ doesn’t read until the following morning. It’s a suicide note, praising AJ for his courage to come out and asks AJ to be his voice for students battling with their sexual orientation or identify. At Holden’s memorial service, AJ reads Holden’s text, promising ‘she’ will fight for LGBTQ rights at the school. AJ’s heartfelt speech receives a standing ovation. And for a brief moment, AJ imagines his mother in the audience, smiling and wearing the same outfit AJ wears.