“BOYS DON’T CRY,” BUT THEY DO, ACTUALLY

Back in 1980, there was a song. Back in 1999, a movie.

“Boys Don’t Cry” the movie, was not just a hit at the box office when it was shown, but critically acclaimed. After a decade, the film was preserved at the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” This year, it was shown at the Film Development Academy’s Cinematheque in celebration of PELIKULAYA: International LGBTQIA+ Film Festival. What makes it relevant to this day is the fact that discrimination still exists, acceptance is still far-fetched (at least to the majority) and laws that should protect the LGBTQIA+ community are still not enacted in this country.

The film is about what happened to Brandon Teena, (Teena Brandon in real life), a transman who was murdered by in a hate crime. When does being oneself become life-threatening?  

Watching the movie gives the audience a feel of the naturalness of the scenes, like seeing it actually in real life. The message of Brandon’s wanting to be accepted in a family or circle of friends is clear, but sadly, those people around him took his being a trans against him; both in his hometown and in Fall City where he decided to live— where he met Lana, the woman who loved him. The audacity and courage to be true to oneself is clear, even how difficult it had been.   

For breaking the law on his relocation, Brandon was detained. Lying at first explaining to Lana that he was a hermaphrodite that’s why he was placed in the women’s section, the girlfriend bailed him out. The symbolism of being free from jail holding hands with the girlfriend is ecstatic… and in contrast, jeopardized his safety as an individual. Because it was when he was out in the open that he was assaulted, raped not once but twice by those he considered friends and family, and murdered— gunned down first, then stabbed. There is a subliminal message of Brandon being the better man than his newfound men friends. 

The riveting portrayal of the life of Brandon is evocative. It makes the audience shed a tear, feel hurt, get angry, shiver, experience strong emotions. But above all, understand the plight of a transman. 

Indulge on movies that will help us understand the LGBTQIA+. Let documentaries be our crash course teachers. We can also read more about what they are going through. Let us do our homework. It is better to be educated than be judgmental. Learning is lifelong, remember? 

And oh, yes, boys do cry, just like everyone else. Boys, girls, LGBTQIA+ are all equal. No gender is above the other.