In & Out

In & Out, the 1997 movie starring Kevin Kline and Tom Selleck, was one of Hollywood's first attempts at doing a gay movie just for entertainment value.

The screenplay, written by gay screenwriter Paul Rudnick (who also wrote Jeffrey), introduces us to Howard Brackett (Kevin Kline), who lives a quiet life in Greenleaf, Indiana, teaching English literature in high school and is soon to marry his fiancee, fellow teacher Emily (Joan Cusack).

Amid eager anticipation in his hometown, a former student of his, Cameron Drake (Matt Dillon), who has achieved Hollywood stardom, is nominated for an Academy Award. Cameron does indeed win the Best Actor award for playing a gay soldier, and in his acceptance speech finally thanks his teacher, and adds "He's a gay teacher!".

Howard's parents, friends, and soon-to-be spouse are naturally shocked, but that is nothing compared to Howard's own disbelief.

Warning: Wikipedia contains spoilers

The next day, naive Howard learns about the nature of news media when he finds his workplace surrounded by reporters looking for him.

One of them even seems to have a personal interest in him: Peter Malloy (Tom Selleck), himself gay, is visibly delighted with Howard's repeated but in the end unsuccessful attempts to turn things back to "normal".

After Howard's final measure, an audiocassette that is supposed to restore his "manliness", fails, he finally accepts the truth, just in time for Emily to race off with Cameron Drake, who had a crush on her in high school.