‘Love, Simon’ Gives Arrowhead Students a New Outlook on Diversity
Snapshot of the main characters of ‘Love, Simon’ (via https://thenewyorker.com)
‘Love, Simon’ hit theaters on Friday, March 16th, 2018. The movie, directed by Greg Berlanti, follows a gay teen named Simon Spier (played by Nick Robinson) through his struggles with friends, high school, coming out, and his journey of falling in love with an anonymous, closeted classmate over email. The movie, which has hit a box office total of $24,325,176 as of March 26th (http://www.boxofficemojo.com), is based on the novel ‘Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda’ written by Becky Albertalli.
Arrowhead senior and lacrosse player Kate Schwenker says, “I really want to see it. It’s the first really popular movie that’s ever been centered around something like this, and I think it’s about time. I think growing up in a place like we did, getting a new outlook on diversity would be really helpful.”
With Arrowhead’s demographics of 92.7% caucasian students, diversity is one thing students like Schwenker believe we are lacking in. (http://public-schools.startclass.com/)
“I saw someone on twitter say something about not liking how LGBTQ culture is being thrown in their face all of the sudden. I just don’t think people understand that straight relationships have been thrown in their face their entire lives,” she says.
Some celebrities, such as ‘Bad Moms’ star Kristen Bell and ‘How I Met Your Mother’s Neil Patrick Harris, even bought out entire movie theaters to allow people from their hometowns to see it for free.
Harris (@nph on instagram), shared a post saying, “So my husband David and I enjoyed @lovesimonmovie so much, we wanted to pay it forward. Others are doing this, and I’m so on board. So we bought out a screening at a theatre in my hometown of Albuquerque, NM for this Sunday afternoon. It’s free, and a great chance to see this wonderful film. Hope you can make it! Swipe left for details.”
Mitchell Wnuk, an Arrowhead sophomore and Broadway Company member, says, “I wish everyone could see the movie. Maybe the gay jokes that 18 year old boys still find funny would finally end.”
‘Love, Simon’ is a moving film that shows that everyone, no matter what gender, race, or sexual orientation, deserves a fascinating love story. Arrowhead students can talk to their guidance counselors or contact GSA (Gay Straight Alliance Club) if they have any concerns or questions.
