DETROIT, Mich. – A special screening of the award-winning film A Girl Like Him, directed by Amy S. Weber, will take place at the historic Redford Theater on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. This one-night-only screening event is a special fundraising initiative to support True Colors United and Humble Design to support LGBTQ+ youth and ending homelessness.
The evening promises an unforgettable experience, combining the Michigan premiere of a powerful new film with a meaningful cause. True Colors United was co-founded by musician and activist Cyndi Lauper to end youth homelessness with a focus on the LGBTQ+ community. Humble Design is a non-profit that turns houses into personalized homes for those emerging from homelessness.
“A Girl Like Him” is a coming-of-age drama that has already garnered critical acclaim, winning “Best Of” awards at prestigious film festivals including Cannes World Film Festival, Toronto International Women’s Festival, and New York’s Cinema Awards. The film tells the story of a small-town, non-binary teen navigating the complexities of identity, love, and friendship. A Girl Like Him is a follow-up to Weber’s critically-acclaimed 2015 film A Girl Like Her, which brought the issue of bullying to the forefront through the story of a high school girl who is pushed to the brink by her peers. This new film builds on Weber’s commitment to telling powerful, socially relevant stories.
Reflecting on the impact of her work, Weber shared, “This time, I wanted to focus on a coming-of-age story centered around a small town, non-binary teen coming to terms with their true self. A Girl Like Him is a film our world needs now more than ever. My hope is that with this film and event, we can help in some way to bring much-needed empathy, understanding, and change.”
In the United States, 4.2 million youth experience homelessness each year, with LGBTQ+ youth 120% more likely to experience homelessness. True Colors United is working to ensure LGBTQ+ young people are centered in the solutions so that no young people are left out in the movement to end youth homelessness and the issues they face worldwide. So far this year, nearly 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have either been introduced, are advancing across House and Senate floors, or have passed, across the United States. To put the severity of this into perspective, last year there were 503 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced, with over half of them targeting trans youth.
On the issue of homelessness, according to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, approximately 50% of families return to homelessness within one year of securing housing. Two-time Emmy nominated TV series, Welcome Home, centered on Humble Design’s mission of service. Through their work, fewer than 2% of the families they serve have returned to the shelter system, helping to keep families from slipping back into homelessness.
The event will feature a VIP pre-event reception, a red-carpet experience produced by Golden World Global Group, and a chance to meet the cast and crew. Following the screening, a question-and-answer session will be held with Weber, representatives from True Colors United, Treger Strasberg from Humble Design, and members of the cast.
Tickets for the premiere are available now, and supporters are encouraged to act quickly as space is limited. For more information on the event or to purchase tickets, visit www.redfordtheatre.com/events/a-girl-like-him-2024. Watch the trailer for A Girl Like Him here. Watch sneak peek clips of the film here and here.