Editing In & Out (film) (section)

==Plot==
Howard Brackett is a well-liked [[English literature]] teacher, living a quiet life in the fictional town of Greenleaf, [[Indiana]], with his [[fiancée]] and fellow teacher Emily Montgomery, who has low self-esteem and recently lost weight for the wedding.

The town is filled with anticipation over the nomination of Howard's former student Cameron Drake in the [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] category at the [[Academy Awards]] for his portrayal of a gay soldier in ''To Serve and Protect''. Cameron wins, and in his acceptance speech he thanks Howard, dedicating the award to him, finishing his speech with "and he's gay".

Howard's family, friends, students, co-workers and Emily are shocked, but that is nothing compared to Howard's own reaction of disbelief and indignation. He angrily reassures those who know him that he is [[heterosexual]]. Reporters invade his hometown and harass him for interviews following the awards night telecast. Howard is placed under the scrutiny of his boss, Principal Tom Halliwell, who is uncomfortable with the attention being brought to the school.

Although the other reporters leave after getting their story, one stays behind: on-camera entertainment reporter Peter Malloy, who wants to wait the week out so he can cover Howard's wedding to Emily. Howard confesses to a priest who recommends he sleep with Emily in order to prove his heterosexuality. Howard finds he cannot go through with it due to his conflicting emotions and Emily's concern for his well-being.

Howard crosses paths with Peter, who reveals that he is gay. Peter narrates his own experience in coming out to his family. Howard insists that he is not gay, prompting Peter to kiss him. Although shocked, he reacts somewhat positively to the kiss.

Howard's final measure to restore his heterosexuality is the use of a self-help audio cassette, although that fails as well. During the wedding ceremony, Emily recites her vow without hesitation, but when Howard is prompted by the minister, he finally comes out as gay. The wedding is called off, and although Peter is proud of him, Howard is angry with himself for hurting Emily.

Howard is fired from the school because of his coming out. Despite no longer being on the faculty, he is allowed to attend the graduation ceremony to support his students and sits on stage with his former co-workers. Having learned of the ensuing media blitz while in Los Angeles, Cameron flies to his hometown with his supermodel girlfriend and shows up at the ceremony.

When Cameron learns that his former teacher became ineligible for the "Teacher of the Year" award due to being dismissed for being gay, he publicly questions if the reason given, that the community would not have supported Howard's continued employment, is valid. Spurred on by this, when one student who got into college—thanks to Howard's hard work—proclaims himself to be gay, his classmates join him to proclaim themselves to be gay as well, showing their support. Howard's family follows suit, as do his friends, and all the townsfolk assembled. Although Howard does not win "Teacher of the Year", Cameron presents him with his Oscar to the cheers of the crowd.

Howard's wedding-crazy mother finally gets a wedding—her own, when she and her husband renew their vows. Howard, Peter and the rest of the townsfolk attend the reception. Among the crowd are Emily and Cameron, who appear to have begun a relationship. Everyone dances to the [[Village People]] song "[[Macho Man (song)|Macho Man]]".