Actor JD Pardo portrays slain transgender teen, Gwen Araujo—here dressed for her sister’s wedding day. The Lifetime Original Movie ‘A GIRL LIKE ME: The Gwen Araujo Story,’ premieres Monday, June 19.
Imagine feeling like you’re trapped in the wrong body, that there’s been some sort of mistake—that you’re supposed to be a girl instead of a boy. How would you tell your family and friends that you wanted to change genders? Would you bring it up with someone you had a crush on? And what would you do when society not only refused to accept the new you, but was violent toward you? Well, Eddie Araujo didn’t know the answers, but he did know he was supposed to be female, so he began to dress as a girl and changed his name to Gwen.
You won’t believe what Gwen endured just to live her life as who she was and feel normal. It’s a shocking true story about courage and tolerance, and is sure to stay with you long after the credits roll.
A GIRL LIKE ME: The Gwen Araujo Story premieres Monday, June 19 on Lifetime TV. Based on a true story, the Lifetime Original Movie follows Sylvia Guerrero (Mercedes Ruehl, Married to the Mob), a single mother whose teenager (J.D. Pardo, American Dreams), born Eddie Araujo, boldly decides to live life as a female by growing long hair, wearing women’s clothing and make-up and eventually adopting the name Gwen, after her idol, singer Gwen Stefani.
Her difficult decision creates tension and conflict within her traditional close-knit Latino family but over time, they slowly learn to understand and accept Gwen’s choice. When Gwen’s transgender status is discovered by four males at a local party, they brutally beat and kill her. Gwen’s senseless murder shakes her Northern California community and makes headlines across the nation. Sylvia decides to dedicate her life to bringing her daughter’s killers to justice and advocating for the rights of all transgender people. The film also stars Lupe Ontiveros (Desperate Housewives, Selena). Produced by Braun Entertainment Group and Sony Pictures Television and co-executive produced by attorney Gloria Allred, who represented the family during the murder trial.