(For every Neil Patrick Harris, who’s only gained credibility since coming out, there’s a Clay Aiken, whose female fan base was shocked and disappointed.)

They built a platform in the swimming pool at the country house for Ms. Spyer and were there from the first warm breath of spring until Labor Day. Still dancing, but to the tunes played by time.

At first glance this may seem like a small thing. I’m here to tell you that the addition of these four little letters has far-reaching impact. For LGBT youth who are just coming out, this kind of accessibility to diverse and affirming images can have an enormous impact on their self-esteem, serving as a much-needed counterbalance to the bullying and harassment that so many of our young people must navigate. For LGBT people who live outside major urban areas and aren’t lucky enough to have access to LGBT film festivals, these films can be a sociocultural lifeline. For anyone who has ever felt isolated or alone in their gay identity, access to films that reflect and celebrate our lives can truly be a lifesaving experience.