Tanner is a passionate comic book enthusiast and finds himself navigating the complexities of being one of the only two openly gay individuals at North Gateway High School, located somewhere in New Jersey. His best friend, Brent, is also gay and eager to embrace his identity by becoming a trendy Gay Best Friend (G.B.F.), while Tanner is not quite ready to follow suit. Together with their straight friend Glenn and the always-cynical Sophie, who maintains a colorful hairstyle, they are part of a unique social dynamic that extends beyond the confines of typical high school life.
Complicating matters is the strong presence of three popular girls: Fawcett, who is known for her stunning blonde locks, the cheerful Mormon Ashley (affectionately called 'Shley), and the talented Caprice, an African-American student who often lands the lead roles in school performances. Each girl has her own quirks and superficialities, and Brent dreams of being the G.B.F. to all three, hoping to elevate his social status.
Within the school resides a Gay-Straight Alliance, meant to provide support for LGBTQ+ students, yet ironically it lacks any active gay members. Soledad is tasked with the mission of recruiting members, unaware of any other gay students who exist. To seek help, she introduces a phone app designed to connect LGBTQ+ individuals. In a moment of mischief, Brent downloads the app onto Tanner's phone, but their plan spirals out of control when the phone is confiscated by a teacher, exposing Tanner’s identity to the entire school.
Angry at Brent for his role in the outing, Tanner distances himself from his best friend, while the popular girls see an opportunity in Tanner’s newfound visibility. To shield himself from bullying, particularly from Hamilton, Fawcett’s ex-boyfriend, Tanner chooses to embrace his popularity by aligning himself with the trio of girls who present an air of camaraderie despite their competitive nature.
As Tanner navigates each girl’s personality, he finds unexpected kindness in Fawcett; she offers science tutoring, showcasing her unexpected depth beyond her glamorous facade. Meanwhile, 'Shley’s boyfriend, Topher, complicates matters when he shows attraction to Tanner, sensing an imminent transition in his own life. Caprice, hoping to have Tanner join the school production of "The Wiz," raises questions about his authentic expression of sexuality, leaving Tanner in a state of confusion.
Meanwhile, Brent struggles with his own feelings of isolation, encouraged by his mother to engage in the gay cinema world to find solace. Despite their issues, Tanner's popularity soars, making him a candidate for prom king. At a wild party facilitated through the app, he meets Christian, a boy with whom he hopes to attend the prom. However, tensions arise when 'Shley, intoxicated, mistakes Glenn for gay and inadvertently complicates relationships within their group.
Amid these developments, Tanner's aspirations to attend the prom with Christian are thwarted by the strict rules enforced by the judgmental McKenzie, leading to protests and turmoil. The escalating chaos forces Principal Rowe to cancel the traditional prom, leaving Fawcett to step up and create an alternative event, albeit with her own restrictions.
On the night of this alternative prom, Tanner attends with Fawcett, yet finds meaningful moments with Christian amidst the revelry. As Tanner and Fawcett are crowned Prom King and Prom Queen, the evening takes a turn when Brent’s prank, initially aimed at Tanner, complicates their relationship further as he too is outed that night.
Through a blend of friendships, love interests, and the trials of teen life, Tanner's journey becomes a poignant exploration of identity, acceptance, and the connection between friends in a world marked by societal expectations.
