Howard Beckett (Kevin Kline) is a quiet and unassuming English teacher in Indiana, living with his long-suffering fiancée, Emily (Joan Cusack). One of his former pupils, Cameron Drake (Matt Dillon), is now a successful Hollywood actor. When Cameron wins an Academy Award for his portrayal of a gay soldier, he gives thanks and credit in his acceptance speech for the inspiration to play a gay man to Howard, by announcing on television that Howard is gay. Soon to be married, Howard is shocked by being called gay, and tries to reassure all around him, including his school administrator (Bob Newhart), his fiancée, and his mother (Debbie Reynolds) that he is straight. But Howard finds himself conflicted over what is his true nature, despite going to great efforts to prove otherwise. A reporter named Peter Malloy (Tom Selleck) befriends Howard begins to draw out Howard's true inner self and finally Howard realizes that he is gay. Fired over this turn of events, his students rally around him and support their teacher against the prejudice of the others in the town.