Bruno (Alex D. Linz) is sufficiently smarter and stranger than the other kids in his Roman Catholic school that they bully him relentlessly. Undaunted, Bruno insists on wearing a dress during the school spelling bee, not because he wants to be feminine, but rather to feel more comfortable. His estranged dad (Gary Sinise) is utterly confused by his son, and his mother (Stacey Halprin) has troubles of her own, but Bruno finds support from new classmate Shaniqua (Kiami Davael).