This major motion picture opens nationally on Friday, April 17.

The Twentieth Century Fox film explores the friendship between Nina Borowski (Jennifer Aniston), a New York social worker, and George Hansen (Paul Rudd), a grade-school teacher. When George is dumped by his boyfriend, he reluctantly moves in with Nina, a woman he has only recently met.

When Nina discovers she is pregnant she asks George to raise the child with her, instead of with Vince (John Pankow), her long time boyfriend and father of her baby. Many of the scenes in film depict George hard at work as a devoted and respected teacher. The film also stars Alan Alda, Tim Daly and Nigel Hawthorne.

"As a parent, Object of My Affection touches on something very close to my own heart," said Joan M. Garry, GLAAD Executive Director. "This film demonstrates to the movie-going public that families are made up of all kinds of people who love and respect one another, including gay people."

"Until this film lesbian and gay teachers, especially first-grade teachers, have been portrayed negatively or hardly at all," said Kevin Jennings, GLSEN's Executive Director. "The lesson with The Object of My Affection seems to be that a mainstream Hollywood movie can treat lesbian and gay teachers as complex and interesting characters. It makes its mark by be insensitive and honest, and I hope other films will follow The Object of My Affection's lead."

"I'm thrilled to see this touching story make it to the big screen in such a stylish and accurate manner," said Chastity Bono, GLAAD Entertainment Media Director. "Object of My Affection is devoid of the stereotypes that often plague screen adaptations of lesbian and gay lives. This film will most certainly go down in history as a landmark portrayal of a gay man."

GLAAD is the nation's lesbian and gay media advocacy organization. GLAAD promotes fair, accurate and inclusive representations of individuals and events in the media as a means of combating homophobia and all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity.

With over 60 chapters, a membership of 5,000 teachers, parents, and concerned citizens, GLSEN is the only national organization working to ensure that schools are places where all people are valued and respected, regardless of sexual orientation.

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) at www.glaad.org.