Boys Don't Cry offers an empathetic and complex portrayal of Brandon Teena, a trans man, highlighting his pursuit of identity and love. While depicting the brutal realities of transphobia and violence, the film frames these obstacles as external societal failures, ultimately affirming the dignity and worth of LGBTQ+ lives despite the tragic outcome.

Boys Don't Cry portrays Brandon Teena, a trans man, with dignity and complexity as he navigates love and identity. While the narrative culminates in extreme violence and tragedy, the film's stance is deeply empathetic, framing the prejudice and murder as horrific injustices. The portrayal humanizes Brandon's experience and affirms the worth of his life, condemning the transphobic violence he endures.

The film strongly portrays the breakdown of traditional family structures, featuring a protagonist who challenges traditional gender roles and sexual norms, and depicting dysfunctional biological families alongside the formation of alternative, often volatile, chosen families. Traditional family values are largely absent or undermined.