Joey's lack of medical or legal recourse after his romantic partner Cody's death is based in fact. Many real-life gay couples in the US have found themselves in similarly difficult circumstances in hospitals after one of them had a serious injury or developed a grave illness.
Sebastian Banes (as Sebastian Brodziak) won the Young Artist Award for Best Supporting Young Actor Age Ten and Under.
Even though the story is set in Tennessee, the movie was filmed entirely at locations within New York State, including Yonkers, New York City, and Westchester County.