Shakespeareoncesaid,"whattangledwebsweweave",andthisisthethrough-lineofOntheFringeofWild.Peterisayounggaymanwhosefatheristryingtomakeamanofhimbytakinghimcamping.Heisalsoatalentedartistwhousesdrawingtoescapehislifeandhopestogetintoaprestigiousartschool.Heisbeingbulliedbyalmosteveryoneatschool,especiallythepopularboyMiles,whohimselfisclosetedandusingatoughguyimageandagirlfriendonhisarmashisdefensefrombeingfoundout.MilesishavingasecretaffairwithJack,averyinsecureyoungmanlivinginconstantfearofhisveryviolentandabusivealcoholicfather.WhenJackandPetereachescapetheirlivingsituations,achanceencounterwillchangetheirlivesforeverasthetwosetupatemporaryhomefreeofthebigotryandviolencetheyhaveendured.Astheybecomecloseandtrytobetheirauthenticselves,Jackcannolongertaketheforcesthataretryingtotearthemapart,leadingtoanendingthatisincrediblydifficulttoacceptbutalltoooftenarealityformanyLGBTQyouth.