Freeheld is based on a 2007 short documentary which told the true story of New Jersey police officer Laurel Hester, who on being diagnosed with cancer fought to pass on her pension benefits to partner Stacie Andree.

In 2005 only people in heterosexual marriages in that jurisdiction could pass on their pensions to their partners when they died.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the crew was given permission to film at Salesian High School in New Rochelle, New York County, only to have principal John Flaherty later say the decision had been reversed.

Producer Michael Shamberg said administrators had allowed a TV commercial and music video to be filmed at the school.

"They turned us down because of the subject matter," Mr Shamberg told The Hollywood Reporter.

BuzzFeed News in the US reports that when its reporter asked Mr Flaherty why the school did not want a movie with gay content filmed on campus, he wrote that everyone was welcome at the school.

"Our school chooses to embrace the social issues such as hunger, homelessness, poverty, and helping the less fortunate," he wrote.

When BuzzFeed asked for more specifics, Mr Flaherty said: "I will let my initial statement stand for itself."

The star of hit film Juno, Page came out as being gay in February.

She said she was tired of hiding and wanted to help young gay people embrace their sexuality.

On Wednesday morning Australian-time she tweeted her support for students at Salesian High School.

The new film Freeheld is based on this 2007 documentary of the same name.