I'm coming out! I want the world to know; I've got to let it show!
Every great journey begins with a single step. No matter how hard it may be, there's no shame or guilt in being who you are; that's why coming out matters. In honor of National Coming Out Day on October 11, here are some top picks to celebrate!
Is there such a thing as perfect? For the shy yet ambitious Kevin, it's something to strive for. In the page-turning graphic novel Coming Out Perfect #1: A Graphic Novel, Kevin decides on a drastic way to come out: by aligning himself with Raymond, a popular gay kid who is everything Kevin isn't. However, Kevin must decide if the sacrifice is worth it, especially at the expense of abandoning his friends.
Being a freshman in high school can be quite the experience. From new lockers to getting lost in the hallways, they don't call them "fresh meat" for nothing. However, Dani embarks on a journey of juggling homework and romance. In My Not So Perfect Crush, Dani finds herself attracted to fellow cheerleader Jaz, which puts the entire squad at risk. Worse, Dani's infatuation alienates her from her best friend, Adriana. Whether Dani acts on these feelings remains to be seen.
At 16, life is about fun, puberty, acne, and living carefree. For Matt Franco, he's carrying a burden far heavier than his undocumented immigrant status: he's gay. When he meets James Alberte in class, his heart skips a beat. James is charming, kind, sweet, and handsome. The Other Side of the Ocean sees Matt embark on a journey to not only reveal his feelings to James, but also to himself.
We all play a role in someone's life. We are daughters, sons, best friends, and sometimes wingmen/wingwomen. For Kai, he is the golden child; a standout student and best friend who pours into everyone but himself. In the delightful page-turner I Can't Even Think Straight, opens a new window, Kai wants to be unapologetically himself, but when false rumors spread about him and his best friend Matt, he takes matters into his own hands.
What happens when you're caught between your sexuality and your religion? You follow your heart. The graphic novel Gaytheist, opens a new window sees young Lonnie realize he is gay and engages in a balancing act of being himself against his strict Jewish upbringing.
Do you have any suggestions? Sound off in the comments below.
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