Contemporary Realistic Fiction (GLBT)

The three books we read for this week deal with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transvestite issues.  The three books are similiar but also very different in their own ways.

ANNIE ON MY MIND was written in 1983 and was a ground breaking novel that no one knew what to do with.  This book was typically banned from schools.  The story deals with two young girls, in high school, whose friendship develops into real love.  They find away to have some alone time at the home of a couple of Eliza's teachers'  While there they learn that the two women that live there are lesbians.  The two girls get caught and in the  middle of it, the two teachers also get punished.  The story takes place in New York and I think it would be fascinating to do more research on the marriage laws that have recently been passed in numerous states, including New York.  How would this story/book be different if it was written now?  The writing is very smooth and gentle.

Jump now to LUNA, which starts with what seems two girls discussing makeup and beauty tips.  We soon learn that this is our introduction to Luna, Reagan's brother who believes he is a girl, stuck in a boy's body.  During the day he is Liam, a smart, popular senior in high school but inside he is miserable trying to make his father proud but not letting his true self be known.  This story is told from Regan's point of view and her anger shows through.  Her life seems to be on hold while she tries to help her brother/sister slowly let the world know how he really feels on the inside.  He is becoming more and more bold about the when and where of wearing his woman's clothes.  We learn additional information as we read Reagan's memories from birthday parties and other family events.  She doesn't understand how her parents couldn't already know the truth.  Her family seems to be falling apart.

The last book in this group is FREAK SHOW by James St. James.  (Yes, that is really his name!) The author is actually a well known drag queen.  The main character, Billy Bloom, is new in school.  He has moved from Conneicut to Florida.  Florida is a red state and the other students in his school don't look to kindly on Billy's choice to wear woman's clothes to school.  The story is written in a first person narrative. The reader is brought along to the new school that Billy is constantly making fiun of along with it's cliques of students.  Billy is very comfortable in his body and is not afraid to let everyone know.