Kirk Read | Author
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. What are some examples of Read's positive feelings about his sexuality? How do these compare to any of his negative feelings?
2. Read chooses to come out to each of his friends separately; why do you think he chose to do this? What significance does his choice of location have? Explain.
3. Why did Read chose writing as a tool to express his feelings? Why do you think he was willing to share his work?
4. In what ways was Read obtrusive about his sexuality? How did this change as he grew older? In what ways was he obvious about his sexuality? Did he chose a stereotypical "gay" lifestyle as a young adult? Explain.
5. Read chooses to end the story with his graduation from high school. Why does he choose this occasion? In what way does graduation symbolize freedom? How did your graduation represent freedom for you?
6. Read says his mom helped him come out. In what ways did both of Read's parents support him during adolescence? In what ways did they discourage him? Are they good parents? Do you believe, as Read seems to, that his father had no idea of his sexual orientation?
7. How did Read's friends feel about him? How did these opinions change as high school went on? Did they correspond to his opening up to people about his sexuality?
8. Did any of Read's teachers ever show any prejudices against him? How did his teachers help him to become more open about his sexuality?
9. Throughout the book, Read is attracted to older men. How did this help him learn more about his sexuality and gay issues? Is he exploited or exploiting?
10. What explains Read's parents' acceptance of his dating much older men?
11. How did the AIDS epidemic affect Read? How did he react and what did he learn from AIDS becoming a widely talked about issue? What ideas expressed in the book continue to shock people today?
12. What is unique about Read's writing? How does it differ from the attitudes of other gay writers you may have read?
13. At one point Read is attacked in the hall at school. Did this or any other part of the book shock you? Did this book introduce to you any problems gay teenagers are faced with that you were formerly unaware of?
14. Does anyone in the book owe Read an apology? Should Read apologize to anyone?