Break the Silence (at Home) with a Book
guest post by author Kim Oclon (Man Up)
As a former GSA sponsor, I miss the Day of Silence tributes the high school hosted each year. Some were more successful than others. My favorite was when we sold these rainbow bracelets for a quarter to signify one’s involvement in the day. Every year, after school, we’d circle around the flagpole in the faculty parking lot to scream our heads off as other students walked by or got on buses. This year, though, there won’t be any Day of Silence events at high schools around the country so what better way to be silent than read a book?
Starting with John Donovan’s I’ll Get There. It Better be Worth the Trip in 1969 all the way to now, readers have hundreds of novels to choose from that feature LGBTQ characters. I remember hearing an author speak at a conference almost five years ago in which he shared that when his debut novel was first sent out to publishers, he actually got feedback suggesting he make the main character straight instead of gay. Imagine the Twitter storm that would have erupted (rightfully so) if that kind of feedback were given today.
Despite the increased representation in novels, films, and TV shows, there are too many kids who are bullied harassed, and discriminated against because of their sexuality and gender identity. In honor of the Day of Silence, I’d like to share three of my most beloved books that break the silence.
Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan
The narrator of this novel is a Greek chorus of gay men who died of AIDS in the 1980’s who desperately want to share their experiences and feelings with several LGBTQ kids who are in various stages on their journey to self-discovery acceptance. The various narratives unfold as Harry and Craig attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest kiss. The passion of the narrator combined with the community that rallies around the boys kissing at their school’s flagpole is a perfect read for this Day of Silence.
Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg
I might be a little biased in this suggestion. Bill Konigsberg is one of my favorite authors and it all started with this book. Openly Straight follows Rafe from his life in Colorado with a mom who is president of the local PFLAG chapter, to a boarding school in New England (think Dead Poets Society), where all he wants to do is NOT be known as “the gay kid.” Rafe decides he’s not going to tell anyone despite being out and proud back home. It’s an interesting reversal and explores the theme of our world’s needs to label people as one thing or another that Konigsberg explores so well in each of his novels. Rafe chooses to be silent for different reasons, but as you can probably guess, he doesn’t stay that way.
Robin’s Talley’s three most recent novels remind our world that just because the representation of LGBTQ people seems relatively new, struggles with sexuality and gender identity is not. Pulp is a novel that features a present day timeline and one from 1955 where two girls discover their feelings for one another during the Lavender Scare. This book breaks the long held silence of LGBTQ teens that lived decades ago. Robin Talley’s novels serve as a reminder of where we started, how far we’ve come, and how we’re still dealing with many of the issues that forces some kids to remain silent.
This is by no means a comprehensive list of all the amazing work being done by so many others. These are a few that came to mind when compiling a list of books that might be good to visit on the Day of Silence. If none of these novels suit your fancy, perhaps check out my debut young adult novel, Man Up. It features a gay baseball player whose main goal is to get through his last few months of high school without anyone finding out about his secret boyfriend. Just a suggestion.
I hope next year schools across the nation can resume their observations of the Day of Silence, but until then, perhaps find some camaraderie in the pages of a book. And when you get to the end of the book or at the point where you feel the silence is broken, go outside, take a deep breath and scream as loud as you can.
Thank you so much to Kim Oclon for writing this guest post in honor of Day of Silence. Check out her website or follow her on Twitter!
Break the Silence (at Home) With a Book - guest post from author Kim Oclon #ontheblog #dayofsilence #lgbtq Click To Tweet
Whilst not familiar with this, the Day Of Silence movement (I admit to having to Google it) thank you to Kim for sharing what sounds like some inspirational books. That Pulp features a present day timeline and one from 1955 particularly interests me.
Of the books featuring LGBT+ characters it is perhaps Mr Loverman, a book that pulls no punches when it comes to certain issues (homophobia, immigrant communities, domestic unrest and casual racism included) that first comes to mind.
http://pettywitter.blogspot.com/2013/08/mr-loverman.html
Thanks for the recommendation – I’ve never heard of Mr. Loverman.
Day of Silence is such an important ritual to follow at the schools. I’d add to the list The Cabin At The End of The World by Paul Tremblay. It features a gay couple and their adopted daughter in a horror novel!
Ooh I’ll have to check that one out. I just read my first Tremblay novel this month.
I am reading another David Levithan book right now. Thanks for bringing attention to Day of Silence – so important!
<3 <3 <3 I love this
Very informative guest post. Thanks for sharing the suggestions, Kim. I like the sound of your book so glad you included it on the list. LGBQ awareness and rights have come a long way, but stereotyping and prejudice still exists, sadly. Books are a great way to diminish this. Thanks, Lauren.
I’ve only read one by Konigsberg but I definitely want to read more. Openly Straight is one I want to pick up soon.
For some reason I hate books. I can read a magazine or newspaper, but having to sit for a book read is not my cup of tea. Good on ya all who can do it.
THanks for sharing these!
Thanks for the great list of books. I haven’t read any of these- but they sound like perfect reads. The Day of Silence definitely looked different this year, but I am glad it was still observed. Stay safe!
Thanks for the great list of books. I haven’t read any of these- but they sound like perfect reads. The Day of Silence definitely looked different this year, but I am glad it was still observed. Stay safe!
I feel sad for the seniors who missed so many events this spring. Great choice of books.
Great post. Thanks so much for sharing these books. It’s a shame the students won’t get to take part in the Day of Silence at their schools this year.
I haven’t heard of The day of Silence movement but what a wonderful initiative. LGBT+ teens and teens of colour are our most vulnerable students and there needs to be more programs in place to support their needs and for schools to promote inclusive environments. Looking forward to checking out Man Up, such a wonderful post with lots of brilliant recommendations!
Thanks, Kelly! I definitely agree that more programs need to be in place in schools for LGBT+ and other diverse students.
Thanks for sharing these, LGBT books are one of the strongest ones out there. I’m glad there is more awareness now.
Great ideas for ways to do Day of Silence even when you can’t gather with others!