I'm Here. I'm Queer. What the Hell do I read?

A Life of Experience - A Gay Teen Grows Up

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:02:00 +0000

Abused by his father, Michael Parker leaves home at sixteen and becomes embroiled in the gay prostitution scene on the streets of London. From there he then finds himself involved in gay pornography and is quite successful and in demand. Wishing to get away from that world, he manages to escape and become a male model. His good looks and natural ability in front of a camera lead him into television as a legitimate actor but at the pinnacle of his career his early life is exposed in the press and he confronts his nemesis with disastrous consequences. Ten years after winning a BAFTA award for best newcomer Michael has to start rebuilding his life all over again.

This book was published through a subsidy publisher. My thanks to Lis for letting me know about "A Life Of Experiene." Add your review in comments!

Letters From The Closet - A Girl's Memoir About Her Relationship With Her Gay Teacher

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Letters From the Closet by Amy Hollingsworth

It was an improbable relationship from the start—a high school English teacher, still in the closet, and his best student. From the confines—and protection—of his closet, Amy’s teacher wrote these letters, letters that were read, cherished, answered, and then locked away for years.

Now Amy looks back at the decade of intimate letters that preceded her teacher’s untimely death, collects the shards left by their clumsy, sometimes violent attempts to unmask each other, and counts again the cost of knowing and being known.

Recommended for older teens. Add your review of "Letters From The Closet" in comments!

W.N.B.A. Top Draft Pick Brittney Griner's Awesome Coming Out Essay (And "It Gets Better Video")

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:05:00 +0000

Brittney Griner, photo from NY Times, Matt York/Associated Press

Brittney Griner, a senior at Baylor University, was the top selection in the W.N.B.A. draft, and will be playing for the Phoenix Mercury. She won the Naismith Trophy as the outstanding women’s basketball player in 2012 and 2013. Last week, she wrote this essay that was published in the New York Times.

It includes these profound words:

It’s taken me a long time to figure out exactly where I fit. During that journey, I realized that everyone has a unique place in this world. I also discovered that the more open I was with my family and friends, the more I embraced others, and the more committed I became to doing the things I love, like basketball, skating and, of course, eating bacon (the greatest food of all time), the more love and confidence I received in return.

I just had to hang in there and be myself.

Hurray for Brittney! You are a light.

And here's Brittney's "It Gets Better" Video:

The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket - a middle grade book about being different... (with a lesbian balloonist couple)

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:04:00 +0000

The Terrible Thing That Happened To Barnaby Brocket by John Boyne

Barnaby Brocket is an ordinary 8-year-old boy in most ways, but he was born different in one important way: he floats. Unlike everyone else, Barnaby does not obey the law of gravity. His parents, who have a horror of being noticed, want desperately for Barnaby to be normal, but he can't help who he is. And when the unthinkable happens, Barnaby finds himself on a journey that takes him all over the world. From Brazil to New York, Canada to Ireland, and even to space, the floating boy meets all sorts of different people — including a lesbian hot air balloonist couple - and discovers who he really is along the way.

Add your review of "The Terrible Thing That Happened To Barnaby Brocket" in comments!

Maiden Rose - An Unsettling Study of Power, War, and Sexual Assault

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:03:00 +0000

Maiden Rose by Fusanosuke Inariya

Maiden Rose is a military-action-romance about commander Taki Reizen and his loyal knight, Claus von Wolfstadt. Set in an alternate Japan in the year 1928, Taki and his soldiers defend their nation from foreign invaders in a seemingly endless war. For mysterious reasons, Taki refuses to pursue his affections for Claus, but remembering bygone days when Taki expressed his love, Claus continually forces himself upon Taki in hopes of arousing repressed feelings. Between moments of brutal intimacy, these two men fight side-by-side to hold their forces together and protect their people.

This manga delves deeply into the sacrifices that come with leadership, the pain of war, and the damaging effects of unequal power dynamics in relationships. The pages hold a sinister atmosphere augmented by the setting, style of dress, and weaponry, all of which point to the forerunners of the Imperial Japanese and Nazi armies of World War II. Theoretically, Taki and Claus are good guys in the story, but their resemblance to real life war criminals is disturbing.

In addition, the manga features several rape scenes which technically pertain to the story but are largely erotic episodes for readers that fantasize about such things. Whether literarily necessary or not, these graphic scenes are very unsettling and often denigrate the idea that sex shared between men can be tender, loving, and meaningful. Interspersed between these traumatic experiences are moments of tenderness between Taki and Claus. This addition to the motif that rapists are actually lovers tragically reinforces a culture that accepts rape. Let it be stated here clearly: sexual contact between people should always be mutually consensual; when it is not consensual, that is rape; rape is never okay. Not ever.

Maiden Rose is composed of four volumes. With all the graphic and violent sexual content, I would not have read this manga before being eighteen-years-old. In fact, were it not necessary to write this review, I probably would not have finished the first volume.

Review by Aaron Walsh. Add your review of "Maiden Rose" in comments.

Department Of Magic - A Fantasy series with Queer Characters

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:02:00 +0000

Department of Magic series by Brian Dockins

Book 1 – Betrayal of Magic

Cadan Johnson lived a seemingly ordinary life. He was on the soccer and cross country teams and had a loving family. But one thing about the Johnsons made them very unordinary- they could perform magic.

When a mysterious spell on his school counselor backfires, Cadan is faced with the realization that everything he thought he knew about his family has been a lie. He leaves his home to search out the identities of his real parents, but before he can discover the truth, he is tracked down by another group of magic-wielders, this time sent by the government.

The top-secret Department of Magic was set up in the 1930s when the U.S. government became aware of the existence of mages and fantastical creatures. For the last eighty years, the agency has been commissioned with searching out and detaining these magical beings, and making sure everyone else believes they are no more than myth.

Now a detainee within the Department, Cadan quickly realizes the truth – that not everything in this world is quite as it seems. The Femme Fatales, a world famous all-female pop group is actually a troupe of fairies. And Tyler Knox, the teen heartthrob, is secretly an elf who has had to alter his ears before appearing in movies.

Now a rookie agent, Cadan begins to train with his new team of misfit operatives, among them one boy with four arms who is afraid of the dark, another with black wings, and an elf with anger management issues. The group fights constantly, their training sessions are disasters, and to top it off, the leader of the team hates him. But when one of the leaders initiates a plan to destroy the Department, the only thing that stands in his way is Cadan and his ragtag band. With the fate of the Department at stake, will they be able to stop the rogue agent and his forces?

What's queer about it? The author writes:

The main character Cadan spends a good deal of the first book “feeling different”. Part of that feeling stems from the fact that he can perform magic, but there is another underlying layer behind his feelings. He forms a close friendship with his roommate and best friend, and I have written it in a way that a careful reader (or one who reads LGBT fiction) can pick up on something more between them.

In the second book, Cadan slowly learns that he is attracted to his roommate and expresses those feelings at the end of the book. His roommate, Jude, shoots him down, claiming that he isn’t attracted to men, and in the third book Jude slowly comes to grips with the fact that he is indeed attracted to Cadan. The rest of the series will feature the boys dealing with bumps in their relationship as they work to take down the Department of Magic (DOMA).

I also have several supporting characters, including the flamboyant fairy Gabe, a lesbian named Tess Lennox, and a bi-sexual heartthrob named Luca Ricci. There are numerous other LGBT characters that I introduce throughout the series The seventh book introduces Donella Devine, the first transsexual character in the series.

The descriptions on Amazon don’t explicitly state the queer content of the books mainly because I didn’t want to pigeonhole them as merely “gay fiction”. My hope is that any teenager (or even adult) would read the books as I feel the message of diversity and acceptance is a larger one that transcends sexual preference, gender identity, and all other forms of “differences”.

Book 2 – Shrouded Island

The Department of Magic prepares to counter the rogue Administrator Nolan Burrell and his ever growing army of rebels. The Facilities come together to begin formulating plans to stop the spread of insurrection, but a new threat looming in the distance forces them to put those plans on hold.

The Bermuda Triangle has been one of the biggest mysteries of the century, and even the magical specialists within the Department are clueless to reality that lies beyond the mists. After an entire Paladin team disappears in the Atlantic, a new larger force is assembled – one that includes Hannah Cooper, a young prodigy doctor with an extreme knack for magical healing, and Caira Ogden, a Paladin leader from New York who has just met her twin brother.

Meanwhile, Cadan Ogden finds himself the head of this team. While taking on the responsibilities of leadership, he must also juggle his own secrets, a sister that he hardly knows, and a surprising, blossoming love.

But how will any of that compare to what he finds in the mists of the Bermuda Triangle.

Book 3 – Rise of the Witch

Cadan had hoped that one day his life in the Department would slow down long enough that he could find more information about his parents. On a routine mission, he encounters a voodoo priestess Madame LaDonna who reveals that she knew his parents, and more importantly, she prophecies that Cadan will meet his death soon if he does not make the right choices in the coming day.

Just weeks after defeating Nolan Burrell in the Bermuda Triangle, the rogue Administrator initiates a new plan, this one with more far reaching ramifications for the Department. Cadan and his allies in DOMA race to figure out what their enemy is up to.

One of his teammates, Natalie Gibson, struggles with feelings towards her boyfriend Bryce, who constantly steps in her way in the name of protecting her. She knows she’s strong, but when she is constantly pushed aside, it’s hard to show just what she’s capable of.

In the ranks of the rogue Administrators forces, Cody Cooke struggles to find his place among the others. After seeing the vision of a potential future where he murders one of his own allies, Cody begins to question everything he knows. Will he be able to determine the reason for the strange vision, and when the time comes to make that choice, will he have the courage?

Book 4 – Magic of Heroes

With Nolan Burrell’s forces defeated and on the run, Cadan Ogden and the Department of Magic believe they can finally rest. However, a new threat looms on the horizon. Superheroes straight from a popular comic book appear, and their super powers are not only accurate to the characters, but oddly familiar to Cadan and the Department.

In the midst of the struggle to figure out the secret behind the superheroes, Cadan’s sister Caira struggles with the memory losses she has suffered over the past few months. When she discovers a lost little girl in the forest of Central Park, she is surprised to learn that the girl has the gift of ruhk-magic. Is it mere coincidence that Caira found her, or is there more to the girl’s identity that DOMA doesn’t know?

Tess Lennox is the Paladin leader at the Facility commonly referred to as the Nursery. The students under her care are her top priority and when a new faculty member begins to threaten their safety and well being, Tess is determined to put a stop to it. But when Caira delivers the mysterious young girl from Central Park, Tess makes it her mission to figure out where the girl came from and the identity of her mysterious friend ‘Elf’.

Darius Gibson returned to the Florida Facility, home of the seraphs, elves who have grown wings and can fly. With both black skin and black wings, he finds himself singled out in a sea of blonde haired, blue-eyed elves who spend every waking moment making his life difficult. He can’t escape the feeling that his sister Natalie needs him, but he is determined to gain the acceptance of the other seraphs. Will he return to his friends and sister when they might be in trouble, or will he fulfill his pledge as a member of the Florida team?

Book 5 – Hounds of the Himalayas

Karan Tovar is an agent of the Department of Magic in the Himalayan Reserve, where dragons, griffins, trolls, and the other unsightly magical creatures are housed. When he uncovers an external plot to undermine their security and break into the Facility, will he be able to find the culprits in time to stop them?

Back in the US, Cadan has reached an ethical breaking point in his life within the Department. Tyler Knox, the elf who has been posing as a teen heartthrob, has been keeping a secret from the Department since before Cadan first joined, and now that secret is exposed. Cadan must choose whether or not to help his friend escape, or to take him into custody as his superiors have ordered.

Meanwhile, the Department plans to hold a conference of all agents in Oklahoma, on a campground across the river from a hidden haunted castle. When Cadan decides to enter the dark fortress, he will learn more than he bargained for, and when Nolan Burrell decides to resume his war against the Department, the darkness that haunts its walls may be their only hope.

Through all of this, Cadan must make a decision that could affect him and everyone he knows and loves, changing their lives forever, to send them down a path from which they might never be able to return.

Book 6 – Second Exodus

Cadan Ogden has never had it worse. Wrongfully imprisoned by the Department, he lies in his uncle’s office, awaiting serious punishment that could result in his death. Those of his team that have not been detained or incapacitated are unable to see him, much less rescue him and leave the Department as they had been planning. Is there any hope of escaping his imprisonment? And what will the fate of his teammates be now that they are forced to remain in the Department?

Meanwhile, unrest among the other Facilities begins to reach a boiling point. While outside forces plot to bring DOMA down, there are those who work in secret against these dark powers.

Will Cadan survive his imprisonment? And if he does somehow manage to escape, will he be trading one perilous fate for another?

Book 7 – Hidden Relics

After the death of their loved one, Cadan’s allies flounder to find their way in the midst of Josiah’s encroaching assault.

Tess Lennox tracks Max Ogden and his fictitious super heroes across the country to rescue Cadan’s little brother, Tanner. She knows Max’s plans for the boy, and that his very life hangs in the balance.

Just as Jackson Keyes discovered the location of the Torch and the Southern Order of European mages, the Relic was stolen by a rival group of magic-wielders. Suspecting Jackson as a conspirator, the Order has taken his team captive. Will he be able to convince his jailers that he isn’t responsible before it’s too late? And who is really behind the theft?

Caira Ogden and her Paladins have teamed up with the enigmatic Levi Braun to track down the mages who kidnapped Raney. She has no idea whether or not she can trust him, but she knows that he holds the key to finding both Raney and the Bow of Kaberani, another of the seven Relics needed to ultimately destroy the pretend witch, Nerina.

Back in the US, Natalie must hold her team together following a great tragedy. A spontaneous trip unveils more than they could have imagined, and could also provide another key to defeating the witch. Upon returning from their trip, they learn a staggering truth, one that could lead them all down a dark path, and possibly to their deaths. Will she and her team risk everything they have fought so hard for to rescue someone they all love dearly?

Will this be the end of all of Cadan’s carefully laid plans?

These seven books have been published by the author in his planned 12-book series. Add your reviews of the books in the Department of Magic series in comments!

ANT: Bullied, Bashed, But Not Broken

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

The comedian ANT speaks out in this video about the power of comedy... and the power of being your authentic self.

I loved the idea of each of us tapping into the "infinite power" and "infinite potential" inside us!

Namaste,
Lee

Representations of Gender in Advertising

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

This under five minute video is excellent, with some shocking statistics and thought-provoking images, and it is a great entry point to talk about how men and women are "supposed" to be, and how we need to break free of that mind trap...

Created for

"a Women and Gender Studies class at the University of Saskatchewan by Sarah Zelinski, Kayla Hatzel and Dylan Lambi-Raine [who] wanted to show how ridiculous media portrays gender roles and stereotypes in advertising through presenting gender roll reversals."

It was also interesting that in the "real" ads, all the women conformed to the thin and buxom stereotype of beauty, while in the role reversal ads, there were many different kinds of men portrayed.

What do you think?

How To Repair A Mechanical Heart - An Epic Road Trip, Six Sci-Fi Conventions, and Gay Teen Romance

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Thu, 09 May 2013 10:04:00 +0000

How To Repair A Mechanical Heart by J.C. Lillis

Eighteen-year-old Castaway Planet fans Brandon and Abel hate bad fan fiction—especially when it pairs their number-one TV crushes of all time, dashing space captain Cadmus and dapper android Sim. As co-runners of the Internet’s third most popular Castaway Planet vlog, they love to spar with the “Cadsim” fangirls who think Cadmus will melt Sim’s mechanical heart by the Season 5 finale. This summer, Brandon and Abel have a mission: hit the road in an RV to follow the traveling Castaway Planet convention, interview the actors and showrunner, and uncover proof that a legit Cadsim romance will NEVER, EVER HAPPEN.

A Brandon and Abel romance: also not happening. Brandon’s sick of his struggle to make “gay and Catholic” compute, so it’s safer to love a TV android. Plus Abel’s got a hot new boyfriend with a phoenix tattoo, and how can Brandon compete with that? But when mysterious messages about them start popping up in the fan community, they make a shocking discovery that slowly forces their real feelings to the surface. Before they get to the last Castaway Planet convention, Brandon’s going to find out the truth: can a mechanical heart be reprogrammed, or will his first shot at love be a full system failure?

This book was published by the author. Add your review of "How To Repair A Mechanical Heart" in comments!

Hero Heel - A Raw Exploration of Desperation, Objectifying Others, and Losing Oneself

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:03:00 +0000

Hero Heel by Makoto Tateno

At the beginning of Hero Heel, Minami Masaki is a young actor who lands his first lead role as a superhero on a children’s television show. At first, he feels far too cool for the part, but he soon finds himself trying his best to impress Sawada Kauomi, the experienced actor who plays the villain. Minami soon discovers that Sawada is secretly gay and spends his nights with various lovers. Over time, Minami becomes more aware of his own sexual orientation and grows more and more obsessed with Sawada. The story follows the two men as they alternate between hurting and clinging to each other in a twisted game of attraction and rejection.

This manga is very painful to read. Both Minami and Sawada hurt each other and themselves as they struggle with haunting desires and internal brokenness. Minami lacks the self-esteem to pursue a relationship where he is treated with tenderness and affection. Rather, he acts out of desperation, begging and threatening Sawada into providing scraps of attention that lack any real intimacy.

There is little of anything having to do with love in this manga. Rather, it is a sad portrait of the suffering that results when we lose respect for ourselves and others, when sex becomes something we do to feel good rather than show love, and when people are seen as objects for our satisfaction rather than human beings of infinite value. Minami and Sawada’s relationship is marked by insults, judgment, intimidation, and violence. The idea that these characters are playing out their dysfunctional relationship while acting in a children’s t.v. show highlights Minami’s continual loss of innocence. This story is tragic and awful and, saddest of all, incredibly real. It lays out almost everything one should avoid in a romantic relationship and proves that it’s worth waiting for the right person to come along, because no love is better than bad love.

Hero Heel is composed of three volumes. The series contains lots of explicit and graphic sexual content. In her liner notes, Makoto very clearly states that she wrote this manga for adults. I would not have felt comfortable reading it before being eighteen-years-old.

Review by Aaron Walsh. Add your review of "Hero Heel" in comments!

Prelude To An Empire - A Questioning Twenty-Something Agonizes Over His Life (With Characters of Color)

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:02:00 +0000

Prelude To An Empire by Terry J. Benton

“At 23, how the hell did I get to this point?” Russell Wright asks himself as he sits in his car with a handful of pills, ready to commit suicide. Russell’s life has been a roller coaster ride for as long as he can remember and today he wants to get off – forever.

While growing up in rural Georgia, Russell shares an unusual friendship with his mother, Charlene Wright. Charlene and Russell bond over their private struggle with Russell’s abusive father – a situation that climaxes the night that Russell’s father tries to murder their entire family.

As if things weren’t bad enough with his family issues, Russell has to endure relentless bullying surrounding suspicions about his sexuality – something he has yet to determine for himself. As a result of bullying and conflict with his spirituality, Russell’s personal growth is hindered and he struggles to find himself and his place in the world.

The one bright spot in Russell’s life is his best friend, Mercedes. She is beautiful, a diva, and sometimes a bit too ghetto – but most importantly, she provides comedic relief, strength, and support for Russell… and she’s also a lesbian. Russell and Mercedes’ relationship strengthens over her struggle for acceptance of her lifestyle and they vow to be best friends forever – until they leave for college and their friendship takes a dramatic turn for the worst.

As Russell’s story progresses, he fights to understand himself and the motives of the people in his life, as he experiences the lows and highs of friendships and relationships. In the end, this powerful and dramatic journey comes full circle to resolve the issue of whether he will indeed end his life.

This book is published by the author. Add your review of "Prelude To An Empire" in comments!

And remember, if you or someone you know is feeling desperate or you just need someone to talk to, there's always someone you can talk to at the Trevor Project's lifeline at 1-866-488-7386.

Transforming Practice: A Transgender Resource for Health Care Providers (You May Want To Suggest It To Yours)

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Mon, 06 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Transforming Practice: Life Stories of Transgender Men That Change How Health Providers Work by Marcus Greatheart, MSW

As the publisher writes,

In our experience our trans friends frequently have to educate their healthcare providers and therapists- not to mention the general public- about trans issues, so hopefully this book can grease the wheels for many of them so there's a peer reviewed book/study they can point to that dispels the myth that trans men and people anywhere on the gender spectrum are prone to mental illness and unhappiness. This book has first hand interviews of trans men talking about positive experiences and even describing their transition process as enjoyable.

Add your review of "Transforming Practice" in comments!

The Trans 100 - Profiles of 100 Transgender People in the U.S. Working To Make Things Better

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Fri, 03 May 2013 10:05:00 +0000

"As we carry ourselves over the hurdles, [we must also] reach out a hand to help another trans sister over them as well." –Trisha Lee Holloway, honoree of the 2013 Trans 100

The Trans 100 is inspiring!

It's a treasure trove of people and resources, with lots of links to great sites and blogs among the profiles.

Go check it out!

Namaste,
Lee

The Watch Dog - A Bully Goes Back Home And Has To Deal With His Gay Brother

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Thu, 02 May 2013 10:04:00 +0000

The Watch Dog by Sandy Lo

Garrett “Rett” Baker has taken one too many wrong turns in life that slam him into a dead-end. He finds himself forced to return to his small town life in middle Tennessee where he left behind broken relationships and bad memories. With plans to leave as soon as he saves some cash, Garrett finds himself living in his deceased grandmother’s home.

Bittersweet memories come rushing back to Garrett, and the ghosts of his past begin to haunt him. The one thing from his childhood he keeps trying to find–his long gone mutt, Brownie, seems to be what is leading him to places he doesn’t want to go, and people he never wanted to see again.

This book was published by the author. Add your review of "The Watch Dog" in comments!

"The Cain Saga" and "Godchild" - Gothic Mystery Mangas with a Misery-Laden Gay Love Affair

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Wed, 01 May 2013 10:03:00 +0000

The Cain Saga is a prequel to the gothic mystery classic, Godchild. Since the two series go together, I’ll go ahead and cover them both. Surprise! This time, you get two reviews in one!

The Cain Saga and Godchild by Kaori Yuki

Godchild follows the young and emotionally-damaged Earl Cain Hargreaves as he unearths family secrets and solves gruesome crimes in the grim society of early-twentieth-century London. Always standing by his side with caring actions and consoling words is Riff, Cain’s loyal servant and soul mate. The road is winding and harsh for the two men, and their paths are haunted by heartbreak, betrayal, and tragedy. The Cain Saga contains short stories of Cain and Riff solving crimes before the events of Godchild. Their relationship is not as fleshed-out in this prequel series, but they still share moments of gentle connection and understanding as they try to bring justice to a fallen world.

Both series are incredibly depressing. I’m not kidding. The characters endure unthinkable abuse, rejection, deceit, and cruelty, and the stories delve deeper into human misery than many would like to ever go. But while they are certainly not happy, these manga are compelling and might be meaningful to the right reader. Underneath the intense emotional landscape runs an ongoing criticism of classist and sexist oppression in British society. These themes inspire us to fight these evils in our world today. In addition, the complex and thought-provoking characters could potentially expand one’s understanding of human nature. Cain acts like he doesn’t care about anyone, yet he is constantly doing his best to help others. So is he a sociopath or a hero? And with all that Cain and Riff have endured, can they ever find happiness together? Is their love strong enough to withstand the forces that would tear them apart?

My major objection to these works is that they tend to romanticize suicide. Many characters seek death to escape pain or humiliation, and they are sometimes aided by the story’s protagonist. Suicide is a tragic symptom of mental illness that results in heartbreak for those left behind. It is never the right answer to any problem. Each life is precious, and there is hope for those who suffer. Drinking Shakespearean poison may seem poignant and poetic but it isn’t. True beauty lies in facing one’s burdens with courage and seeking the help one needs to make it through another day.

The Cain Saga is eight volumes and Godchild is composed of five volumes.

This series takes the reader to places of terror and anguish. The manga contains grisly violence, sexual references, and all sorts of disturbing imagery. This content is relevant to the story and by no means a recipe for voyeuristic thrills, but I would not have felt comfortable reading this manga before being eighteen-years-old. In fact, it still kind of freaks me out at the age of twenty-six!

While the actual story panels are endlessly serious, the author, Kaori Yuki, fills her liner notes with fun references to American pop culture. Her sweet, humorous messages are a welcome relief from Cain’s agony. Learn more about her at her wikipedia page or here.

Review by Aaron Walsh. Add your review of any of the issues or the series for "The Cain Saga" and "Godchild" in comments!

Remember, if you or anyone you know is in crisis and needs someone to talk to, The Trevor Project can help. They have a toll-free lifeline, 866-488-7386 that's open 24 hours, every single day of the year.

NBA Center Jason Collins Comes Out As Gay... The First Openly Gay Athlete Playing In One of America's Four Major Team Sports!

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:50:00 +0000

Huzzah!

This story appears in the May 6, 2013, issue of Sports Illustrated.

Jason Collins writes:

I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay.

I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, "I'm different." If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand.

NBA commissioner David Stern said,

"Jason has been a widely respected player and teammate throughout his career and we are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue.”

and Nike, Jason's corporate sponsor, was also supportive,

"Jason (Collins) is a Nike athlete. We are a company committed to diversity and inclusion."

It has been a looooong time in coming - happy news! And the last words of this post go to Jason, who wrote in his piece in Sports Illustrated:

Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it's a good place to start. It all comes down to education. I'll sit down with any player who's uneasy about my coming out. Being gay is not a choice. This is the tough road and at times the lonely road. Former players like Tim Hardaway, who said "I hate gay people" (and then became a supporter of gay rights), fuel homophobia. Tim is an adult. He's entitled to his opinion. God bless America. Still, if I'm up against an intolerant player, I'll set a pretty hard pick on him. And then move on.

The most you can do is stand up for what you believe in. I'm much happier since coming out to my friends and family. Being genuine and honest makes me happy.

I'm glad I can stop hiding and refocus on my 13th NBA season. I've been running through the Santa Monica Mountains in a 30-pound vest with Shadow, the German shepherd I got from Mike Miller. In the pros, the older you get, the better shape you must be in. Next season a few more eyeballs are likely to be on me. That only motivates me to work harder.

We're cheering you on, Jason!

Lee

p.s. - my thanks to Karol for the first of many heads-up about this story!

Resources: The Sylvia Rivera Law Project's "Toilet Training" Video - The Challenge People Who Don't Conform To Gender Norms Face In Just Needing To Use The Bathroom

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:00:00 +0000

This excerpt from a longer video is thought-provoking!

The video addresses the persistent discrimination, harassment, and violence that people who transgress gender norms face in gender segregated bathrooms. Using the stories of people who have been harassed, arrested or beaten for trying to use bathrooms, Toilet Training focuses on bathroom access in public space, in schools, and at work.

Find out more at the Sylvia Rivera Law Project.

The Transformational Project - Jen Rosenstein Photographs Transgender People

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:05:00 +0000

This Transformational Project, as conceptualized by photographer Jen Rosenstein, is

"a platform for the trans community to express themselves any way they want."

It's a powerful project, both in its images and its impact - as reported on ABCnews, for some of the transgender subjects, it's the first time they've ever been photographed as who they really are.

You can see more of the Transformational Project images at Jen Rosenstein's website (note that some photos are nudes.)

Namaste,
Lee

Universal Forces - A Hetero Teen Romantic Thriller With Gay Characters and Complications

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:04:00 +0000

Universal Forces by Monica Shaughnessy

Cassie, the daughter of an astronomer, falls for Jake, a boy brainwashed by religious zealots. Their relationship is further complicated by the fact that Cassie's best friend, Daniel, is gay, and Cassie is terrified to admit it to Jake. If she does, she might lose him. If she doesn't, she might lose Daniel.

Far from a bland "gay sidekick," Daniel's sexual orientation provides the impetus for several story turns and complications, and he lives out a very rich subplot of his own, including mustering the courage to take a date to prom and dealing with a questioning football player who's desperate to maintain a heterosexual facade.

This book was published by the author. Add your review of "Universal Forces" in comments!

Cardcaptor Sakura - A Lady Hero Manga with Lots of Rainbow Love

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:03:00 +0000

Cardcaptor Sakura by CLAMP

One of manga’s most enduring classics, Cardcaptor Sakura follows fourth-grader Sakura Kinomoto as she seeks to pacify the monsters accidentally unleashed when she opens the spell book of the legendary magician, Clow Reed. Along her journey to protect the people of Tokyo, she is aided by friends, family, and rivals, all of whom stir up the drama with their crushes and secret agendas. Fantasy action and emotional revelations grip Sakura as she unravels the mysteries that surround her.

This manga is unforgettable. The reader can’t help but fall in love with Sakura, the optimistic hero, Tomoyo, her loyal best friend, and Toya, her tough-but-always-there-for-her big brother. Yet the world of Cardcaptor Sakura is not all cherry blossoms and sunshine. Running throughout the story is an undercurrent of grief as the characters cope with the past death of Sakura’s mother. The story reveals how one person’s life touches many others as the Kinomoto family and their friends find healing each day through love for one another.

This manga consistently challenges gender stereotypes by depicting a young woman who discovers her own power and stands as a hero to save the world. While Sakura herself may never develop feelings for another girl, same-gender crushes and romances spring up at every plot twist. Over time, everyone falls in love with somebody else. We’re all used to love triangles, but by the third volume, this story is a veritable love hexagon! Not only is the complex dance of attractions riveting to the reader, but it also affirms the truth that tender affection can grow between any two people. Love isn’t about finding a set of body parts that compliments yours. It’s about finding that one human being you connect with, body, heart, and soul, and protecting that person from pain and defeat, and sharing a mission worthy of everything the two of you have to give. Ultimately, Cardcaptor Sakura calls us to find the strength in ourselves to stand up for justice and embrace love with courage.

This manga has recently been released in four thick omnibus books. It's the second title I’ve reviewed by the team of four fabulous women authors who call themselves CLAMP.

This series is known for being compelling to readers of all ages. I was lucky to discover it for the first time in college, which was a very dark time in my life. Sakura’s innocence reinvigorated my child-like spirit, and Toya’s absolute-hotness convinced me that yes, I was in fact gay, and how could I not be when men like Toya Kinomoto existed?! I wish I had met these characters when I was just starting to read. They could have helped me replace angsty self-rejection with a hopeful love for life!

Review by Aaron Walsh. Add your review of "Cardcaptor Sakura" - individual issues or the series - in comments!

Debris Dreams - A Lesbian Teen Sci Fi Adventure (With A Main Character Who's A Person Of Color!)

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:02:00 +0000

Debris Dreams by David Colby

2068
1.5 million kilometers above the surface of the Earth

Drusilla Xao has only seen a tree in movies and vid-games. She has never breathed air that wasn’t recycled, re-filtered, and re-used a hundred times over again. She has never set foot on the Earth.

And now she never will.

When a terrorist attack by a radical separatist group on Luna destroys the space elevator that had called so many – including her parents – to live permanently in space, Dru is cut off from any hope of ever reaching Earth and her beloved girlfriend, Sarah. The Chinese-American Alliance declares immediate war on the rebels and conscripts everyone they can get their hands on…including Dru.

Cast adrift, forced to become a soldier, trapped in a nightmare of vacuum and loneliness, Dru’s training will help her survive, but only Sarah will be able to bring her home.

You can check out the book's website here that shows Twitter feeds for two of the main characters, plus some of the news organizations that cover the war in space that the novel revolves around.

Add your review of "Debris Dreams" in comments!

A New Book Shelf: Stereotype Smashers! Nerds & Jocks in "Game Changer" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:00:00 +0000

I'm excited to launch this new bookshelf today, with a guest review by my friend and blogging elementary school librarian Yapha Mason

Game Changer by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Grades 5-9

KT is an average student, but an amazing softball player. Although she is only in eighth grade, she is already working towards a softball scholarship in order to go to college. During a freak accident in a championship game, she blacks out. When she wakes up, it is to a world turned upside down. In this new world, sports take place during the school day — these are the regular classes. After school sports are now “Acs,” or academic competition. The mathletes are now the school heroes, and the former jocks get straight A’s but are regarded as the teachers’ pets and “nerds.” KT has the hardest time making sense of this world, where all of her softball trophies are replaced by her brother’s math trophies. Her parents are embarrassed by her need to exercise and beg her not to jog to school. They even want her to drop her nickname. KT slowly puts the pieces together, figuring out how this world works. Next, though, comes the challenge of trying to return to her own world. Another winning fantasy story from Margaret Peterson Haddix.

Check out Yapha's bookapalooza blog, and add your review of "Game Changer" in comments!

Today, Silence Speaks Louder Than Words

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:05:00 +0000

http://www.dayofsilence.org/

Flying Through Yellow - A Gay Dancer's Memoir and Advice On Being An Artist

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:04:00 +0000

Flying Through Yellow by Michael Apuzzo

Stop at red. Go at green. But what are you supposed to do at the yellow lights? On life's road, you can't afford to slow down, especially as a young, aspiring artist.

Michael is a dancer with the Paul Taylor Dance Company, and his life story shows that no matter what type of yellow light appears in your life (being bullied, questioning your sexuality, learning to dance for the first time, auditioning...) you have to fly through it.

Add your review of "Flying Through Yellow" in comments!

Silver Diamond - A Fantasy-Action Manga With A Gay Romance

noreply@blogger.com (Lee Wind, M.Ed.) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:03:00 +0000

Silver Diamond by Shiho Sugiura

Silver Diamond is the modern-day fairytale of Rakan Sawa, a boy who mysteriously arrives in our world as a baby with his mother. Now a teenager and an orphan, Rakan hopes to lead a simple, gentle life with compassion and kindness. Adorable and happy but a little lonely, he lives alone, cooks, cleans house, and cares for the plants his mother loved. His world changes when rugged and mysterious Chigusa Senroh arrives from whatever place Rakan truly comes from. Chigusa is a freedom fighter and instantly recognizes in Rakan a potential ally in his struggle for justice. At first, Rakan is resistant to admit the magical, distinctly-non-normal implications of Chigusa’s existence, but over time, Chigusa’s kind soul, offers of protection, and unspoken need for companionship call Rakan to a shared sense of mission and, possibly, love. Secrets unravel around the origins of these two men as they face their destinies side by side and strive to save two worlds from destruction.

This manga is at once a powerful love story and a thrilling fantasy adventure. Its elements of magic and inter-realm politics are revealed through deep and suspenseful storytelling. Rakan’s struggles might be especially compelling to anyone who has had their “normal” life shaken by feelings for someone the world told them they weren’t supposed to love. His journey to understand and accept his true identity and calling is an inspiration to us all.

Admittedly, the portrayal of the romance between Rakan and Chigusa is sometimes inconsistent. Between moments of intimate connection are humorous scenes where Chigusa overtly pursues Rakan and is called a “pervert” for doing so. This inconsistency may indicate to some a negative attitude toward homosexuality, but I think it’s just an archetype in romance manga for the pursuer to be pushed away due to the embarrassment of the pursued. It is clear to me that the attraction between these boys is mutual. They are dedicated to each other and consistently treat each other with tenderness. My on-going hope as a reader is that the two will embrace their destinies and become a couple.

The series is composed of twenty-six volumes.

There are some swear words and violent scenes, innuendo, and Chigusa takes his shirt off every once in a while (swoon!), but there’s nothing too scandalous. I would have felt very happy reading this manga when I was thirteen-years-old.

Review by Aaron Walsh. Add your review of any or all of the "Silver Diamond" manga series here in comments!