Archives for 2015

Westminster MPs call for action on same-sex marriage

02/06/2015 By Dave McFarlane Leave a Comment

PinkNews – 1^st June 2015, 5:09 PM – Nick Duffy

The rally outside Queen’s University

MPs table cross-party motion calling for action on same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland

MPs from a number of parties in Westminster have signed an early-day motion calling on the government to take action to support same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.
Same-sex couples are allowed to marry in England, Wales and Scotland and the Republic of Ireland this week passed the measure by a landslide public vote, but it continues to be blocked in Northern Ireland by the DUP.
The Democratic Unionist Party has blocked same-sex marriage a number of times by filing a ‘petition of concern’ in the Stormont assembly.
Today, a cross-party group of MPs have filed an EDM congratulating Ireland for its move – and calling for Northern Ireland to follow suit.
The bill’s sponsors include Conservative MP Sir Peter Bottomley, Labour’s Emily Thornberry, Paul Farrelly and Conor McGinn, , and Northern Irish SDLP’s Alasdair McDonnell.
Signatories include the Scottish National Party’s Mhairi Black – who at 20 is the youngest LGB MP to ever sit in Parliament.
The motion states: “That this House congratulates the Republic of Ireland on becoming the first country in the world to endorse the call for marriage equality in a popular vote.
“[This house] believes that Ireland has fulfilled the aspirations of equality campaigners by winning majority support in virtually every parliamentary constituency and concluding the referendum process with a decisive 62 per cent result.
“[This house] notes the remarks of Taoiseach Enda Kenny that those who voted in the privacy of the ballot box made a very public statement in the spirit of generosity, compassion, inclusion, love and equal marriage; recognises the support given by LGBT Irish in Britain, many of whom got the boat or flew back to participate on the day
“[This house] further believes that the Irish vote can serve as a beacon of hope for those still facing oppression; and urges the Government to support LGBT equality around the world, most immediately in Northern Ireland, the only part of the UK and the island of Ireland where same-sex couples will still be barred from availing of their civil liberties.”
Islington South and Finsbury MP Emily Thornberry said: “I’m delighted to have tabled one of the first Early Day Motions of the new Parliament, celebrating this historic victory for equality.
“It’s a sign of remarkable progress that, just 14 years after the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize marriage for same sex couples in 2001, Ireland has now increased to 22 the number of countries where full marriage equality is the law of the land.
“But while we celebrate this result, it’s important also to remember that equality cannot be taken for granted across the world, or even within the UK.
“Northern Ireland is now the only part of the British Isles where LGBT couples lack the legal protections and the social recognition that marriage affords, so as advocates of LGBT equality we should all now redouble our efforts to make marriage a right, not a privilege that depends on where you live.”

Out From The History Books – Celebrating Our Past

01/06/2015 By Dave McFarlane Leave a Comment

The Second National Festival of LGBT History – February 2016

Following the success of the First National Festival of LGBT History in Manchester earlier this year, plans are under-way to make the next festival in February 2016 even bigger and even better. And this time it will be truly nationwide.
As well as the academic conference being held again in Manchester, an additional four ‘hubs’ are being developed to celebrate the contribution of British LGB and T people throughout history. These will be in Shrewsbury,York, London and Bristol. Each hub will be liaising with a member of the Schools OUT UK steering committee to enable their popular event to remain in keeping with the ethos of LGBT History Month. The theme for History Month 2016 will be Religion, Belief and Philosophy.
Schools OUT’s Academic Director Jeff Evans is inviting individuals and groups to put forward their ideas for popular events showcasing the histories of LGBT groups, events and individuals in their local area. The formal announcement of the full programmes of events will be this autumn.
This year’s festival included talks and exhibitions relating to queer histories in the north of England and Manchester, including: “We were born in the 1980’s: History of the Joyce Layland Centre (Manchester)”, “Anne Lister: A Life”, “Press for Change & Trans History”, and “21 years and more: BiPhoria and Bisexuality in Manchester”.
The first National Festival of LGBT History this year attracted speakers of calibre: Stuart Milk, LGBT activist and nephew of assassinated pioneer Harvey Milk, veteran campaigner Peter Tatchell, Linda Bellos and history Professor Charles Upchurch, who flew in from Florida especially for the event. The highlight of the weekend was the three-part immersive theatre production A Very Victorian Scandal, which dramatised the events of Britain’s own Stonewall event, which happened in Hulme in 1880.
The closing date for festival submissions is 30^th June 2015.
We are also delighted to announce the call for papers for the ‘What is & How to Do LGBT History: Methods, Subjects and Approaches’ academic conference and we are expecting submissions as last year from round the world.
For more information contact Jeff Evans: academics@schools-out.org.uk
To submit presentations, the online form is here:http://lgbthistorymonth.org.uk/call-for-presentations/

LGBT History Month 2016 Badge

01/06/2015 By Dave McFarlane Leave a Comment

Here it is at last – The Official LGBT History Month 2016 Badge!
Gareth Marshall (left), 1st year Design student at The University of Bedfordshire in Luton, wins our £250 prize for this simple yet dynamic piece.
All the students found the Religion, Belief and Philosophy brief quite a challenge, made even harder by our decision not to favour by inclusion, any specific religious iconography.
Gareth was inspired, he says, by the idea of ‘the leap of faith’ common in many religious beliefs, which he also felt was analogous with the idea of Coming Out.
The badges will be on sale at our stall in Trafalgar Square on 27th June.

LGBT Musical Facing East Gets Charity Staging

31/05/2015 By Dave McFarlane Leave a Comment

by Doug Mayo on 29 May 2015 in Events, LGBT, News, West End 0

Harriet Thorpe narrates Facing East in Concert at London's Lyric Theatre

New musical Facing East will be presented in concert at the Lyric Shaftesbury Avenue in a concert version in aid of Pride In London and Stonewall.
The event will be hosted by the Wicked and Ab Fab regular Harriet Thorpe, and will feature Rebecca Lock, Alasdair Harvey, Peter DiCesare and Michael Vinsen
Based on Carol Lynn Pearson’s stirring play, Facing East is a new and intimate musical by David Rigano and Mark-Eugene Garcia.
The musical follows an upstanding American Mormon couple who unexpectedly meet their gay son’s partner whilst dealing with his death. When they’re forced to face a reality long ignored, they must balance their beliefs with their emotions and make peace with this stranger in order to make peace with their loss.
Now making its UK premiere for one night only at the Lyric Theatre, this is one of the first opportunities to hear the soaring new score of this emerging musical following workshops in Dallas and Chicago and ahead of its first fully staged production in 2016. The concert will star Alasdair Harvey (We Will Rock You), Rebecca Lock (The Phantom Of The Opera), Peter DiCesare (Facing East Dallas), Michael Vinsen (The Book Of Mormon) and narrated by Harriet Thorpe (Wicked).
Announcing the concert, producer Nathan Gardner said “We’re delighted to be able to present our show in London, and with such an incredible cast and team. We believe that theatre can make a difference, and it’s an honour to be presenting Facing East in support of Pride in London, and Stonewall. We’ve always wanted it to be the show that gives back, and it’s a privilege to be able to support these two organisations that do so much for the LGBT community.”
TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR FACING EAST THROUGH BRITISHTHEATRE.COM

Strictly to have same sex couple

31/05/2015 By Dave McFarlane Leave a Comment

Craig Revel Horwoord reveals all

In an interview with OK!, Craig Revel Horwood has revealed that Strictly Come Dancing will feature a same sex couple this year or the next.

He said at the TruTV Drag Race party last night, that it wasn’t clear what gender the couple would be but assured fans that it would definitely be happening.
“It’ll be either this year or next, but most certainly it will happen. They did it already in Hungary or somewhere,” Craig said.
In 2014 the British Dance Council considered changing the rules for ballroom dancing, meaning same sex couples would not be allowed to participate in events. This however would not have affected a TV show such as Strictly Come Dancing.
Craig went on to say: “We should encourage that sort of thing absolutely, there are competitions throughout the world that have same sex couples, you just have to decide who goes backwards darling.”
GT recently reported on Mr Gay World, Stuart Hatton Jr, and strictly dancer Callum MacDonald coming together with Freed of London to support the future of same-sex dancing.
This is definitely a move in the right direction and we can’t wait!
Words Paul Greenough, @paulsgreenough

Councils Call For Marriage Equality

31/05/2015 By Dave McFarlane Leave a Comment

Published on

29/05/2015

Belfast, Newtownards and North Down Councils are calling for all couples in Northern Ireland, regardless of sexual orientation, to have the right to civil marriage.
Councillors are set to lead key debates on the equality issue in June.
The move follows the yes vote for equal marriage during the referendum in Ireland last week and is the latest action by Alliance in moving the debate forward in Northern Ireland.
Alliance Councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown said: “Ireland’s result last week has left Northern Ireland out of step on equality issues. As it stands a same sex couple can now legally marry in all other parts of the UK and Ireland and the LGBT community should also have the same rights here.
“The Alliance Party is committed to delivering a shared society for everyone, based on civil and religious liberty and equality for all – regardless of age, gender, disability, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation – and has continually led the way on LGBT issues, including adoption and tackling homophobic bullying in schools.
“Alliance supports the extension of state provided civil marriage to same sex couples, while recognising protections are needed for those faith groups that wish to continue to observe and practise marriage within their beliefs.”
(CD/MH)

All male Romeo and Juliet comes to London

31/05/2015 By Dave McFarlane Leave a Comment

Editorial: If you are on holiday in London during July or August then this production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet looks like it will be worthwhile going to see. If you do then please let us know what you thought of the production.

Chapel Lane Theatre Company brings it five-star adaptation to the capital

This summer, Chapel Lane Theatre Company is bringing its five-star, all male adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic Romeo and Juliet to London.

Shakespeare’s R&J is a modern script by American playwright Joe Calarco which centres on four schoolboys and their lives in a strict religious boarding school. One evening after classes, the students come across an old copy of Romeo and Juliet and begin to read the play to each other. As the evening progresses the boys become more and more immersed in the text and the characters, and the play becomes about the boys and their voyage of self discovery through the Bard’s famous words.
The boys explore their relationships with each other and, particularly for Student 1 (Romeo), his love for Student 2 (Juliet). These two young men, fully absorbed, begin to realise how their feelings parallel the relationship between the “star crossed lovers” in Shakespeare’s text. It is revelatory for them having been in such an oppressive environment all of their lives to see that their love is not as abnormal as they thought.
Bearing witness to this blossoming relationship is Student 3 (Mercutio) who also has feelings for Student 1. The play not only explores the relationship between Romeo and Juliet (and its relevance to the boys) but also the emotional conflict of Student 3 at seeing his schoolmates together. This is extenuated by the other role taken by Student 3 – the friar. In Shakespeare’s text the friar is supportive of Romeo and his relationship and actively helps his friend. Thus we see the internal turmoil of Student 3 exposed perfectly; on the one hand he wants Student 1 for himself, but on the other he wants to help his friend to be happy with who he is.
Student 4 (the Nurse), uneasy with the relationship but counselling Student 2’s Juliet, adopts a homophobic stance towards Student 1 and also takes on the role of Tybalt, Romeo’s sworn enemy. The violence of the conflict between Student 1 and Student 4 is an all too familiar sight in today’s world where homosexuality is still not full accepted.
Shakespeare’s R&J runs at the Tabard Theatre, London W4 from June 30th to August 8th 2015. Easy access via Turnham Green Station (District Line). Tickets £17/£15 .
Tickets are available from the Tabard Theatre Box Office.
Telephone: 0208 995 6035
Or online at: Tabard Theatre
This production is presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Limited.

Twitter: @ChapelLaneTC #RandJ2015
Facebook: Chapel Lane Theatre Company

Hundreds turn out in support of gay marriage in Northern Ireland just days after the Republic's historic referendum

31/05/2015 By Dave McFarlane Leave a Comment

Belfast Live – 20:02, 30 MAY 2015 BY LISA SMYTH

The rally outside Belfast City Hall is just the latest event calling for equal rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Northern Ireland
Up to 400 people have taken part in a rally calling for same sex marriage in Northern Ireland.
It comes after last week’s overwhelming yes vote to allow gay people to get married in the Republic of Ireland and just days before Belfast City Council debates the subject.
Speakers at the event outside Belfast City Hall included People Before Profit Alliance councillor Gerry Carroll, Green Party councillor Ross Brown, Malachi O’Hara from the Rainbow Project and the outspoken Rev Chris Hudson from All Souls Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church on Elmwood Avenue in south Belfast.
He hit out angrily at the position of churches across Ireland in relation to same sex marriage.
“They advised the Irish people to vote no as it went against their teachings and the Irish people said, ‘If you don’t mind reverend gentlemen and reverend ladies, we won’t take your advice on this one”, and they went out and showed absolute solidarity with the LGBT community by voting yes.
“This is not an issue between people of faith and the LBGT community and don’t let any fundamentalist Christians tell you that’s true.”
The event was organised by 17-year-old Padraigin Mervyn.
She explained: “I decided to organise this event because I had seen that our Irish brothers and sisters had won their referendum.

PAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty ImagesA couple watch the count at a count centre in Dublin
“I knew that there was hype up North so I discussed with my political party, People Before Profit, and decided while momentum was high I would get an event page set up on Facebook.
“The aim of this event is to begin a wave of protests in attempt to challenge our government, and raise awareness that the LGBT community will no longer sit back and be oppressed.
“No longer do we want to be regarded as second class citizens, it’s time for the people of Northern Ireland to fight back.”
Meanwhile, Amnesty International, the Rainbow Project and Irish Congress of Trade Unions are organising a march calling for same sex marriage to be implemented in Northern Ireland at Writer’s Square in Belfast at 2.30 pm on June 13.

Book Review: Hold Still by Nina LaCour

29/05/2015 By Dave McFarlane Leave a Comment

Review: Hold Still by Nina LaCour

by Vee

reviewed by Marie Hagen of MarietheLibrarian

Hold Still by Nina Lacour

Hold Still | Nina LaCour | 231 pages | Paperback | With illustrations
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic fiction
Themes: Death, friendship, loss, suicide
Goodreads rating: 3.99
Synopsis: Hold Still tells the story of Caitlin who recently lost her best friend Ingrid, to suicide. Ingrid and Caitlin shared everything together, and Caitlin is facing an unknown life without her best friend to laugh, cry and share her secrets with. One day Caitlin finds Ingrids journal under her bed, and through her journal, Caitlin gets to see another different, darker side of Ingrid. The journal becomes sort a guide to Caitlin as she deals with returning to school, forging new friendships and falling in love for the very first time, without her best friend to share it with.
My thoughts:
You may wonder why I chose to review this book for the GAY YA, and that’s because the author is not only gay, but Hold Still features a queer girl character. But I’ll talk a bit more about this later.
The reason I read this book was because I had heard so much raving about Nina LaCour’s newest book, Everything Leads to You. I was buying books for my library and the only book they had available for purchase was Hold Still. I bought it, received it, read it and here I am, an emotional mess because of this beautiful book.
First off, I want to talk about LaCour’s beautiful writing style. IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND MY HEART JUST MELTED! She writes so poetically and full of emotions and it just hits me right in the heart. Her tone is funny, sarcastic and very realistic. Her metaphors are easy to understand and relate to, and it makes me feel as though I am the one grieving the loss of my best friend to a suicide. It takes talent to write that well.
Second, the characters. Oh my god, the characters. The characters are so well-written and well-rounded. All of them come to life in my head and I really feel like I am a part of this book. Caitlin’s grief, her struggle to find new friends, her relationship with her parents, teachers and her old classmates. Caitlin’s new friends are written beautifully and they all have depth and emotion to them. Every character in this book has a purpose and they all bring something new to the story about Caitlin and Ingrid. My favorite character is, of course, the queer girl and Caitlin’s friend, Dylan. She has gone through some of the same stuff that Caitlin has been through and their friendship turns out to be one of the realest ones I have read.
Thirdly, I absolute loved, adored, and devoured this book. It left me speechless and I cried many times. I love how this book is about grief, but it is not one of those immensely sad books that you get depressed after reading. No, this book has humor, love and carrying on as important subjects. It also shows how art or doing what YOU love can help you get through even the hardest of times. Like I said earlier, the main reason I wanted to review this book for the GAY YA is because it features a very realistic f/f relationship and it also shows how completely normal a friendship between a straight and queer girl can be. I love Dylan and Caitlin’s honesty with each other, and I love how Caitlin can ask Dylan about relationship advice without it being cheesy. I also loved that Caitlin has male friends that she’s not attracted to and that she still manages to be their friend. This book just displays some simply amazing and wonderful relationships of all kinds.
Final thoughts: Read this book if you want to laugh and cry. Read this book if you want to read a book with good and strong friendships. Read this book if you want a queer girl character. Read this book if you want to read a beautifully. Just read this book. IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL.

Click me to buy me

Favorite quote:

“Instead, every muscle in her whole body seems to lose all tension, her step forward resembles a skip, and she lets out a hey that might as well say; I love you, you are so beautiful, no one in the world is as amazing as you are.”

This is how Caitlin describes Dylan when she sees her girlfriend, and I just died from the beauty of it.
My rating: 5 stars
Thank you for reading and thank you to Vee at @thegayya for allowing me to write this weird review. It is not a review per ce, but my thoughts and feelings and rambles about this stunning book.

Book Reviews for gay Teens and Young Adults

29/05/2015 By Dave McFarlane Leave a Comment

Flesh and Bone (Luminis Books, 2015)

Flesh and Bone by William Alton — (G,Q)
Goodreads Summary: “A literary novel for young adults that deals with a despairing teen uncertain about his sexual preferences who turns to drugs, alcohol, and unreliable friends for solace.
Told in a series of images and fragments, Flesh and Bone is a raw and real portrayal of a teen struggling to find love in his life. When Bill’s father leaves and he and his mother move far away to live with her parents, his whole world implodes. His grandparents are cold and distant, his mom is distant both physically and emotionally as she deals with her own struggles, and his dad is just gone. Bill explores his sexuality with multiple partners as he searches for love and compassion and turns to drugs and alcohol to dull the pain of loneliness. Flesh and Bone is a powerful tale that sheds light on the dark places of the soul.”
Amazon
May 5th (USA)
Stonewall: Breaking Out in the Fight for Gay Rights by Ann Bausum — (NON-FICTION, Q)
Goodreads Summary: “That’s the Stonewall. The Stonewall Inn. Pay attention. History walks through that door.
In 1969 being gay in the United States was a criminal offense. It meant living a closeted life or surviving on the fringes of society.

Stonewall (Viking Books for Young Readers, 2015)

People went to jail, lost jobs, and were disowned by their families for being gay. Most doctors considered homosexuality a mental illness. There were few safe havens. The Stonewall Inn, a Mafia-run, filthy, overpriced bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village, was one of them.
Police raids on gay bars happened regularly in this era. But one hot June night, when cops pounded on the door of the Stonewall, almost nothing went as planned. Tensions were high. The crowd refused to go away. Anger and frustration boiled over.
The raid became a riot.
The riot became a catalyst.
The catalyst triggered an explosive demand for gay rights.
Ann Bausum’s riveting exploration of the Stonewall Riots and the national Gay Rights movement that followed is eye-opening, unflinching, and inspiring.”
Amazon
May 7th (USA)
Witches by A.M. Burns — (G)

Witches (Harmony Ink Press, 2015)

Goodreads Summary: “Thom Woodmen, a bigfoot or Oh Mah, who lives in a human world, is bonded to Ben Steele, an average teenager. Thom has barely adjusted to his new status as a Guardian when he discovers others working against him and there’s a price on his head. Then an intruder appears in his family’s territory, and he senses strange energies coming from Ben.
While they struggle to find out who wants Thom dead, Ben is tested to confirm Thom’s suspicions—Ben has magic. Ben shows promise, but he just wants to stay the normal human within their group of friends. After more attacks, Ben begins to see how magic might help him protect Thom—if only he can learn enough before the witch who is hunting them closes in for the kill.”
Amazon
May 7th (UK)
This is Not a Love Story by Keren David — (B)

This is Not a Love Story (Atom, 2015)

Goodreads Summary: “Kitty dreams of a beautiful life, but that’s impossible in suburban London where her family is haunted by her father’s unexpected death. So when her mum suggests moving to Amsterdam to try a new life, Kitty doesn’t take much persuading. Will this be her opportunity to make her life picture perfect?
In Amsterdam she meets moody, unpredictable Ethan, and clever, troubled Theo. Two enigmatic boys, who each harbour their own secrets. In a beautiful city and far from home, Kitty finds herself falling in love for the first time.
But will love be everything she expected? And will anyone’s heart survive?”
Amazon
May 12th (USA)
Vanished by E. E. Cooper — (B)

Vanished (Katherine Tegen Books, 2015)

Goodreads Summary: “Gone Girl meets Pretty Little Liars in this fast-paced psychological thriller full of delicious twists and turns.
Friendship. Obsession. Deception. Love.
Kalah knows better than to fall for Beth Taylor . . . but that doesn’t stop her from falling hard and falling fast, heart first into a sea of complications.
Then Beth vanishes. She skips town on her eighteenth birthday, leaving behind a flurry of rumors and a string of broken hearts. Not even Beth’s best friend, Britney, knows where she went. Beth didn’t even tell Kalah good-bye.
One of the rumors links Beth to Britney’s boyfriend, and Kalah doesn’t want to believe the betrayal. But Brit clearly believes it–and before Kalah can sort out the truth, Britney is dead.
When Beth finally reaches out to Kalah in the wake of Brit’s suicide, Kalah wants to trust what Beth tells her. But she’s swiftly realizing that nothing here is as it seems. Kalah’s caught in the middle of a deadly psychological game, and only she can untangle the deceptions and lies to reveal the unthinkable truth.”
Amazon
May 14h (USA)
After I Wake by Emma Griffiths — (L)

After I Wake (Harmony Ink, 2015)

Goodreads Summary: “Award-winning teen poet Carter Rogers has made a lot of bad choices in her life, one of which led to losing her hand to frostbite. After a failed suicide attempt, Carter wakes up and takes a hard look at the person she’s become. As her disappointment over her botched effort fades, she begins to accept herself and look forward. Righting past wrongs won’t be easy, but armed with the support of her mother and her friends, and with a new perspective on life, Carter sets out to fix her relationships with the people she cares about and the world of poetry.”
Amazon
May 14h (USA)

Read Me Like a Book (Indigo, 2015)

Read Me Like a Book by Liz Kessler — (L,B)
Goodreads Summary: “Ashleigh Walker is in love. You know the feeling – that intense, heart-racing, all-consuming emotion that can only come with first love. It’s enough to stop her worrying about bad grades at college. Enough to distract her from her parents’ marriage troubles. There’s just one thing bothering her . . .
Shouldn’t it be her boyfriend, Dylan, who makes her feel this way – not Miss Murray, her English teacher?
A thought-provoking coming out story from a highly skilled author.”
Amazon
May 19th (USA)
The First Twenty by Jennifer Lavoie — (L)

The First Twenty (Bold Strokes Books, 2015)

Goodreads Summary: “Humanity was nearly wiped out when a series of global disasters struck, but pockets of survivors have managed to thrive and are starting to rebuild society. Peyton lives with others in what used to be a factory. When her adopted father is murdered by Scavengers, she is determined to bring justice to those who took him away from her. She didn’t count on meeting Nixie.
Nixie is one of the few people born with the ability to dowse for water with her body. In a world where safe water is hard to come by, she’s a valuable tool to her people. When she’s taken by Peyton, they’ll do anything to get her back. As the tension between the groups reaches critical max, Peyton is forced to make a decision: give up the girl she’s learned to love, or risk the lives of those she’s responsible for.”
Amazon
May 21th (USA)

Out of Order (Harmony Ink, 2015)

Out of Order by Casey Lawrence — (B)
Goodreads Summary: “Corinna “Corey” Nguyen’s life seems perfectly average for a closeted bisexual whiz kid with her eyes on college and a budding romance with her friend Kate. Sixteen and navigating senior year with her tight-knit group of best friends through crushes, breakups, and pregnancy scares, Corey mistakenly believes that running for valedictorian and choosing the right college are the worst of her worries. That is, until prom night, when she’s left alone and in shock, hiding inside a diner restroom, the only witness to a multiple homicide.
With graduation looming, the pressure is on for Corey to identify the killer and ensure that the crime that has changed her life forever will not go unpunished.”
Amazon
May 26th (USA)
Anything Could Happen by Will Walton — (G)
Goodreads Summary: “When you’re in love with the wrong person for the right reasons, anything could happen.

Anything Could Happen (Push, 2015)

Tretch lives in a very small town where everybody’s in everybody else’s business. Which makes it hard for him to be in love with his straight best friend. For his part, Matt is completely oblivious to the way Tretch feels – and Tretch can’t tell whether that makes it better or worse.
The problem with living a lie is that the lie can slowly become your life. For Tretch, the problem isn’t just with Matt. His family has no idea who he really is and what he’s really thinking. The girl at the local bookstore has no clue how off-base her crush on him is. And the guy at school who’s a thorn in Tretch’s side doesn’t realize how close to the truth he’s hitting.
Tretch has spent a lot of time dancing alone in his room, but now he’s got to step outside his comfort zone and into the wider world. Because like love, a true self can rarely be contained.
ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN is a poignant, hard-hitting exploration of love and friendship, a provocative debut that shows that sometimes we have to let things fall apart before we can make them whole again. ”
Amazon
May 26th (USA)

The Porcupine of Truth by Bill Konigsberg (Arthur A. Levine, 2015)

The Porcupine of Truth (Arthur A. Levine, 2015)

The Porcupine of Truth by Bill Konigsberg — (G)
Goodreads Summary: “The author of OPENLY STRAIGHT returns with an epic road trip involving family history, gay history, the girlfriend our hero can’t have, the grandfather he never knew, and the Porcupine of Truth.
Carson Smith is resigned to spending his summer in Billings, Montana, helping his mom take care of his father, a dying alcoholic he doesn’t really know. Then he meets Aisha Stinson, a beautiful girl who has run away from her difficult family, and Pastor John Logan, who’s long held a secret regarding Carson’s grandfather, who disappeared without warning or explanation thirty years before. Together, Carson and Aisha embark on an epic road trip to find the answers that might save Carson’s dad, restore his fragmented family, and discover the “Porcupine of Truth” in all of their lives.”
Amazon
May 28th (USA)
Caught in the Middle (Caught in the Act #2) by Robbie Michaels — (G)

Caught in the Middle (Harmony Ink, 2015)

Goodreds Summary: “After a rocky start to the school year, Ben and Adam are getting their feet on solid ground, despite a lot of obstacles. Amelia, Ben’s former girlfriend, isn’t willing to let Ben go so easily. At Christmas, Amelia delivers a bombshell that keeps Adam and Ben apart over the holiday. When Adam returns from seeing his family, Ben, who avoids conflict at all cost, will not talk to him.
Adam figures out Amelia’s scheme, and when he confronts her, she retaliates by arranging an ambush in the school parking lot one night.
Ben is horrified when he sees Adam lying battered in the hospital. Adam is more than physically broken. His spirit is wounded, and he sees only the negative, the struggle ahead, and Ben’s betrayal. Healing, both in body and mind, is a long arduous road.
It’s up to Ben to convince Adam that there is still good in life and that he’ll be there to help Adam every step of the way. If Adam will let him.”
Amazon