With a Little Help From Our Pens

Several students who took my GLBTQ YA Lit class this summer created a blog called "With a Little Help From Our Pens" in order to create a space where people can submit their stories, poems, etc. about GLBTQ issues.


http://withalittlehelpfromourpens.tumblr.com/

Collaborate – from the original Latin collaborare (col “together;” and laborare “to work, labor”): To work in conjunction with another or others, to co-operate; esp. in a literary or artistic production, or the like.

The verb “to collaborate” was our initial purpose. The four of us—all from different backgrounds and possessing different skill sets—found ourselves in a class together, studying GLBTQ young-adult fiction. From the critical perspective, the overriding focus on this genre seems to be that of examining and cataloging representation. Are the novels, stories, and narratives fair? Accurate? True? The consensus finds that GLBTQ fiction is moving in the “right” direction, but that representation, historically, has had many faults.

We thought: “We could write. We know what’s missing; what’s cliché; and what the previous authors have gotten wrong.” And so, our mission was to put together a collaborative anthology: fiction, non-fiction, criticism, and poetry. How are the roots of our assurance, however, any stronger than the authors who have gone before? Millions of people have the same thought about any given situation everyday: “I could do that.”

And we don’t want to focus on being the “same.” If we’re going to speak about difference, we must understand the meaning of difference. We realize that our stories are exactly that: ours. We could never write your story, even though that’s what we wanted; so, we invite you to write it yourself.

This space is the final product. We will christen it, so to speak, with the material that we prepared for the inceptive idea; but after that, it’s yours. We want your words, in whatever form is best for you. And we want your raw emotion, from one side of the spectrum to the other, for collaboration will not otherwise bring about fruition. While the process is “to work,” which can be joyful; it is also “to labor,” which involves struggle. There are so many different ways that you can collaborate with us. Of course, we look forward to your creative submissions, but we hope for much more. Make recommendations for the users of this community: show us websites with important information; tell us about books that moved you or spoke to you; share videos of your favorite author explaining his or her work. Give feedback to your peers; a key component of collaboration is support. Begin discussion forums so that authors know how they can better speak for and about GLBTQ young-adults.

We will update the forum every weekend, and we ask only that you whole-heartedly seek the understanding that we realized: there is no “right;” there is no “same;” difference is beautiful. Until we can teach this to the world, we’ll get by with a little help from our pens.

Guidelines & Regulations

This site is a safe space that is being monitored and moderated by the administrators and you are welcome to join us! Please take note of the following guidelines and regulations for a safe and productive experience at With a Little Help from Our Pens:

POST SAFELY:
--Never post or share your personal information online (this includes your full name, address, telephone number, email address, phone number, school name, parents’ names, credit card number, and/or social security number, etc.) or your friends’ personal information.
--Never share your Internet passwords with anyone, except your parents.
--Do not post photos of others without their permission.
--Never meet anyone face-to-face whom you only know online.
--Try to have an open communication with your parents about what you do online.
--Try not to write too specifically about yourself. For example, you could write “I’m in my local marching band” rather than “I’m in the Lincoln High Marching Band.”

POST RESPECTFULLY:
--Remember: We all have different experiences, perspectives, and identities that should be mutually considered when posting and respected as you use this site.
--Listen and think before you post.
--Don’t say anything that might be offensive to someone else.
--Be considerate and courteous of others and their perspectives.

POST SMARTLY
--Be mindful of grammar, spelling and punctuation.
--Be sure you clarify any abbreviations you might use.
--Be conscious and considerate not to post any spam, any inappropriate material or content, and any copyrighted material without a source.
--Unruly or unnecessary profanity will not be tolerated.
You will be removed from this site if any posted material contains any slurs, derogatory comments, or any inappropriate content.
--Remember: You are broadcasting yourself to the world—present yourself in the best possible light.

***The blog will be screened to remove disrespectful language and/or content. We reserve the right to delete any comments for any reason at our discretion and we reserve the right to warn, suspend, and/or remove individuals or groups that do not follow the above guidelines and regulations.

Almost Perfect

Wow--that's all I can say at this point about Brian Katcher's YA novel Almost Perfect. I was anxious to read it since it received the 2011 Stonewall Award given annually to "children's and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered experience" (ALA).

It tells the story of Logan, an 18-year-old high school senior in rural Missouri. Fresh off a break up with his girlfriend of three years (Brenda), after she cheated on him (even though they had never had sex). Logan can't think of anyone else. He still waits for Brenda's bus to arrive, just hoping to catch sight of her. His friends think he needs to get over it--especially since he is heading off to college in the fall, and there will be tons of girls there.

Then, a tall, stunning stranger, Sage, arrives in hhis science class. She doesn't dress or act like anyone he knows. Soon, he finds himself attracted to her. He thinks she likes him too, but she is distant. Slowly, he learns some things about her: she was homeschooled for the past few years; she is not allowed to go out at all; she can't date.

Sage sneaks out to go to a movie with Logan and his friends and they hold hands. Later, after more time together they kiss. Then, Sage tells Logan the secret she's been hiding: she's really a boy.

Logan is furious and calls Sage names. They part, now avoiding each other. Yet, Logan can't get Sage out of his mind. And, Sage needs a friend--a friend to support her. So, they become friends.

Yet . . . the attraction between them does not disappear and after a weekend away together things will never be the same.

I won't give away the ending, but suffice it to say, this book will take you on an emotional roller coaster along with Logan and Sage. There is no happy ever after to contradict the plot line. And that's what is powerful.

We know from the news that for this country's GLBTQ teens, life is rough. Yet, there can be understanding. With understanding, things can change for the better.

**If you haven't read Luna by Julie Ann Peters, it also has a male character that wants to transition to a female.

The Stonewall honor books were: will grayson, will grayson (John Green and David Levithan), Love Drugged (James Klise), Freaks and Revelations (Davida Willis Hurwin) and The Boy in the Dress (David Williams), illustrated by Quentin Blake.

Bullied: A YA Media Text

I just finished watching the documentary Bullied, from the Southern Poverty Law Center, about the true story of Jamie Nabozny, a kid tormented in middle and high school because he is gay.

The irony of his being bullied is not lost on me as I read Anne's and Susan's posts about Speak (where a "Dr." is essentially bullying readers).

If you have not ordered this free documentary from Teaching Tolerance, do so now!

There is also a facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/BulliedMovie.

I am going to use this film tonight, instead of a short story, to talk about the levels and dimensions of setting (Smith & Wilhelm, 2010).