Rainbow Boys Anniversary Edition: Queer YA Then and Now - From Visibility to Possibility

In honor of the 25th Anniversary Edition of Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez, I was asked how I might celebrate this silver anniversary.

What better way than to chronicle Queer Rep then and NOW.

Representation has come such a long way over the years, and queer representation is right along with it in such a beautiful way. Lucky for us, not only have we gotten MORE, but the overall representation within queer lit has also expanded – identity, race, culture, gender, and the kinds of stories we are getting show more of us in those books. 

Starting with the masterpiece that we are celebrating – Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez. Celebrating 25 years, this was a groundbreaking novel, making gay teens feel seen and quite possible the most accessible YA novel of its time. Rainbow Boys navigated they early 2000’s hetero-normative society with three seniors looking for their place. Full of emotion and cultural impact, the plot centers on the coming-out experience during the pre-technology onslaught, when there was still stigma around HIV/AIDS. Sanchez offered hope and this book is now an essential piece of YA queer lit history. 

 

About the Author

ALEX SANCHEZ (he/him/his) spent almost fifteen years working with youth. He
is the author of the teen novels Boyfriends with Girlfriends, Bait, The God Box, Getting It, Rainbow Boys, Rainbow High, and Rainbow Road, as well as the Lambda Award–winning middle grade novel So Hard to Say. Lambda Literary honored Alex with a Jim Duggins, PhD Outstanding Mid-Career Novelists’ Prize. He lives in Thailand and Hollywood, Florida. Visit him at AlexSanchez.com.

Because of what Rainbow Boys and other books have done, we have so many options within this space. Here are a few:

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

 

You have seen it everywhere, these bright, colorful graphic novels. A TV show now! This story had changed the narrative by offering a more-hopeful story of love and relationship in the queer space. It has the feel of a more ordinary teenage life where gay teens are free to find friendship, romance, and be joyful and awkward.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz 

 

Books like this one are a good example of how writers have space for introspection. This one focuses on Mexican American identity, family, masculinity, and is a coming-of-age alongside sexuality.

  

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender 

 

One that I have not read yet, but it is on my list! Centers on a black, queer, transgender teen that navigates self-worth, community dynamics and some romance.

We are even graced with beautiful Middle Grade queer literature now as well.

When You’re Brave Enough by Rebecca Bendheim 

 

A coming-of-age story that explores the nuance of coming out as a lesbian in middle school. Lacey is queer, Jewish and the pressure around both. The emotion and bravery in this book were absolutely beautiful.