Openly Straight exhibits the destruction unfavorable labels can inflict upon individuals. While readers attempting to cope with their sexual identity may find this novel enlightening as they endeavor through the process of removing themselves from the pigeonholes other’s have relegated them to. Rafe’s belief that the only way for him to succeed in this world is through the concealment of his sexuality: proving to be the weakest point of this novel. Whereas Rafe’s English teacher is truly the strongest character within Openly Straight. Rafe’s English teacher understands him, and encourages healthy self-expression through Rafe’s journal entries. The English teacher is a superb role model for adult readers, that provides an example that they should
…show more content…
The three girls have been best friends since youth, but their relationship becomes complicated during the summer before their senior year of high school. While Nina is attending a summer lesson at Stanford University, Mel and Avery work at an Irish restaurant in their home town in upstate New York. During her time at Stanford University Nina falls in love with an Oregon boy named Steve. Meanwhile, Avery and Mel attend a party, and kiss the next morning. Once the summer session has concluded Nina suspects a change between Mel and Avery, but they do not tell Nina about their newly found love for each other. By October, Steve and Nina break up, and Nina starts talking to parker. While the three girl 's are shopping Nina finds Avery and Mel kissing in the dressing room and is happy about their relationship. While at a book store a classmate sees the three girls in the LGBTQ and spreads the rumor that they are in a relationship with one another. While at school classmates treat the girls like an outcast, which threatens to destroy their friendship. Around Christmas time Avery and Mel end their relationship, because of the external stress within their school. During the valentine dance Avery tells Mel that she can only love Mel fails to feel attraction for other girls. As a birthday present for Nina, Mel tells her father that she is a
The three girls have been best friends since youth, but their relationship becomes complicated during the summer before their senior year of high school. While Nina is attending a summer lesson at Stanford University, Mel and Avery work at an Irish restaurant in their home town in upstate New York. During her time at Stanford University Nina falls in love with an Oregon boy named Steve. Meanwhile, Avery and Mel attend a party, and kiss the next morning. Once the summer session has concluded Nina suspects a change between Mel and Avery, but they do not tell Nina about their newly found love for each other. By October, Steve and Nina break up, and Nina starts talking to parker. While the three girl 's are shopping Nina finds Avery and Mel kissing in the dressing room and is happy about their relationship. While at a book store a classmate sees the three girls in the LGBTQ and spreads the rumor that they are in a relationship with one another. While at school classmates treat the girls like an outcast, which threatens to destroy their friendship. Around Christmas time Avery and Mel end their relationship, because of the external stress within their school. During the valentine dance Avery tells Mel that she can only love Mel fails to feel attraction for other girls. As a birthday present for Nina, Mel tells her father that she is a