Rainbow Boys [Paperback]

Jason Carrillois a jock with a steady girlfriend, but he can't stop dreaming about sex...with other guys.
Kyle Meeksdoesn'tlookgay, but he is. And he hopes he never has to tell anyone -- especially his parents.
Nelson Glassmanis out to the entire world, but he can't tell the boy he loves that he wants to be more than just friends.
Three teenage boys, coming of age and out of the closet. In a revealing debut novel that percolates with passion and wit, Alex Sanchez follows these very different high-school seniors as their struggles with sexuality and intolerance draw them into a triangle of love, betrayal, and ultimately, friendship.Reading Group Guide to

Rainbow Boys
By Alex Sanchez

About the Book

Three high school seniors—Jason, an athlete who things he might be gay; Kyle, who’s in the closet to his family and classmates; and Nelson, out and proud—struggle with the issues of friendship, homophobia, and sexual identity in this important debut novel by author Alex Sanchez.

Discussion Topics

1. On his way to the Rainbow Youth meeting, Jason refers to Nelson as the “school fag.” [pg.2] Why? According to Jason, what defines Nelson as homosexual? At the meeting he discovers “a pretty diverse-looking group.” What does “gay” look like to Jason? How does Jason stereotype gays and lesbians? How do these stereotypes impact how Jason feels about himself? How does hiding one’s identity affect self-esteem?

2. “Coming out means you’re no longer ashamed to tell people,” Shea explains. “It’s a question of liking yourself and feeling good about being gay.” For many reasons, however, people choose not to come out. Why do Jason and Kyle choose—to different degrees—to remain “in the closet” about their sexuality?

3. What hel/