Author's YA book partly inspired by experience as sex educator in schools
Tamil British author Gayathiri Kamalakanthan and Nigerian American artist Chi Nwosu have joined forces to create Bad Queer, an intricately illustrated verse novel about a queer person coming of age.
Surya, the protagonist of Gayathiri Kamalakanthan's young adult novel "Bad Queer," is a coming-out story that draws inspiration from the author's own experiences as a sex educator in schools. Surya, who is queer and non-binary, grapples with accepting their identity, coming out to their family and friends, and navigating their first romantic relationship.
The novel's illustrations by Chicago artist Chi Nwosu visually represent Surya's internal emotions and journey of self-acceptance. Kamalakanthan, a theatre veteran and sex educator, hopes "Bad Queer" will provide a relatable and empowering narrative for young people exploring their gender identity and sexual orientation.
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