Between Ocean Vuong, Adam Silvera, Heartstopper, and the wonderfully predictable backfiring effect of book bans, gay adolescence has never been more in vogue. Yet none of that visibility seems to be benefitting, or even targeted towards gay adolescents. We’re as sad, confused, and lonely as ever, perhaps even more than in the recent past. When it comes to current gay lit it feels like I have to choose between cringey romance peppered with social issue innuendo and depressing biographies of destructive gay men. Historic gay lit and its themes generally also feel far too distant to be emotionally meaningful. There are of course many many exceptions to both statements. Which books would be relevant for today’s context, and serve the needs of gay teens?