The L Word

for Lauren, a la Ms. Bette Porter

I Remember...

It was the last week of classes and both of us were huddled into our respective couches: I had the brown leather love seat, you the plush blue couch--papers and books and notecards everywhere. We were writing our theses; I can't even tell you what the argument of my paper was, or what books I listed on my bibliography.

What I remember is warmth. The light through the first floor window reflecting off the hardwood floors. Our laptops and pages of notes. Breaks for froyo, Lorilei and Rory. And never a moment where we didn't think the other could pull it off.

Apple, Broad Beans, Cabbage, Courgette

Where I'd Like to Be Most Days

Possible PhD's

Topics I Might Be Interesting (in no particular order):

• Queer Theory & Children's Literature
• American Studies: Cowgirls and Country Music
• Serial Narrative Poetry
• Contemporary Poetry, if the above doesn't exist
• Urban Theory & Children's Literature
• History of Cowgirls
• A Clue for What I Want to do with My Life
• History of Consciousness

Possible Locations (in no particular order):

• Oxford
• Sussex (Brighton)
• Greenwich
• Berkeley
• Santa Cruz?

Thoughts?

• 
  

Vintage Champagne

IBBY Conference Call for Papers

COPULATING, COMING OUT, & COMICS:

The High School Chronicles of Ariel Schrag

ABSRACT

What does it mean for a young person to read about a peer’s sexual experiences in a graphic novel? Is it OK for young people to learn about sexuality, sex toys or masturbation from a comic? And just how graphic should a graphic novel get? Written by Ariel Schrag in four autobiographic installments, The High School Chronicles of Ariel Schrag details the teenage experiences of its creator without reservation or concern for ‘what is appropriate’. Throughout, Schrag illustrates her first sexual experiences, others’ imagined sexual experiences, and masturbation; narrates her coming out process from ‘straight’ to ‘bisexual’ to ‘lesbian;’ and ruminates on her life and ‘the comic.’

As Gina de Vries asks in her essay ‘Unsuitable for Children,’ ‘How can we support children and teenagers in the discovery of their sexuality...?’ I will argue that with the rise in illustrated memoirs, comics and graphic novels are particularly appropriate for exploring questions around sexuality, sex, and relationships. With such taboos lurking down many a school hall, comics like Schrag’s are a place for young people to gain an Awkward perspective or clear Definition; an exploration of Potential; and some Likewise camaraderie through a visual and textual medium.