Displaying 1 of 1 2021 Format: Book Author: Chomiak, Stacey, author. Title: Still Stace : my gay Christian coming-of-age story / Stacey Chomiak. Publisher, Date: Minneapolis, MN : Beaming Books, 2021. Description: 269 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm Summary: "An artist's captivating and quirky illustrated coming-of-age memoir of surprising first love, coming out, and coming to embrace her queer Christian identity"-- Provided by publisher. Target Audience Note: Ages 13-18 Beaming Books Subjects: Chomiak, Stacey -- Juvenile literature. Chomiak, Stacey. Christian biography -- Manitoba -- Winnipeg -- Juvenile literature. Lesbians -- Manitoba -- Winnipeg -- Biography -- Juvenile literature. Homosexuality -- Religious aspects -- Christianity -- Juvenile literature. Christian biography -- Manitoba -- Winnipeg. Lesbians -- Manitoba -- Winnipeg -- Biography. Homosexuality -- Religious aspects -- Christianity. Genre: Bildungsromans. Notes: Kirkus Review - Adult,091521 LCCN: 2020045210 ISBN: 9781506469515 * 9781506469522 System Availability: 2 # Local items: 1 Call Number: YA 270.092 Chomiak, S Still St # Local items in: 1 # System items in: 2 Current Holds: 0 Place Request Add to My List Expand All | Collapse All Where is it? Suggestions and more Large Cover Image Trade Reviews Kirkus ReviewNavigating queer and Christian communities can be complicated. This illustrated memoir by Canadian artist Chomiak traces her life between the summer of 1996, when she was a 16-year-old attending a Christian summer camp and trying to understand confusing feelings about her friend Joanna, until the spring of 2011, when she was heading home to Winnipeg from Vancouver to marry the woman she loved. Chomiak documents the complexities of being a lesbian while growing up in a conservative religious household. The narrative is open and at times raw with the emotional distress of Chomiak's teen life, from complex relationships with her parents to her hormonal urges, the pain of early hidden relationships, and reconciling her sexuality with her deep faith. Illustrations of Chomiak and the people close to her fill the pages (all present as White), documenting her stress, anxiety, and sadness through her facial expressions and body language. At times, the sepia tones of the illustrations, possibly meant to indicate flashbacks, work against the art's emotional impact, as the muted colors read as dull and lifeless. This quibble aside, readers of all sexualities and genders will benefit from this glimpse into the life of a Christian lesbian. Other gay Christians will benefit from the resources that are included--lists of faith-oriented websites, organizations, and books designed to help others on their journeys. Insightful and inspiring. (author's note, letters to Stace's younger self, letter to readers) (Memoir. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission. Summary Is it possible to be gay and Christian? Stacey loves being a Christian. Her best friends are also her church friends. Her favorite place on earth is Bible camp every summer. And she talks to God like they are old friends. But one summer, she meets a girl who turns everything upside down. Is this feeling she has for her more than just friendship? Could it be a crush? Filled with dread, Stacey embarks on a journey to discover what it means to be gay, whether it is possible to change, and how to reconcile her identity with her faith. Will it even be possible? In this young-adult illustrated memoir, Stacey Chomiak tells the true story of her teenage and young-adult years: of heartbreak, family conflict, trying to become ex-gay, wrestling with her faith, and finding love. Uncovering happiness and joy while surrounded by the loneliness of a world that actively excludes her seems insurmountable. Until she learns to love her full self. Then the possibility of being both gay and Christian seems not just possible, but the best answer of all. Librarian's View Series Information Similar Titles Similar Series Summary Reader Reviews Displaying 1 of 1
