They were holding hands, the whole town was celebrating, but in real life, I started crying. My character was standing next to his complicated, sulky (but ultimately sweet) new husband, Shane. Like so many other (secretly) queer kids, it felt like the only way I could ever find acceptance was to leave.īut something happened to me while I was playing Stardew Valley. These worlds became a temporary home for me, while I waited for my “real life” to begin-one far away from my small, closed-minded hometown, in a city where I could finally be myself. I liked reading books too, of course, but to me there was no better form of escapism than turning on my Nintendo 64 or Playstation 2 and living in these fun, wild fantasy worlds so far outside of my own. As a kid growing up in a rural farming village, video games were my life. When I attended my own Stardew Valley wedding, a few years ago, I was struck by what should have been an obvious realization: not a single one of these fictional small town villagers cared that my character, a guy, had romanced and ultimately wed another guy.
Once you propose, a huge wedding is thrown in the town square, and all the other townspeople are in attendance. Eventually, you can choose to share your digital life with one of the many “marriable” characters. And as Jake and his friends try to find a way to bring Pride to Barton Springs, it seems suspicious that the mayor’s son, Brett, suddenly wants to spend time with Jake.You move through this new life of farming, exploring caves, and fishing, all while getting closer to your neighbors. Why can’t they hold a pride festival in Barton Springs? The problem is, Jake knows he’ll have to get approval from the town council, and the mayor won’t be on his side. A few people are even concerned the flag will lead to something truly outlandish: a pride parade.Įxcept Jake doesn’t think that’s a ridiculous idea.
When Jake’s dad hangs a comically large pride flag in their front yard in an overblown show of love, the mayor begins to receive complaints. While his family and friends are accepting and supportive, the same can’t be said about everyone in their small town of Barton Springs, Ohio. Jake is just starting to enjoy life as his school’s first openly gay kid. Perfect for fans of Rick by Alex Gino and The Best at It by Maulik Pancholy. From acclaimed author Phil Stamper (The Gravity of Us and As Far as You’ll Take Me) comes a poignant coming-of-age, contemporary middle grade debut novel about finding your place, using your voice, and the true meaning of pride.
0 kommentar(er)
