Coming Out Themes – Page 13 – Trigger Warning Database

Swimming the Distance by Annabeth Albert

Swimming the Distance by Annabeth Albert

When denial turns to deception, love may not be enough to keep Kyle and Bohdan’s relationship afloat.

Hours before leaving for the Olympics, Kyle Christopher discovers that his long-time boyfriend, an Olympic long distance swimmer, has done an interview where he denied being gay. Despite sharing a home and a dog with Kyle, three-time Olympian Bohdan Petrov isn’t ready to come out publicly. After Bohdan’s lies start stacking up, Kyle’s not sure he can keep waiting quietly in the shadows. When their estrangement takes a toll on Bohdan’s performance, both must decide where their priorities lay once and for all.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Coming out themes

Off Base by Annabeth Albert

Off Base by Annabeth Albert

After trading the barracks for a fixer-upper rental, navy SEAL Zack Nelson wants peace, not a roommate—especially not Pike, who sees things about Zack he most wants to hide. Pike’s flirting puts virgin Zack on edge. And the questions Pike’s arrival would spark from Zack’s teammates about his own sexuality? Nope. Not going there. But Zack can’t refuse.

Pike Reynolds knows there won’t be a warm welcome in his new home. What can he say? He’s an acquired taste. But he needs this chance to get his life together. Also, teasing the uptight SEAL will be hella fun. Still, Pike has to tread carefully; he’s had his fill of tourists in the past, and he can’t risk his heart on another, not even one as hot, as built—and, okay, yeah, as adorable—as Zack.

Living with Pike crumbles Zack’s restraint and fuels his curiosity. He discovers how well they fit together in bed…in the shower…in the hallway… He needs Pike more than he could have imagined, yet he doesn’t know how to be the man Pike deserves.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Homomisia
Coming out themes
Queermisic-based workplace harassment*
Child abuse, recounted
Hospitalisation
Surgery
Physical illness
Military mission, on-page
Main characters in the military
Physical illness of a pet
Bullying

*Assistance with queermisic-based workplace harassment sought by main character

First in Line by Annabeth Albert

First in Line by Annabeth Albert

Ethaniel’s first few days at college are challenging and are complicated by a sudden attraction to Nesto. Will he find the courage to be his true self?

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Coming out themes
Homomisia
Conversion therapy, mentioned
Racist language
Miscarriage, mentioned

The Truth About Keeping Secrets by Savannah Brown

The Truth About Keeping Secrets by Savannah Brown

Sydney’s dad is the only psychiatrist for miles around their small Ohio town.

He is also unexpectedly dead.

Is Sydney crazy, or is it kind of weird that her dad-a guy whose entire job revolved around other peoples’ secrets-crashed alone, with no explanation?

And why is June Copeland, homecoming queen and the town’s golden child, at his funeral?

As the two girls grow closer in the wake of the accident, it’s clear that not everyone is happy about their new friendship.

But what is picture perfect June still hiding? And does Sydney even want to know?

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Queermisia
Forced coming out
Sexual abuse, off-page
Domestic abuse, emotional and physical
Verbal abuse
Suicide
Self-harm
Bullying, central theme

Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake

Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake

When a tornado rips through town, twelve-year-old Ivy Aberdeen’s house is destroyed and her family of five is displaced. Ivy feels invisible and ignored in the aftermath of the storm–and what’s worse, her notebook filled with secret drawings of girls holding hands has gone missing.

Mysteriously, Ivy’s drawings begin to reappear in her locker with notes from someone telling her to open up about her identity. Ivy thinks–and hopes–that this someone might be her classmate, another girl for whom Ivy has begun to develop a crush. Will Ivy find the strength and courage to follow her true feelings?

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Ableism
Coming out themes
Cancer, mentioned
Physical injury
Tornado, central theme
Blackmail
Homelessness

Girl Made of Stars by Ashley Herring Blake

Girl Made of Stars by Ashley Herring Blake

“I need Owen to explain this. Because yes, I do know that Owen would never do that, but I also know Hannah would never lie about something like that.”

Mara and Owen are about as close as twins can get. So when Mara’s friend Hannah accuses Owen of rape, Mara doesn’t know what to think. Can the brother she loves really be guilty of such a violent crime? Torn between the family she loves and her own sense of right and wrong, Mara is feeling lost, and it doesn’t help that things have been strained with her ex-girlfriend and best friend since childhood, Charlie.

As Mara, Hannah, and Charlie navigate this new terrain, Mara must face a trauma from her own past and decide where Charlie fits in her future. With sensitivity and openness, this timely novel confronts the difficult questions surrounding consent, victim blaming, and sexual assault.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Coming out themes
Bimisia
Internalised enbymisia
Slut-shaming
Victim blaming, discussed
Misogyny
Racist microaggressions
Rape, central theme
Sexual assault
Paedophillia*
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Panic attacks, multiple occurrences on-page
Alcohol consumption
Minor injury, mentioned
Hospital visit, mentioned
Medical procedure including a rape kit, recounted
Physical assault
Bullying

*Main character, who is a minor, is sexually abused by her teacher

How to Be Remy Cameron by Julian Winters

How to Be Remy Cameron by Julian Winters

Everyone on campus knows Remy Cameron. He’s the out-and-gay, super-likable guy that people admire for his confidence. The only person who may not know Remy that well is Remy himself. So when he is assigned to write an essay describing himself, he goes on a journey to reconcile the labels that people have attached to him, and get to know the real Remy Cameron.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Racism
Homomisia
Coming out themes
Depression
Alcoholism & alcohol consumption
Recreational drug use mentioned
Bullying

Running With Lions by Julian Winters

Running With Lions by Julian Winters

Bloomington High School Lions’ star goalie, Sebastian Hughes, should be excited about his senior year: His teammates are amazing and he’s got a coach who doesn’t ask anyone to hide their sexuality. But when his estranged childhood best friend Emir Shah shows up to summer training camp, Sebastian realizes the team’s success may end up in the hands of the one guy who hates him. Determined to reconnect with Emir for the sake of the Lions, he sets out to regain Emir’s trust. But to Sebastian’s surprise, sweaty days on the pitch, wandering the town’s streets, and bonding on the weekends sparks more than just friendship between them.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Homomisia & homomisic slurs
Islamophobia
Coming out themes
Fat-shaming & internalised body-image issues
Alcohol consumption
Bullying

What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera

What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera

Arthur is only in New York for the summer, but if Broadway has taught him anything, it’s that the universe can deliver a show stopping romance when you least expect it. Ben thinks the universe needs to mind its business. If the universe had his back, he wouldn’t be on his way to the post office carrying a box of his ex-boyfriend’s things. But when Arthur and Ben meet-cute at the post office, what exactly does the universe have in store for them? Maybe nothing. After all, they get separated. Maybe everything. After all, they get reunited… But what if it is?

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

Homophobia & coming out themes
Racism
Cheating recounted
Alcohol consumption
Hospitalisation for a panic attack (secondary character)

Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised. With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

Coming out themes & blackmailed forced outing
Homophobia & slurs
Bullying