Coming Out Themes – Page 7 – Trigger Warning Database

The Pants Project by Cat Clarke

The Pants Project by Cat Clarke

Whoever wrote the uniform policy decided (whyyy?) that girls had to wear skirts, while boys were allowed to wear pants. Sexist. Unfair. “Girls must wear a black, pleated, knee-length skirt.” I bet I read those words a hundred times during summer vacation. The problem wasn’t the last word in that sentence. Skirt wasn’t really the issue, not for me. The issue was the first word. Girls. Here’s the thing: I may seem like a girl, but on the inside, I’m a boy.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Queermisia
Misgendering
Coming out themes
Sexism
Internalised ableism
Attempted sexual assault recounted
Death of a father
Death of a grandfather
Physical assault discussed
Bullying (theme)

About That Kiss by Harper Bliss

Ida Burton used to be Hollywood’s sweetheart until the best roles started drying up in her forties. When Ida lands one of the leads in a big-budget lesbian rom-com, it’s not only a chance at reviving her dwindling career. Maybe this movie can be an opportunity to finally burst out of the closet she’s forced herself into. Faye Fleming has been at the top of her acting game and collecting awards for the past few years. When she’s cast in a huge blockbuster opposite the legendary Ida Burton, she’s over the moon. Ida and Faye hit it off. The chemistry on set is through the roof… until their characters’ first kiss.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

Internalised lesbophobia
Coming out (theme)

The Romance Recipe by Ruby Barrett

The Romance Recipe by Ruby Barrett

Amy will do anything to revive her ailing restaurant, including hiring a former reality-show finalist with good connections and a lot to prove. But her hopes that Sophie’s skills and celebrity status would bring her restaurant back from the brink of failure are beginning to wane.

Sophie just wants to cook. She doesn’t want to constantly post on social media for her dead-in-the-water reality TV career, she doesn’t want… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Bimisia
Coming out
Parental abandonment
Alcohol consumption
Grief & loss depiction
Death of a mother from cancer, off-page

Here’s to Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Here’s to Us by Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera

Ben has spent his first year of college working on his fantasy manuscript with his writing partner Mario, who is a great Spanish tutor, and an even better kisser. So why can’t he stop thinking about the fact that Arthur’s back in town two years after they called it quits? Arthur is in New York for a dream internship on Broadway, with a boyfriend back at home that he couldn’t be happier with. But when he comes upon Ben cuddled with a mystery boy, he starts to wonder if his feelings for Ben ever truly went away. Even as the boys try to focus on their futures, they can’t seem to help run… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

Homophobia & outing
Sexual harassment
Cheating recounted
Alcohol consumption

Year on Fire by Julie Buxbaum

Year on Fire by Julie Buxbaum

What secrets will people keep—or reveal—to protect those they love? This novel, set against the frightening backdrop of an encroaching fire season, sparks reflection about friendship, the allure of romantic love, and loyalty to family. Can a single kiss change everything?

It was a year on fire. They fell in love. Someone was bound to get burned… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Homomisia
Child abuse & neglect
Coming out themes
Self-harm mentioned
Alcohol consumption
Arson

Lie With Me by Philippe Besson

Lie With Me by Philippe Besson

Just outside a hotel in Bordeaux, Philippe chances upon a young man who bears a striking resemblance to his first love. What follows is a look back at the relationship he’s never forgotten, a hidden affair with a gorgeous boy named Thomas during their last year of high school. Without ever acknowledging they know each other in the halls, they steal time to meet in secret, carrying on a passionate, world-altering affair.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Ableism
Homomisia
Sexism
Sexual harassment
Divorce
Coming out themes
Anxiety attack
Suicide & attempted suicide
Miscarriage
AIDS
Car accident

Merry Cherry Christmas by Keira Andrews

Merry Cherry Christmas by Keira Andrews

Redheaded freshman Jeremy “Cherry” Rourke is certainly living up to his childhood nickname, although still being inexperienced is the least of his concerns. After coming out, his parents barely talk to him. He hasn’t made any friends at university. Worst of all, he’s about to spend Christmas completely alone in an empty dorm.

Jeremy clearly needs a fairy godfather, so football captain Max Pimenta takes him under his wing to help him find his dating groove. But Jeremy’s wound way too tight. He’s too vulnerable. Max can’t trust some… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Coming out themes
Death of a parent mentioned

The Sidekicks by Will Kostakis

The Sidekicks by Will Kostakis

The Swimmer. The Rebel. The Nerd. All Ryan, Harley and Miles had in common was Isaac. They lived different lives, had different interests and kept different secrets. But they shared the same best friend. They were sidekicks. And now that Isaac’s gone, what does that make them?

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Coming out themes
Grief & loss depiction
Death of a friend, off-page (theme)

The Sword in the Street by CM Caplan

The Sword in the Street by C.M. Caplan

Hired blades ought to be better at making ends meet. John Chronicle bleeds his patron’s foes in savage duels. While he’s disgusted by the petty grievances and corporate laws he champions, even the promise of security is better than nothing at all. But how long can he depend on a wage that barely pays enough to cover his rent?

His boyfriend Edwin is familiar with dependency. Reliant on his parents’ goodwill to supply the drugs that keep the spirals of his mind in check, he wants nothing more than to get out from under their thumb. A solution comes when he finds a document full of knowledge that was, impossibly, forgotten. But while he could use those secrets to rewrite the gentry’s unjust laws, it might cost him his relationship – or John’s life… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Ableism
Rape recounted
Child abuse
Self-Harm
Substance addiction & withdrawal
Drug use

Other Boys by Damian Alexander

Other Boys by Damian Alexander

Damian is the new kid at school, and he has a foolproof plan to avoid the bullying that’s plagued him his whole childhood: he’s going to stop talking. Starting on the first day seventh grade, he won’t utter a word. If he keeps his mouth shut, the bullies will have nothing to tease him about—right?

But Damian’s vow of silence doesn’t work—his classmates can tell there’s something different about him. His family doesn’t look like the kind on TV: his mother is dead, his father is gone, and he’s being raised by his grandparents in a low-income household. And Damian does things that boys don’t usually do, like play with Barbies instead of GI Joe. Kids have teased him about this his whole life, especially other boys. But if boys can be so cruel, why does Damian have a crush on one?

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Coming out
Grief & loss depiction
Death of a mother
Bullying