Release

Some cultural insight into small-town life in the Pacific Northwest. May inspire empathy for the difficulties that gay teens growing up in conservative families face.

Adam chafes under his parents' super-strict rules, even though they don't apply them fairly to both him and his brother. But he tolerates the situation while he looks forward to being able to go away to college. He works hard to help the family financially. He doesn't think he deserves love or affection, so he has trouble with romantic relationships. Best friend Angela is loyal and supportive, and has liberal parents who also provide a safe haven for Adam. His parents are extremely strict and in denial about Adam's homosexuality, unable to come to terms with who he really is and what his character strengths are.

Never gratuitous or explicit, sex with a couple of different same-sex and one opposite-sex sets of partners is described, mentioning some specifics like body positions, penetration, ejaculation, and erections. A penis is compared to a mushroom. Mention that sex the first time is painful. A past painful experience remembered. Kissing, caressing, "hand jobs," attractive butts, and comparing sex with different partners. Access to condoms means no STDs and no unwanted pregnancy. A college girl in an unmarried couple gets pregnant; the couple says abortion is not an option and decides to get married. Teens talk about virginity, the first time, and whether there are degrees of losing virginity. Some talk about gender fluidity and wanting to kiss both boys and girls. Brief sexual innuendo. A mom talks to 10-year-olds about the night her brother probably got his wife pregnant with their cousin.

A Care Bear, Denny's.