Article: Dear Readers, When it was...
Dear Readers,
When it was suggested to me that I write a lesbian love story, I thought it was a crazy idea. I'd be coming out of the closet all over again — this time on a global scale. I'd be putting both myself and my partner at risk. I'd get hate mail. Besides, who would read this book?
The last question was answered in volumes. When Keeping You a Secret was first published, my e-mail box began to fill with hundreds and hundreds of letters. Young readers wrote to tell me how much they loved the book and how closely it paralleled their lives. They shared their own coming-out stories, their fears, uncertainties, trials, and triumphs. Like Holland and Cece in the book, more than anything young people wanted love, to have their love validated and recognized as real.
There were readers who seemed happy and well-adjusted. But I also heard from too many young people who were in such despair about being gay that they'd tried to hurt themselves. These letters did, and still do, make me cry. I received mail from straight kids who identified with the ostracism and harassment issues in the book. Older readers wrote and thanked me for the book and expressed their regret at not having this kind of literature available to them when they were growing up.
Clearly, there is an eager, hungry audience yearning for contemporary literature that depicts their lives, exposes the myths, reveals the truth, and illuminates the contributions of LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning) people to home, family, and society.
There was no hate mail. A few disparaging comments that momentarily shook my faith. But then a letter would arrive from a young reader — twelve or fourteen or sixteen — who'd say, "I love this book so much. You don't know what you've done for me."
Readers, from my heart to yours: May you find the happiness you seek, the peace and joy and comfort of community. May you be safe and secure and strong. Be proud of who you are. Be visible so you can see each other, find each other, show the world our humanity. Be true to yourself and those you love. Use the words and actions against you to strengthen your will. Teach acceptance and celebration of difference and diversity. Keep your sense of humor. Recognize your place in history and continue to work for positive, peaceful social change.
Your letters remind me that I need to take my own advice. Many thanks to you, readers and writers, for your kindness, trust and encouragement.
There is no sequel planned for Keeping You a Secret. But I do intend to write many more books for and about us, books I hope will resonate and rejoice in our lives.
Love,
Julie
Copyright © by Julie Anne Peters