”The Side Door” A Gay Teen Novel

Author Jan Donley talks about her must-read debut novel The Side Door, which addresses LGBTQ teens and the high school coming out experience with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. The Side Door is a sensitive portrayal of gay teen suicide and sends an empowering and positive message to LGBTQ youth and allies. LGBTQ teens are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. Over the past year numerous teens have taken their own lives after facing bullying incidents. When asked what advise she would have for these kids, Donley stated, “The advise that I have and I didn't have this when I was that age, is find an adult that knows you and believes in you and likes you, loves you, just the way you are, and keeps affirming that in you. And keep that adult presence in as many ways possible. It seems to me that the message is pretty clear that kids who have at least one adult who really supports them and stands by them fare a lot better. So I would urge them to seek people out even if it means going to organizations that deal with LGBTQ stuff and actually talking to people, to not to be isolated, to figure out a way to feel like you’re not alone, because you’re not, but sometimes it’s hard not to believe that. And find someone to be in your corner.” Jan Donley is also a playwright and occasional poet. Donley is currently working on a sequel to The Side Door and teaches writing courses at Berklee College of Music. She lives in Boston where she is legally married to her partner Diane. The Side Door was nominated for a Lambda Literary Award in the LGBT Children’s/Young Adult category and the book is published by Spinsters Ink. For More Info: JanDonley.com

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