I really enjoyed this zine-to-book creation filled with illustrations reminiscent of Amelia's Notebooks. I appreciate that Eleanor shared her (multiple) coming out stories, especially to readers who may have expectations of it being a grand, single-instance event. Oftentimes it's not, as Crewes' depicts throughout her story. It's worth noting that the author has supportive parents and friends in the book, but still struggled with their sexual identity for years. Sometimes we don't know how to own these things about ourselves until our hearts and minds are ready--even when it feels like everyone else knows, especially when growing up in heteronormative environments.Publisher description:
Ellie always had questions about who she was and how she fit in. As a girl, she wore black, obsessed over Willow in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and found dating boys much more confusing than many of her friends did. As she grew older, so did her fears and a deep sense of un-belonging. From her first communion to her first girlfriend via a swathe of self-denial, awkward encounters, and everyday courage, Ellie tells her story through gorgeous illustrations--a fresh and funny self-portrait of a young woman becoming herself. The Times I Knew I Was Gay reminds us that people sometimes come out not just once but again and again; that identity is not necessarily about falling in love with others, but about coming to terms with oneself. Full of vitality and humor, it will ring true for anyone who has taken the time to discover who they truly are.