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Coming Out Catholic
Like all good Catholic boys I care what Jesus thinks. Jesus -- both the man and the faith. Following him makes me happy. There’s just one issue… I think I’m gay. Well, it’s hard to be sure while going to an all-boys school. It could be a matter of simply liking what I know, and really, oh so very much liking what I see all day -- guys. Being gay and Catholic can’t possible work together. Can it?
Coming Out Catholic follows a year in the life of a private Catholic school student as he comes to terms with his sexuality. Armed with sarcasm and his best friend Mark, he prepares to take on the school thug and the awkward social encounters plaguing his late teenage years.
Confronting himself and his family are just the beginning of his trials. He finds he must find solace with his sexual desires without surrendering any of his faith. He loves both too much to deny either one, but when the time comes he will have to decide if he must turn away from one and prepare to succumb to a life of denial, or if, by some miracle, he can find acceptance for both within himself.
Coming Out Catholic follows a year in the life of a private Catholic school student as he comes to terms with his sexuality. Armed with sarcasm and his best friend Mark, he prepares to take on the school thug and the awkward social encounters plaguing his late teenage years.
Confronting himself and his family are just the beginning of his trials. He finds he must find solace with his sexual desires without surrendering any of his faith. He loves both too much to deny either one, but when the time comes he will have to decide if he must turn away from one and prepare to succumb to a life of denial, or if, by some miracle, he can find acceptance for both within himself.
145 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 27, 2015
59 people want to read
About the author
Alex Dunkin
6 books4 followersAlex is an Adelaide-based author, researcher and reviewer. He has a PhD in language, linguistics and literature from the University of South Australia focusing on Italian literature and initiating the movement of cannibale literature into a new cultural space. He has previously worked as a journalist for LGBT publications including Blaze magazine and Gay News Network and writes in a volunteer capacity as an arts critic for Glam Adelaide. He is a published author of fiction novels, creative short stories and poetry.
Alex's first novel, Coming Out Catholic, was published with Prizm Books in 2015. He has since released the novels Homebody and Fair Day.
Alex's first novel, Coming Out Catholic, was published with Prizm Books in 2015. He has since released the novels Homebody and Fair Day.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 1, 2025
this should be mandatory reading in aussie high schools 👏🏼
March 24, 2024
The essay in the epilogue in itself was a great addition to this book
March 19, 2016
Title: Coming Out Catholic
Author: Alex Dunkin
Publisher: Prizm Press Publishers
ISBN: 978-1-61040-920-9
Buy Link: http://www.prizmbooks.com/zencart/ind...
Reviewer: Teresa - Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Like all good Catholic boys I care what Jesus thinks. Jesus -- both the man and the faith. Following him makes me happy. There’s just one issue… I think I’m gay. Well, it’s hard to be sure while going to an all-boys school. It could be a matter of simply liking what I know, and really, oh so very much liking what I see all day -- guys. Being gay and Catholic can’t possibly work together. Can it?
Coming Out Catholic follows a year in the life of a private Catholic school student as he comes to terms with his sexuality. Armed with sarcasm and his best friend Mark, he prepares to take on the school thug and the awkward social encounters plaguing his late teenage years.
Confronting himself and his family are just the beginning of his trials. He finds he must find solace with his sexual desires without surrendering any of his faith. He loves both too much to deny either one, but when the time comes he will have to decide if he must turn away from one and prepare to succumb to a life of denial, or if, by some miracle, he can find acceptance for both within himself.
Summary:
As this story began, one young man struggles with being Catholic and accepting how that was impacted with him being gay. It was sad how Father Peter spent all his time telling the students that all gay people were going to hell making his life that much more difficult. From worrying that his family would never accept him, bring gay in a all male catholic school, to being bashed by Chris the school bully, life was difficult until help comes from an unexpected source. Father Donovan's unique look at the church and the bible opens up a new perspective for him as he began to see that he could find a way to relate his sexuality with his religion if he looked at it from a different angle. With the support of his family and best friend Mark he walks through the minefield of school and non acceptance form individuals around him. It was inspiring how the author intertwined the Catholic belief in God's grace and love with this story possibly giving hope to some people dealing with their own inner struggles.
Author: Alex Dunkin
Publisher: Prizm Press Publishers
ISBN: 978-1-61040-920-9
Buy Link: http://www.prizmbooks.com/zencart/ind...
Reviewer: Teresa - Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Like all good Catholic boys I care what Jesus thinks. Jesus -- both the man and the faith. Following him makes me happy. There’s just one issue… I think I’m gay. Well, it’s hard to be sure while going to an all-boys school. It could be a matter of simply liking what I know, and really, oh so very much liking what I see all day -- guys. Being gay and Catholic can’t possibly work together. Can it?
Coming Out Catholic follows a year in the life of a private Catholic school student as he comes to terms with his sexuality. Armed with sarcasm and his best friend Mark, he prepares to take on the school thug and the awkward social encounters plaguing his late teenage years.
Confronting himself and his family are just the beginning of his trials. He finds he must find solace with his sexual desires without surrendering any of his faith. He loves both too much to deny either one, but when the time comes he will have to decide if he must turn away from one and prepare to succumb to a life of denial, or if, by some miracle, he can find acceptance for both within himself.
Summary:
As this story began, one young man struggles with being Catholic and accepting how that was impacted with him being gay. It was sad how Father Peter spent all his time telling the students that all gay people were going to hell making his life that much more difficult. From worrying that his family would never accept him, bring gay in a all male catholic school, to being bashed by Chris the school bully, life was difficult until help comes from an unexpected source. Father Donovan's unique look at the church and the bible opens up a new perspective for him as he began to see that he could find a way to relate his sexuality with his religion if he looked at it from a different angle. With the support of his family and best friend Mark he walks through the minefield of school and non acceptance form individuals around him. It was inspiring how the author intertwined the Catholic belief in God's grace and love with this story possibly giving hope to some people dealing with their own inner struggles.
July 13, 2016
Where to start? This is an incredibly thoughtful and insightful story. What a fantastic read. This hit every high point to make a perfect adolescent journey of self-discovery. There are so many complexities it would be hard to detail them all. Readers should, first and foremost, check their assumptions at the door before beginning. Every part of this is carefully worked to maximize the impact, and there are multiple layers. As a Christian member of the LGBTQ+ community myself, I loved the way the story unfolded.
The main character (who is never given a name, lending itself well to the “every boy” feel) is the right combination of largely likable, sometimes irritating, and now and again downright exasperating. He’s so easy to root for as he works through his challenges.
I loved the cast of supporting characters. It was fantastic how in a story set at an all-boys school and featuring a gay main character, even the girls/women were well-rounded. None fell into the too-common tropes. And I absolutely loved Mark, who is the ideal best friend. I really want to read more about him, as I think his own coming to terms with himself and his sexuality would make a much-needed read.
If nothing else, this was worth it for the huge surprise at the end, which I won’t spoil. I was utterly delighted! The payoff, and the lessons learned, were worth the wait.
Everything about this was wonderful. From nail-biting moments at each new coming out to cringing over various dating misadventures to holding my sides while I laughed myself silly, this was quite a ride. Every teen—regardless of orientation—should read this book. Even as an adult, I want everyone I know to read it so I can form a book club and talk about the points raised. Simply marvelous.
The main character (who is never given a name, lending itself well to the “every boy” feel) is the right combination of largely likable, sometimes irritating, and now and again downright exasperating. He’s so easy to root for as he works through his challenges.
I loved the cast of supporting characters. It was fantastic how in a story set at an all-boys school and featuring a gay main character, even the girls/women were well-rounded. None fell into the too-common tropes. And I absolutely loved Mark, who is the ideal best friend. I really want to read more about him, as I think his own coming to terms with himself and his sexuality would make a much-needed read.
If nothing else, this was worth it for the huge surprise at the end, which I won’t spoil. I was utterly delighted! The payoff, and the lessons learned, were worth the wait.
Everything about this was wonderful. From nail-biting moments at each new coming out to cringing over various dating misadventures to holding my sides while I laughed myself silly, this was quite a ride. Every teen—regardless of orientation—should read this book. Even as an adult, I want everyone I know to read it so I can form a book club and talk about the points raised. Simply marvelous.
August 27, 2015
**I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads**
What a fantastic read. This hit every high point to make a perfect adolescent journey of self-discovery.
The main character (who is never given a name, lending itself well to the "every boy" feel) is the right combination of largely likable, sometimes irritating, and now and again downright exasperating. He's so easy to root for as he works through his challenges.
I loved the cast of supporting characters. It was fantastic how in a story set at an all-boys school and featuring a gay main character, even the girls/women were well-rounded. None fell into the too-common tropes. And I absolutely loved Mark, who is the ideal best friend. I really want to read more about him, as I think his own coming to terms with himself and his sexuality would make a much-needed read.
If nothing else, this was worth it for the huge surprise at the end, which I won't spoil. I was utterly delighted! The payoff, and the lessons learned, were worth the wait.
Everything about this was wonderful. From nail-biting moments at each new coming out to cringing over various dating misadventures to holding my sides while I laughed myself silly, this was quite a ride. Every teen—regardless of orientation—should read this book. Simply marvelous.
~Amy
What a fantastic read. This hit every high point to make a perfect adolescent journey of self-discovery.
The main character (who is never given a name, lending itself well to the "every boy" feel) is the right combination of largely likable, sometimes irritating, and now and again downright exasperating. He's so easy to root for as he works through his challenges.
I loved the cast of supporting characters. It was fantastic how in a story set at an all-boys school and featuring a gay main character, even the girls/women were well-rounded. None fell into the too-common tropes. And I absolutely loved Mark, who is the ideal best friend. I really want to read more about him, as I think his own coming to terms with himself and his sexuality would make a much-needed read.
If nothing else, this was worth it for the huge surprise at the end, which I won't spoil. I was utterly delighted! The payoff, and the lessons learned, were worth the wait.
Everything about this was wonderful. From nail-biting moments at each new coming out to cringing over various dating misadventures to holding my sides while I laughed myself silly, this was quite a ride. Every teen—regardless of orientation—should read this book. Simply marvelous.
~Amy
September 3, 2015
Teaser
This is an emotional and thought-provoking must-read book for any Catholic teen who may be struggling to reconcile their faith and sexuality.
With Coming Out Catholic, Dunkin weaves a story so profound that you cannot help but understand the realities of struggling to be a gay Catholic teen.
With the protagonist’s every wavering thought or emotion, I could not help but think how much this story could help someone: this story could save someone’s life.
For My Full Review See:
http://blog.queercentricbooks.com/com...
OR
FB: Kimmers' Erotic Book Banter
https://www.facebook.com/KimmersEroti...
This is an emotional and thought-provoking must-read book for any Catholic teen who may be struggling to reconcile their faith and sexuality.
With Coming Out Catholic, Dunkin weaves a story so profound that you cannot help but understand the realities of struggling to be a gay Catholic teen.
With the protagonist’s every wavering thought or emotion, I could not help but think how much this story could help someone: this story could save someone’s life.
For My Full Review See:
http://blog.queercentricbooks.com/com...
OR
FB: Kimmers' Erotic Book Banter
https://www.facebook.com/KimmersEroti...
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews