1. How do the various geographical locations described in the stories influence the author’s experiences and identity formation? Can you draw parallels to how place has influenced your own identity?

2. In what ways do the stories illustrate the concept of intersectionality? How do multiple aspects of the author’s identity interact and affect their experiences?

3. What coping mechanisms and forms of resilience does the author describe in navigating queerphobia, trauma, and other challenges? How do these strategies compare to those discussed in academic literature?

4. How do relationships and community play a role in the author’s journey of self-discovery and acceptance? What are the impacts of community support, or lack thereof, in the stories?

5. How does the author portray family relationships and their impact on their identity and well-being? In what ways do these family dynamics align with or differ from those in your own life or other literature you’ve read?

6. Despite the challenges faced, the author also writes about joy and love. How are these positive experiences depicted, and what significance do they hold in the overall narrative?

7. How did the stories resonate with your own experiences or challenge your preconceptions? What emotions or thoughts did they evoke, and why?

8. How do the personal narratives in the book enhance your understanding of the academic texts you’ve studied? Can you identify specific theories or research findings that are illustrated by the author’s experiences?

1. Keep a reflective journal throughout the course, documenting personal responses to the book and related academic readings. Journals should focus on how the personal narratives deepen readers’ understanding of the research and how their perspectives evolve over time. The final journal should include a summary of key insights and reflections.

2. Conduct a qualitative research project where you interview members of the LGBTQ+ community about their experiences related to identity, place, and intersectionality. The project should include a literature review, methodology, analysis of the interviews, and a discussion of how the findings relate to the themes in the book and existing research.

3. Produce a piece of creative work (e.g., a short story, poem, visual art, or performance) that explores themes from the book. Creative work(s) will be accompanied by an essay that explains the inspiration behind your work, how it connects to the book’s themes, and its relevance to the academic concepts discussed in the course.