Aniya vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda

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   In the works of Becky Albertalli's Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda, the challenges and struggles that the LGBTQ+ community experience, especially during adolescence is beautifully highlighted through the narrative of Simon. “But I'm tired of coming out. All I ever do is come out. I try not to change, but I keep changing, in all these tiny ways. And every freaking time, I have to reintroduce myself to the universe all over again" (Albertalli, 56).

    I have a personal connection with this reading selection. Not many know, but I am proudly apart of the LGBTQ+ community. I came to terms with my sexuality the summer before my freshman year of high school. Similar to Simon, I decided to keep my right of choice to myself. Just like Simon, I had the supportive friends who wouldn't have looked at me any differently. I also had my mom and brother who didn't love me any less, if anything they loved me more because I could finally be happy and open about myself. But still, I stayed in the closet and hid parts of myself for 4 years. My entire high school experience was a reflection of me trying to fit and belong in society's heterosexual bubble. Thus, I understand where Simon is coming from when he says, "That's the thing people wouldn't understand. This coming out thing. It's not even about me being gay, because I know deep down that my family would be fine with it...my friends would be fine...But I'm tired of coming out." (Albertalli, 55-56)

    It was never about me not wanting anyone to find out; like Simon, it wasn't even about me being gay. It was the fact that things had to change because of it. It was as if it had to be publicly addressed that I was gay. It was the "coming out" stage that sucked! I agree with Simon, "don’t you think everyone should have to come out? Why is straight the default? Everyone should have to declare one way or another, and it should be this big awkward thing whether you’re straight, gay, bi, or whatever.” (Albertalli,146). Because only the people that aren't heterosexual have to identity as one way or another, it makes us feel like were isolated. We feel like we can't be ourselves because society wants to see everything in black or white. Which leads me to my next point, agreeing with Simon, "white shouldn't be the default any more than straight should be the default." (Albertalli, 269) I love this quote so much because there shouldn't be a default. Everyone has the right to become or change whoever or whatever they want. And they should be able to do so, without feeling different. Without being judged. Without being labeled. Without being discriminated. Without being killed.

Comments

  1. Callum CarrSeptember 22, 2020 at 6:23 AM

    Wow, Aniya. This was an amazing post. I cannot agree with you more that the defaults we have in society—white, straight, men—needs to change. Sadly, I think we are a long way off from that ever happening. Same-sex marriage was only made legal in all fifty states five years ago. And if the events over the summer have shown us anything it is that America's racism is still running rampant; both through the streets and the halls of government. In order to change our defaults, I think we're going to need significant change in every level of society. We need leaders everywhere who champion diversity and inclusivity. But we also need change in our education system. We need teachers and administrators who will fight for books like 'Simon' and 'The Hate U Give' to be used in schools. We need students everywhere to learn that race, gender, and sexual orientation are only parts of a person, it doesn't define them.

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  2. A'Keriah PraylowSeptember 22, 2020 at 12:13 PM

    Thank you for sharing your truth with us Aniya! We definitely need more LGBTQ+ representation in our society and classrooms. Despite progress with LGBTQ+ rights, we have a long way to go. Hate crimes and bullying is still prevalant today. Hopefully, with more representation we can get rid of the "norms" and create an inclusive society.

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  3. Todd WhittakerSeptember 23, 2020 at 5:13 PM

    Thank you for sharing with us, Aniya! I am also part of this community. What I like about Simon is his experience is not a "gay" one. Being gay obviously is a part of who he is, but he does not make it all he is. He is a theater kid, he is a friend, he is a music lover.... Simon does a great job of showing us how much more he is than his sexuality. I appreciate that. I think that also makes the novel approachable by non-LGBTQ adolescents.

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