Utilizing Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda in the Classroom

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 Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli details the captivating story of Simon, a typical teenage boy with a secret budding online relationship. This coming of age novel not only provides us with insight of the difficulties of "coming out" as an LGBTQIA+ teenager, but it also provides us with an authentic account of what it means to be LGBTQIA+ in a typical high school setting. 

Simon's account throughout the novel is no different than that of a typical teenager. He has no qualities that stand out. He is not eccentric or loud, or anything else that would make him different from the others at his school. His only difference is that he is gay. So why do have to teach this novel as a "gay novel"? The answer is, we don't! Yes, it is important to discuss the different pressures that the LGBTQIA+ community have when "coming out" to their friends and family; however, we should not make this novel seem like it is so different than any other love story, because it isn't. As future teachers, our job is to be more inclusive in the classroom, and inclusivity starts when we normalize homosexuality. We shouldn't teach this novel as a gay love story, we should just teach it as a love story. In the novel Simon says, "...don't you think that 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). Simon says that we should normalize coming out and that everyone should have to declare what they are. If we treat this novel as a gay love story, then we are not doing this. We are not normalizing homosexuality. We are putting this novel into a category of novels, and therefore, giving our students permission to do the same with their peers: furthering the divide. 

Throughout the novel, Simon is pretty matter-of-fact about being gay. Although he is afraid of how others will react to his coming out, he never struggles internally about being gay. He knows who he is. He does however, struggle with the fact that he almost has to live a double life. Simon says, "so, I keep thinking about the idea of secret identities. Do you ever feel locked into yourself?... I guess what I mean is that sometimes it seems like everyone knows who I am except me" (59). Simon struggles with the fact that he has to hide his true self from his friends and family. Like many LGBTQIA+ teens, Simon feels like he has to live two lives in order to make his friends and family happy. This is a struggle for a lot of teens who identify as LGBTQIA+ openly or secretly. As teachers, I think it is important for us to set up spaces for students so that they can get support, and again, help to normalize this is in our classrooms. 

Overall, I think that it is important for teachers to utilize Becky Albertalli's novel to highlight the LGBTQIA+ community and use the novel in the classroom to give students a voice. I think that the reason Albertalli characterizes Simon as just a normal guy, is because he is. Society tries to point out differences among all of us and only focus on those differences, and while differences are what make us unique, it is also important to start seeing differences as just normal. 

Comments

  1. Aniya HallSeptember 23, 2020 at 8:11 AM

    YES Mikayla! I'm mentally "retweeting" your blog post right now. You're totally right about educators needing to utilize this novel in the classrooms. I believe that if novels such as this one, with themes supporting the LGBTQ+ community, are normalized and emphasized , students who are struggling with the battles internally and externally will be given a voice-like you said. It'll give these students comfort and lets them know they aren't alone in their situations.

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  2. Todd WhittakerSeptember 23, 2020 at 5:05 PM

    Mikayla, I love that you discussed how this novel does not have to be taught as a "gay novel." Simon has so many experiences that are common among adolescents in general. As he says in the novel, everyone should have to come out because identity is so important in adolescence.

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