Bad Queer

Talented Tamil writer, producer and poet Gayathiri Kamalakanthan’s own voice profound and courageous YA debut verse novel addresses a kaleidoscope of thought-provoking topics. At its heart it’s a candid celebration of queerness which is explored through the lens of refugee family dynamics, supportive friendships, complex romantic relationships and inter-generational attitudes.

Told across a year, from October to October, in the voice of non-binary teen Surya who lives with their mother and her gender fluid partner Amma, it is a coming of age journey. Kamalakanthan portrays Surya’s quandaries with sensitivity and care as they search for their own story. Along the way they encounter obstacles, experience prejudice, navigate first love with a boy called Blessing, discover the power of dramatic self-expression and embrace their Tamil heritage.

The reader travels through a looking glass reflecting the realities of Surya’s world. They learn how important it is for trans teen hood to be seen by others and not to mask and hide away part of oneself. Nigerian dramatists Inua Ellams and Muslim Iman Qureshi, whose plays explore race, gender, identity and sexuality are referenced. The importance of being mirrored in literature is also highlighted as Surya remembers the impact Akwaeke Emezi’s Pet had on their lives.

Gayathiri challenges the black and white constructs of sex education class using their experience as a sex and relationships educator in UK secondary schools to empower teens to think of their needs and wants, framing the narrative around consent, discovery and boundaries. Surya voices their concerns about what intimacy means for them, which leads to a positive experience.

Ultimately Bad Queer is a narrative of reclamation as Surya learns to question constructs of otherness, explore their identity, celebrate their body and transform their life through the act of self-discovery. Gayathiri runs Word Benders where trans and queer poets share their work and their trans Tamil romcom play Period Parrrty is currently being performed in London. Their life experiences influence the book throughout with an extensive reading list showcasing diverse writers and insightful discussion questions at the back. With evocative illustrations by non-binary Nigerian artist Chi Nwosu, this empathetic novel will appeal to fans of self-expressive, poetic texts like Acevedo’s The Poet X and Dean Atta’s The Black Flamingo. It will also attract older teens looking for positive queer narratives.