Two Teenagers in 20

Summary

Two Teenagers In 20 consists of around 40 short stories (1-7 pages) of different teenagers' experiences of being gay and lesbian in the 1990s. The stories range from teenagers explaining how they figured out the were gay, how the delivered the news to their families, and how they navigated being gay and lesbian during this time period. 

Something I really appreciated about this book was that most of the teenagers who shared their experiences ended their entry with kind words and support to other teenagers who may be going through similar things. I attached some of my favorite words of wisdom to this slide. 

“First and foremost, remember that you are an individual; unique, different from everyone else. Being gay is a good thing. Don't let anyone tell you that it is a sin to simply be yourself” (Mike, 17, page 136

“Do not try to hide or ignore your feelings. If you are gay be proud, and if you are straight, be proud. But most of all make the decision: be one or the other. Living two lives will eventually take its toll on you and on those you love. Remember, it's your life and you are the one who has to be happy.”(Terry, 19, page 156)

“I’d like to say to other gay teens that I hope your coming out will be as easy as possible for you. Being gay is not the end of the world. Be strong” (Michael, 16, page 51)

Short story spotlight 

Kozie, 18 (page 127) Concord California  Kozie is eighteen years old and gay. She initially hoped she’d grow out of her feelings for girls. However, they only grew stronger. She was able to understand her feelings more after meeting her friend Justin, who came out to her as gay. One night at The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a girl she liked kissed her. She was worried about the rumors at school, but when confronted, she admitted she was gay. Most of her friends walked away, except for Diana, who eventually became her girlfriend. Her parents know, but they don't discuss it. She now hangs out with her new gay friends and openly expresses her love for Diana without fear of judgment. At work and school, she has to hide it a bit more, but on Friday nights, she is herself with Diana at Rocky. 

Analysis

Heron’s goal with this book is to show gay and lesbian teenagers that they are not alone and that many other teenagers share the same experiences. Unfortunately, although it seemed like there were more teenagers coming forward about their sexuality, the stories that were published in 1993 had an even stronger sense of isolation and distress than the ones received in 1983. Heron believed that some of this despair was due to the debate that one-tenth of the population is gay. She explains that it is nearly impossible to get an accurate number of gays and lesbians in society because of the consequences many people face when coming out in their communities/jobs/families. 

Cultural context

Following the release of "One Teenager in Ten" in 1983, there was a noticeable societal shift. The media began featuring gay and lesbian individuals more prominently, particularly during discussions regarding their inclusion in the military. The AIDS epidemic forced widespread awareness of LGBTQ+ issues, especially among teenagers navigating their own identities. Because of this Ann Heron and Alyson Publications recognized the need to update the book to reflect these changes. This edition nearly doubled the length of the first edition and added nineteen new stories. The name was changed to “Two Teenagers in twenty” to reflect the idea that more teenagers were now identifying as gay or lesbian than before.

Works Cited

Heron, Ann. Two Teenagers in Twenty: Writings by Gay and Lesbian Youth. Alyson Publications, 1995. 

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