Non-linear storyline

Coarse language from the onset and throughout

Major story themes of cheating, emotional betrayal, and emotional immaturity

Character themes of strained, and emotionally-abusive, relationships between queer teenagers and parents. Including: emotional neglect, controlling parenting, distant and dismissive parenting, and queer erasure by parents

Use of reclaimed queer language, by queer characters

One depiction of queer slurs used by a parent towards their child

One depiction of fatphobic language used by a parent towards their child

Brief allusions to a hyper-“clean” attitude towards food, from parent to teenager (one mention, general themes of underlying parental control of teenager’s eating behaviour and habits)

One visceral and emotional description, and depiction, of food. This is used as a metaphor for sexual desire

Brief allusions to the spiritual and divine

Brief allusions to illicit substances, both as metaphor, and as past use (no depiction)

Themes of not practicing one’s religion (Islam) and straying from one’s culture (Egyptian)

Themes of small-town queer loneliness and isolation. Depicted with era-specific communication technology and resources of 2010, 2011, and 2012. With 2011 being the story’s main setting.

Multiple mentions of, and allusions to, teenage sexual desire, masturbation, and urge to have sex for the first time

One passing mention of a mother’s experience growing up in Zimbabwe (circa 1960’s – 1980’s), and concern for her sexual safety in that context

One explicit sex scene

Also: This novella DOES NOT employ the ‘Bury Your Gays’ trope.