The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School

The concept of intersectionality examines how different aspects of identity create unique experiences of discrimination or privilege. How does Reyes portray the intersection of Yami’s identities as Mexican American, lesbian, Catholic, and working class? Analyze how these overlapping identities create distinct challenges and sources of resilience.

The Mayan phrase “In lak’ech” (“You are my other me”) serves as a recurring motif throughout The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School. How does this Indigenous concept evolve in meaning as characters apply it to different situations? Analyze how it functions as both a personal mantra and a broader ethical framework for understanding identity and connection.

How does Reyes contrast authentic versus performative relationships throughout the novel? Analyze the spectrum of friendships presented—from Bianca’s betrayal to Bo’s acceptance—and what commentary this provides on the healing power of genuine connection in the face of discrimination.

How does Yami’s entrepreneurship with the jewelry business represent more than financial necessity in The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School? Analyze how economic self-sufficiency functions as both a literal protection against potential rejection and a symbolic reclamation of cultural heritage.

How does Reyes portray the complex relationship between Catholic doctrine and LGBTQ+ identity? Analyze the spectrum of religious responses represented in the novel—from institutional discrimination to personal reinterpretation of faith—and what this suggests about the possibility of reconciling spirituality with LGBTQ+ identity.

Compare Maria’s evolving acceptance of her children’s identities with Bo’s parents’ established support and Yami’s father’s rejection in The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School. What commentary does the novel offer about the transformative potential of parental love and its ability to transcend cultural and religious barriers?

Throughout the novel, characters maintain elaborate deceptions—Yami’s “stealthy gay” approach, Cesar’s football team lie, the fake relationship with Jamal, and Bo’s invented girlfriend. How do these secrets function simultaneously as survival strategies and psychological burdens? Analyze both their protective benefits and their costs to mental health and authentic connection.

Analyze the parallel between Bo’s struggle with her Chinese identity as an adoptee and Yami’s journey with her sexuality in The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School. How does Reyes use these parallel experiences to explore broader questions about authenticity, belonging, and the right to define one’s own identity on personal terms?