The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of racism, antigay bias, child abuse, bullying, suicidal ideation, and mental illness.

Yami navigates the challenging terrain of being gay, Mexican American, and from a working-class family at a predominantly white, wealthy Catholic school where anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment and racist microaggressions are commonplace. Pragmatic and protective of herself after being vindictively outed by her former best friend, Bianca, Yami initially prioritizes her safety by creating what amounts to a “straight Yami” persona to survive in her new environment. Despite her fears, she demonstrates remarkable resilience and responsibility—working to help pay her own tuition, supporting her mother’s jewelry business, and shouldering the burden of looking after her younger brother, Cesar. This sense of duty, instilled by her mother, often prevents her from prioritizing her own needs and happiness.

Throughout the novel, Yami’s character development is driven by her growing feelings for Bo Taylor and her complicated relationship with her own identity. Her journey toward self-acceptance is non-linear, marked by moments of courage followed by retreat. Yami’s struggle extends beyond sexuality to include cultural identity—she takes pride in her Mexican heritage while navigating spaces where it marks her as an outsider. Her internal conflict centers on the question of whether safety requires denial of fundamental aspects of herself, from cultural expressions like hoop earrings to her sexuality.