Freymann-Weyr didn't set out to write the definitive tome on coming-of-age while struggling with the questions of sexual identity, but in My Heartbeat, she certainly did a great job of capturing the confusion, anger, and despair that accompanies the process. The McConnell family struggles to come to terms with their changing perceptions about Link and what it means to be gay, and our story becomes a character study about how each family member deals with the information they've been given.
Questions About Sexual Identity
- Is James gay? Is he bisexual? Is it at all important to him to have a label for how he feels? Why or why not?
- Could Link be straight but just struggling with the idea of having a gay best friend? Or is his anger a result of him repressing the truth about his own sexuality? Back your answer up with evidence from the book.
- Why does Ellen have such a hard time finding any answers about being gay from the books she reads?
- How do Ellen's parents differ in their approaches to the question about Link's sexual identity?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
James isn't afraid of being gay because his parents aren't pressuring him about it either way.
Link is afraid of being gay because his father holds such strong opinions about what that would mean about his mind's heartbeat.