Author Alex Sanchez on The God Box
When I was growing up, there weren't nearly as many books about GLBT teens as there are today. In part, we can thank author Alex Sanchez for that. Sanchez just has written his sixth novel,The God Box. This narrative about a gay Christian teen raises issues that are sure to be familiar to many gay teens trying to find a balance between their religion and their identity.
What prompted you to write The God Box?
I wrote the story in response to emails I received from teens all across America who read my previous books.
“Being gay and Christian is the hardest thing in the world,” one girl wrote to me. “But I still love God, and no matter what anyone says, I am what I am.”
A boy wrote, “My parents are very staunch Christians and when they found out about my homosexuality, they sent me for counseling. It didn’t really work. Now I don’t know where to turn.”
And another: “You always know that if you asked your friends what they thought about homosexuality they would say you’re going to hell. No questions asked. Fire and brimstone forever. I think that’s what hurts the most.”
Reading such comments made me recall my own faith journey and inspired me to write The God Box.
As we see throughout the book, being a gay Christian teen can be really tough. The main character Paul also struggles with his identity as a Mexican-American, for example not wanting people to call him by his given name, Pablo. Why did you give Paul this additional challenge?
Paul’s challenge stems from my own struggle with my identity growing up as both gay and Mexican-American, and experiencing prejudice for both. I hope the story illustrates for readers that prejudice is prejudice, regardless of its basis.
In the novel, Paul's life is changed when Manuel, who is gay, turns up at his school. As a result, he is forced to confront a lot of his ideas about what it means to be gay. But not everyone has a Manuel. Do you have any coming out advice for kids who might be the first openly gay person at their school, or in their community?
My main advice is that coming out is a very personal decision (often a milestone in a person’s life) and only that person can decide if, how, with whom, and when to come out. There’s no rush. Consider possible consequences, both positive and negative. It’s an important issue to think through. To help teens work through it, I have a whole page on my website, with advice about coming out.
Manuel's character challenges a lot assumptions about Christianity and homosexuality. Has there been any response to the book from Christian groups? Has anyone taken issue with the way your characters interpret certain Bible passages?
No backlash to The God Box so far, but I suspect there will be, since my other books have been challenged and banned. I’ve prepared myself for it by reaching out to like-minded Christian groups all across America. The good news is that more and more people are realizing that you can be both gay and Christian. As the Bible says in I Samuel 16:7, “man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
You talk a lot about Gay-Straight Alliances in the book. What do you think is the hardest part about starting one? What is the greatest benefit?
High school students who have started GSAs in their schools tell me the hardest part is getting their school’s approval. I let them know that by law any public school has to allow a GSA unless they ban all non-curricular school clubs. One of the greatest benefits is the sense of courage and accomplishment that students get when they’re finally able to get a GSA going.
In The God Box a lot of teachers ignore blatant homophobia. According to a GLSEN report this also happens a lot in real life. Why do you think so many teachers allow this hostile environment to exist?
Although educators may understand how homophobia hurts students, they often don’t know how to address the issue. I’ve gotten several emails from teachers and librarians telling me how they’ve used my books as resources to help them address the issues with both students and administrators.
Any chance we are going to get to read more about the adventures of Paul and Manuel in the future?
It’s always a compliment when readers want to read more about my characters. Maybe one day I’ll return to Paul and Manuel, but for now, I have other novels I want to write. You can keep posted on my most recent works at www.AlexSanchez.com.
