“Acceptance also has a bit of negative to it, doesn’t it?”: Rethinking identity formation in Openly Straight (Konigsberg, 2013)

Abstract

Queer identity formation can range from repulsion to nurturance, identity confusion to identity synthesis, and exiting heterosexual identity to entering a queer community. According to Cass’s Model of Identity Formation, there is a developmental progression in formulating a queer identity. To create awareness and understanding, prescribed literary works may be used in the language classroom to teach students about diverse identities. However, language classrooms in heteronormative societies are not always utilised to their full potential. Therefore, this paper argues for the inclusion of Konigsberg’s 2013 young adult queer novel, Openly Straight, in the language classroom, exploring Rafe Goldberg’s non-linear search for his queer identity. This study employed qualitative content analysis within a critical paradigm. The data gathering strategy was the purposive selection of a primary literary text, and the data-analysing strategy was content analysis. The main findings suggested that (1) identity formulation was hindered when queerness did not exceed acceptance, (2) queerphobia could be countered when celebrating queer identities as the highest point of identity formation, and (3) Openly Straight (Konigsberg, 2013) could be a suitable resource for young adult students in heteronormative language classrooms to teach and learn about identity formation.