SOLVED. (Possibly) YA Queer Fiction: set in 80's or 90's, the main character (woman) has to navigate the realities of growing up lesbian in a small conservative town. Spoiler.

[Sabrina Ferraris]

I read this book around 2023 and I believe it was published fairly recently (say the last 5- 10 years).

Notable things I remember from the book include:
-Written from the perspective of the main character who is older and possibly recounting (maybe in the form of a memoir but I don't think it actually was one) her youth growing up lesbian in a small, conservative town.
-the novel is set in the USA, but I can't remember the name of the small town she lives in, and I hesitate to say it was even a real place?
-Her parents were pastors or heavily involved in the church but accepted her being queer when she eventually tells them towards the end of the book.
-The novel reads like a memoir of sorts but I think the book was entirely fiction.
-A large premise of the book, once she discovers her sexuality, is dealing with the reality of homophobia in her town and navigating life in a country that is trying to criminalise being gay/ the "gay agenda" (think the gays are coming for our kids vibe).

Spoiler (ish)
-The book starts with her as a child at a church or youth camp of sorts and one of the camp councillors tries to rape her so she stabs him in the leg with a pen.
-She goes to prom in a suit and dances with another girl, the repercussions of this (because at this point the rumours of her being gay are running quite rampant) is a teacher tearing them apart, accusing her of trying to force a gay agenda and taking her to the biology (?) class where her parents basically have to come get her and help her out of the situation.

I can't remember the author or the name of the book so any help would be majorly appreciated, thank you!!

[Rainbowheart]

Forgive Me If I've Told You This Before?

[Sabrina Ferraris]

Rainbowheart wrote: "Forgive Me If I've Told You This Before?"

YES! Thank you so much! That's the one

[Rainbowheart]

Awesome, glad to help out!