1. In "Slipping Away," identify specific instances that highlight the parallels between racial prejudice and sexual prejudice.

2. Based on the insights from "Am I Blue?" what life decisions do you think Vince makes as he grows up?

3. In "Parents' Night" and "We Might As Well All Be Strangers," what fears do the parents experience? If these parents were to meet, how do you imagine their conversation would unfold?

4. What similarities exist between Willie in "Holding" and the mother in "We Might As Well All Be Strangers?" By the end of these stories, who do you believe is more mature, and for what reasons?

5. What is the meaning behind the title of "Hands?"

6. Among the eight stories featuring lesbian characters, what commonalities and differences do these characters exhibit?

7. Among the eight stories featuring homosexual boys, what similarities and differences do these characters share?

8. Set in the 1950s, "Four Mondays in July" and "Dancing Backwards" explore attitudes toward homosexuality. Based on these stories and your own experiences, how much do you think these attitudes have evolved?

9. How authentic do you find the portrayals of the teachers in "The Honorary Shepherds" and "Parents' Night?" Do teachers typically engage in students' personal lives or advocate for students who are different? Should they?

10. In Bruce Coville's story, if people began turning blue, how do you think society would react? Would there be an increase or decrease in tolerance towards homosexuality? Would having a visible indicator of your sexuality make navigating your identity easier or more challenging?

11. Several adult characters question teen characters about how they know they are gay. Why do you think adults rarely ask teens how they know they are heterosexual?