Rigoberto Gonzalez

Gonzalez is the memoir's central protagonist. He is just turning 20 at the present tense time of the story. The narrative reveals that he is Mexican-American, gay and that his mother died when he was young. He has an estranged relationship with his father. As a gay man raised in a macho society, Gonzalez has never felt acceptance from his family even though he is the first member of his family to graduate from high school. He is also the first member to go to college. His circumstances have left him in a fragile state. He does not know where his true identity lies. As a result, he makes bad choices in his personal life such as staying with a lover who beats him and loves to show his control over him in other ways as well.

At the beginning of the sotry, readers realize that Gonzalez...