Dustin Lance Black

Dustin Lance Black is the author, narrator, and main character of Mama's Boy. The narrative scope of the book covers most of his life, from childhood to the present day. As a child, Lance is very sensitive, thoughtful, and creative. He loves doing arts and crafts, has strong love for his family, and feels a sense of responsibility toward his mother at a very young age after his father abandons them. Lance feels and acknowledges his attraction to boys from a young age, but almost immediately internalizes the homophobic messaging of the Mormon church in which he was raised. He develops a deep-rooted shame about his sexuality which, compounded by his fears of being separated from his family in the afterlife, result in a variety of mental health issues in his youth included extreme shyness, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.

Lance begins to come out...