In one of Fred’s history classes, for example, two students debate over whether to refer to Harvey Milk as “homosexual” or “gay,” debating the relative merits and applicability of the respective labels. Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me isn’t about Freddy’s struggle to come out of the closet she and her friends are already comfortably open regarding this aspect of themselves.īut even in a setting where it’s okay to be queer, there’s still a significant fascination with labels. Even before the title has even appeared, Freddy and her friends have posed for a selfie in front of a school-sponsored Pride display. The story opens at the Oakland high school’s Valentine’s Day dance. Labelsįrom the outset, it’s clear that Freddy is comfortable with her sexuality. Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me was written by Mariko Tamaki and illustrated by Rosemary Valero-O’Connell. While the struggle to navigate a toxic relationship will be relatable to many readers regardless of their sexuality or gender, the setting and company kept by Freddy give the story a distinctly queer edge. Freddy is forced to confront whether or not she wants to allow her girlfriend to define her. Nevertheless, the misnomer is intentional and highlights the central challenge faced by Freddy Riley, the protagonist who finds herself infatuated with the eponymous LD. The story told by this graphic novel is not really about Laura Dean at all. Writer: Mariko Tamaki Artist: Rosemary Valero-O’Connell Publisher: First Second Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me is an arresting title, but it’s misleading. This week, Avery is exploring Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me, a graphic novel published in 2019. Welcome to Queerness In Comics, a bi-weekly column by Avery Kaplan, which will explore queer representation in comics.

Laura dean graphic novel