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Her sexual preference is of no consequence to her guy friends until it no longer suits their purposes.

Pen is perfectly comfortable being herself – it’s others’ reactions that make her uncomfortable. Girard draws the reader into Pen’s world, showing incredible insight into perceptions of gender and sexuality, interactions between adolescents, and intergenerational family dynamics. Standing up for herself – both in regard to her friends’ demands and generally for her rights as a queer young woman – leads her to question notions of respect related to herself and others. But when an attraction sparks between Pen and one of Colby’s intended conquests, and the fallout from a previous hookup begins to affect her, Pen realizes that she must assert herself (or, as her brother says, “man up”). Up to now, dodging her parents’ questions and comments about her appearance and hanging out with the guys has worked pretty well. Her platonic friendship with Colby, one of the most popular and desirable boys at her Catholic high school, has afforded her a certain level of immunity from the brand of bullying specifically perpetrated by teenaged boys, as has Pen’s willingness to help orchestrate Colby’s hookups with girls (and to look the other way when he treats them poorly). Respecting their wishes – which involve conforming to rigid gender roles – while being true to herself is a constant source of strife. Penelope (Pen) Oliveira is 16, a lesbian, and the daughter of highly traditional Portuguese parents.

The author explores the idea of respect for oneself, family, and friends, and the conflicts between these individuals and groups. Respect is the dominant theme that runs through Girl Mans Up, the latest novel from pediatric nurse and two-time Lambda Literary Fellow M-E Girard.