EXTRACT PACK 3 HEARTSTOPPER – VOLUME 2

Discussion questions:

• What is happening in the extract from Volume 2? What emotions do you think Nick is experiencing here?
Charlie came out with his mom. The emotions Nick feels here are, peace and relaxed, peace because
he came out with his mom and she didn´t react in a bad way,she continued to be proud of her son and
wasn´t disappointed in him. Releaxed because he has someone to trust and talk to without being
judged.
• Why does it take great courage to have conversations like this? Explain your ideas.
Because when someone comes out they dont know how the other person is going to react, even tho
you know them well. They can have a harmful reaction. Your parents may react in such a way that they
may not even speak to you again because of the disappointment that you are not straight, as it is
traditionally. You confrot your fears, anxiety that you feel in front of the person you will tell, no matter
what you might feel, you gain confidence and open yourself up to a situation that you don't know if it
can end well. That's courage.

• How does Nick’s mum respond to the news she is given? How is humour used effectively here and
throughout the novel?
Nick´s mum answered in a good way and said that it's okay. She didn´t shout at him or show a bad face
to the news, like saying “I'm disappointed in you”, someyhis like this. Well after Nick came out the
mom to relieve pressure she made a joke about that Charlie can't go on vacation with them.

• How could Nick’s mum react differently to this news? How could a negative reaction from her affect him?
She could have been sad about it or disappointed because that wasn´t what she expected. Nick could
be ashamed, because he revealed his identity. Sad, because his mom doesn´t agree with him or even
he can have a great depression.

• What is the problem with the notion of ‘coming out’? Do heterosexual individuals also declare their
sexuality like this?
The problem with the notion of “coming out” is that, instantly the other person think that, is someone
gay o lesbian and couldn´t be like, heterosexual for example, or think bad about the other person like,
it not consider normal . Heterosexual people do not declare themselves in this way, saying that they
have already come out of a closet, they say it naturally and nothing happens because it is "normal".
• Why is it important to confide in people you trust when you are ready? How does this idea relate to
Charlie’s experiences?
 It's important because then you can have a support system where you can support each other without
feeling judged. If you trust the person you are going to talk to, you know that he will support you
without hesitation, then you can open up without fear. This is the case of Charlie, who confessed to his
mother, the one he trusted the most, what her true identity was like. And since there was mutual
trust, his mother did not hesitate to hug him and tell him that he was fine and supported him.
• How can you be supportive to those in the LGBTQ+ community who discuss their sexuality with you
privately?
We can be supportive, not judging, not say anythig to other people, and keep acting like you always
have, don't make it too serious, make them laugh and feel comfortable. If you want your friend to
really feel your support, learn more about the community. Apart from giving you more tools to
support, you will be able to understand more about the subject. You will be more informed about
LGBT+ rights and you may even share data with that person who did not know. With this, you will
demostrate that you are intersted in him or her.
• How can you show solidarity with someone in the LGBTQ+ community who comes out publicly? Give
examples.
• I think that if someone comes out the best you can do is not make a big dale, but if people are being
mean you should always stand up for them if they need to. Don´t make assumptions about sexual
orientation to the gender identity of people. Support anyone who decides to come out.Speak out
against homophobia, transphobia, and anti-LGBTQ aggression or discrimination, don't just watch them
harass or attack someone for being like that, defend them and show others that it's okay and they
don't need to be aggressive against them.