Guanabee Interviews Writer Alex Sanchez On Writing Naked, Divine Vaginas, and Coming Out Gaytino

Germexican-American Alex Sanchez is an award-winning writer of 6 novels and numerous short stories aimed at young readers that tackle issues such as homosexuality, coming out, religion, and being Latino. Sometimes all at once. Also, he’s really hot, which is why Gabriel decided to interview him. This is what ejaculated between them:

Guanabee: Alex, you were born in Mexico, but moved to the United States when you were 5 years-old not knowing a word of English. On your web site you mention that in junior high you heard the words “faggot” and “homo”, and that you viscerally reacted to such language. As a bicultural/bilingual gay man, do you react differently to the word “faggot” versus the word “maricón”? Do you feel that one has more “weight” for you than the other?

Alex Sanchez: In terms of anti-gay slurs, I feel doubly—and equally—vulnerable on both Anglo and Latino language/cultural fronts. For me, part of being bicultural includes not feeling I completely belong to either culture, but also makes me more open and accepting to differences.

GB: Kinda like being in a multiculti threesome. One moment you’re being tied up and the next you’re banging the bisexual. So, anyways, why did your family move to the states? And how do you feel about the US/Mexico border fence being built? (Like WTF, right?)

AS: My dad, born in Mexico of German parents, never felt completely accepted in Mexico. He and my ma made a mid-life decision to come to the US and start a new life. With regard to the border fence, I think it’s a political ploy to avoid the hugely complex economic and social issue of immigration.

GB: Word. Politics make my head hurt. Let’s talk gays! Your main audience seems to be young readers. What challenges do you face as an openly gay man in writing literature that some people might construe as a way to recruit young kids in a “homosexual lifestyle”?

AS: As a result of new technologies, cultural change is racing around the world faster than ever in history. Although my books are often challenged or banned, those challenges are minuscule compared to the acceptance they receive. People want information and resources to deal with change.

GB: Seriously, nowadays gay youth are coming out faster than they can Google their Xtube. You mention that your books have generated a lot of email from different kinds of people. What are the most common comments/questions they write and what are the most disturbing emails you’ve gotten?

AS: Teens mostly ask questions about coming out. Sometimes they ask for dating advice. The most disturbing emails are the ones where I hear about people clearly misrepresenting and lying about my books.

GB: I’ve found that homophobes are usually not know for their reading comprehension. Have you been invited on dates via email?

AS: Yep, by adult readers. Some have been inspired or moved by my writing and want to thank me. Others are looking for a different sort of connection, similar to meeting someone rich or powerful. In either case, I respond by inviting them to my bookstore gigs and sometimes we have coffee afterwards

GB: Sucio! Also, um, what are you doing next Friday? More to the point, what are you wearing?

AS: Being a full-time writer lets me spend most of the day at home wearing only boxers—or less. Right now, less. Seriously, though, I love the adoration. (Who wouldn’t?) But adoration is a fantasy. The reality is that I am not the books I write. The guy I now date has never read a single one of my books and I hope he never does. That way I know he loves me for who I am, not because of what I’ve produced.

GB: Fine. Back to “serious journalism”… As an immigrant, you most definitely bring a much-needed point of view to young readers. For example, when you were growing up as a Latino in America, did you find Mexican shame to be similar to homo shame?

AS: The big difference between growing up with ethnic vs. sexual minority shame that, as young people, when we’re shamed by ethnic or racial prejudice, we can usually seek out comfort and support from our families. But as LGBT young people we often can’t. Many times our families are one of the biggest sources of that shame.

GB: Shame is a bitch, and so is Jessica Alba. Although we totally tolerate her now which is a unique challenge. Speaking of, do you think gay Latino youth have less or more challenges than previous generations when coming out?

AS: The biggest difference between this and past generations is that young people today can find and connect to other LGBT people. Even if their traditional families reject them, they know they’re not alone, because the pervasive news media is constantly highlighting LGBT issues. Young people can choose to seek out people who support them.

GB: Like in your latest novel The God Box which is about a God-fearing high school senior who is dating a girl but develops a boner huge crush on an openly-gayxican called Manuel. Reading an excerpt of your book gave me a boner. Are any of these stories based on actual facts? Also, doesn’t that title bring to mind images of a divine chocha? Eww.

AS: Robert Frost, said, “No tears for the writer, no tears for the reader.” If my writing gave you a boner, I guess my writing was effective. All of my stories draw upon both experience and imagination. I lose track of where one stops and the other starts. As for the divine chocha, I hadn’t thought of that. It brings a whole new image to the concept of being born again.

GB: Thanks for talking to us, Alex. Anything more you want to say to our readers?

AS: Thanks, back at you! Find out more at www.AlexSanchez.com