Unburying the "Bury Your Gays" Trope in Young Adult Literature

Authors

Brooke Armbrustmacher, Michigan State UniversityFollow

Author Biographies

Brooke Armbrustmacher is a preservice teacher studying English Secondary Education at Michigan State University.

Abstract

In this paper, I unpack what the "Bury Your Gays" trope is, how it originated, its purpose, and its contemporary use and impacts. Through analysis of example novels and referenced scholarly articles, I explain how character deaths do or do not align with the trope, exemplifying the broader patterns of the trope and its impacts on young adults. Educators can learn to contextually identify the trope, gain the tools to spark classroom discussion through analysis, and identify examples of novels that disrupt this trope to be implemented in classroom libraries and reading lists.

Recommended Citation

Armbrustmacher, Brooke (2025) "Unburying the "Bury Your Gays" Trope in Young Adult Literature," Language Arts Journal of Michigan: Vol. 39: Iss. 1, Article 16.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.9707/2168-149X.2427

Publication Date

8-2025