Do You Know That I Love You?

Mark Roeder is quickly establishing himself as the writer for gay and questioning teens. In Do You Know That I Love You, Ralph, a young gay teen living on a farm in Indiana, has an aching crush on a rock star and wants nothing more than to see his idol in concert. Meanwhile, Jordan, the rock star, is lonely and sometimes confused with his success, because all he wants is someone to love him and feels he will never find the love he craves. In a series of scenes that bring the two boys together, accidentally, Roeder keeps you on the edge of your seat. Will Ralph ever see Jordan, again? Or was this just a one-time meeting that will never be repeated? Roeder writes convincingly and makes the impossible seem plausible. Definitely for the romantic gay teen. This is perhaps Roeder's best book.

- Ronald L. Donaghe, author of Common Sons

Initial cover concept sketch by Mark's niece Jamie Dunigan

Is N*Sync Reading Do You Know That I Love You?

In an interview with the National Post, members of the boy band 'N Sync tackled the question of whether an out gay person could be a member of a popular boy band. To a man, they said yes. Justin Timberlake says it’s possible “as long as you’re true to yourself,” though he claims not to have really “thought about it, actually.” Joey Fatone adds, “I think in this day and age it really wouldn’t matter.” He goes on to elaborate that “there’s honestly nothing wrong with being gay. I have friends that are gay.” Chris Kirkpatrick and J.C. Chasez take the continental approach, with Chasez acknowledging that he’s “been exposed to Europe and things like that” and noting, “Everybody loved Boy George when he came out, and he was blatantly out there.”
Kirkpatrick also notes the different mores overseas, citing the existence of Boyzone and Caught in the Act, both of which had members who came out as gay. Closer to home, however, Kirkpatrick says, “If one of us were gay, big deal. If one of us is, maybe we’re just not talking about it. And that’s not saying we are.” Lance Bass, who seems to have the most businesslike approach, says, “Oh, yeah. Definitely. I don’t think it would hurt at all. Actually, I think it would [make the fan base] bigger...the whole gay market.”  [Courtesy of advocate.com]