Beautiful Thing, Moonlight. Be south-east London council estate, a daytime dance floor, his head resting on your shoulder. Be South Beach, Miami, night of water and fire, your head resting on his shoulder. Be the fabric of his shirt the muscles in his shoulder, your shoulder. Be the bricks, be the sand. Be the river, be the ocean. Remember your life is not a movie. Accept you will be coming out for your whole life. Accept advice


from people and sources you trust. If your mother warns you about HIV within minutes of you coming out, try to understand that she loves you and is afraid.


If you come out at fifteen, this is not a badge of honour, it doesn’t matter what age you come out. Be a beautiful thing. Be the moonlight, too. Remember you have the right to be proud. Remember you have the right to be you.


The Black Flamingo author Dean Atta,


illustrator Anshika Khullar Hachette Children’s Group ISBN: 9781444948585


Winner of the 2020 CILIP CKG Shadowers’ Choice Award


Dean Atta


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