Riley had already developed an online support group through an anonymous blog they started as part of therapy. Riley finally begins to feel that they have a physical place where they fit in. Bec takes Riley to a meeting of the Q, a support group for members of the LGBTQ community. He suggests that it is Riley’s dress and behavior that invites the harassment Riley receives.īec, whom Riley thought was a boy at first, connects with Riley because her sister was transgender. He advises Riley that they need to try to bring less attention to themself. Solo is an overweight darker skinned boy who is bullied because of his love of Star Wars and the Chewbacca backpack he once wore. Unfortunately, Riley learns that students in public school are just as cruel as their peers in private school. When Riley transfers from private Catholic school to a public school, they hope that the students there will be more open minded. Through their blog, Riley not only connects with other LGBTQ teens but is also invited to speak on a conference panel to discuss the use of social media as a way to connect members of that community. When their psychiatrist suggests that Riley start a blog to help relieve their anxiety and connect with others like them, Riley finds a niche for themself. Along with the pain of being bullied, Riley spends a good deal of time feeling wrong in their own body. As a gender fluid teen, Riley Cavanaugh, the main character and narrator of the novel The Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin, anticipates rude remarks and stares.
NOTE: With respect to the main character's gender fluidity, this study guide uses "they," "their," and "them" to refer to the singular Riley Cavanaugh.īeing a teen is hard, even under the best of circumstances. The following version of this book was used to create this study guide: Garvin, Jeff.
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