Gitlin, Lisa. I Came Out for This? Bywater Books, 2010. 280p. $14.95. ISBN: 978-1932859737.

Lisa Gitlin’s I Came Out for This? is a coming-out story with many of the typical clichés ― first love found and lost, one night stands, and the second lover standing by while you work out the emotional and mental side effects of losing your first lover. In this coming out story the main character, Joanna Kane, a 45-year-old, tells her tale through a series of 24 monthly journal writings. The unfolding story begins in Cleveland, Ohio, where Joanna meets first lover, Terri, who is visiting family. The reader tags along as Joanna decides to follow Terri to Washington, D.C., even after Terri has ended their sexual relationship, in hopes of winning her back. In the end, Joanna is able to let go of Terri, and in doing so she finds happiness with Kimba. Along the way, the reader is introduced to a cadre of gay and lesbian characters, ranging from street thugs, Johnny and Guillermo, to Jerome (a gay prostitute), Nicky (a lover of Jerome‘s), Dee (an advocate of children in the foster care system), and many others.

Gitlin has done an admirable job creating a story that communicates to the reader the tormented reality of Joanna’s two year journey from new beginnings to an established residence in D.C. with many lesbian and gay friends. Readers will be able to relate at some level with Joanna and her coming out story.

As the story reached its conclusion, this reviewer was glad that the author toned down the teeth gnashing diatribes by her main character, which had become annoying. While the secondary characters were sketched with broad strokes, Gitlin manages to make them seem real and relevant to the main storyline. This is a good, solid first novel by the author.

I Came Out for This? contains adult language and a few sexually explicit scenes. It is recommended for libraries that have adult GLBTQ fiction collections.

Reviewed by, TJ Lusher