Although author Walter G. Meyer set out to disguise the true subject of his recently released novel, he brought it to light when he spoke on campus Thursday.
Meyer, Class of 1978, read from his novel, Rounding Third, with students and community members at the HUB-Robeson Center.
Meyer said the novel has sometimes been misinterpreted by readers as a simple story of two friends on a baseball team. However, some do not realize the main characters are gay until almost a third of the way through the book, he said.
"There is nothing on the cover or initially in the book to tell you it's a gay love story," Meyer said. "I refer to it as a stealth gay novel."
Rounding Third follows the budding love story between two Ohio high school baseball teammates, Bobby and Josh, and the hardships they endure. But the novel is much more than just a love story -- it is a call for change.
"None of this is made up," Meyer said. "It would be nice if we could bring true freedom and openness and honesty and security to high school."
The novel pulls from Meyer's personal experience as well as the experiences of others.
"Most of the really horrible stuff happened to people I know," he said. Meyer said he has received e-mails and compliments on his novel, many saying they had been through situations similar to the ones described in the book, he said.
Kirstie Hartman (sophomore-marketing) said she was excited to hear Meyer speak about the book and its meaning.
"Hearing him speak was amazing," she said. "I'm extremely excited for the book."
Michelle Milberger (senior-letters, arts and sciences) was impressed by how the novel was written and its meaning.
"He plays it slyly," she said. "It shows that gay people are people too."
Meyer has written on the subject of homosexuality for years and wrote for the Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and Out, among other publications. His coming out story was even featured in the Los Angeles Times.
Although he now lives in San Diego, Meyer maintains ties with Centre County. His mother and several friends still live in the State College area.
