An Elle columnist considers his life as one on the outside looking in—whether at his rich, mostly white, suburban high school, his conservative black church, or at his Ivy League college in a big city—redefining what it means to be "other."
... shows [Thomas's] life and identity are much more vast and engaging than even this impressive résumé ... Thomas brings his trademark humor, but doesn’t shy away from sadness and existential crises ... With the lens of a gifted humorist and writer, Thomas skillfully crafts a prism from his multifaceted experiences ... Just as he explores race and class with a mix of curiosity and deft understanding, Thomas approaches sexual and gender identity with a calm and open demeanor, despite some anxiety and endearingly awkward moments ... When it comes to queer narratives in literature, lightheartedness that embraces the mystery of it all is rare ... With its joyful embrace of the strange and funny, Here For It is a welcome addition to the genre of queer memoir ... Thomas’ prose discards the easy notion of a spoiler, and lets us in on all of that middle stuff. These are emotionally and intellectually complex stories buoyed by humor and heart — something we can all be here for.
Alternately hilarious, touching, reflective, and insightful, this memoir will delight readers, who may find themselves reading sections of the book aloud to anyone within earshot ... Highlights include a funny retelling of the author's experience babysitting in an isolated mansion for kids who might be urine-obsessed class warriors and a poignant reflection on one of his fellow high school students' friendship and life. Readers are carried lightly but persistently along the current of Thomas's writing and may find they finish the book in just one or two sittings ... A laugh-out-loud memoir that is strongly recommended for everyone.
Culture writer and playwright Thomas humorously explores the intersectionality of his identity and his struggle to find his place in the world. Thomas’ voice radiates off the page, providing an instant level of familiarity ... By the end of the memoir-in-essays, Thomas has a clear solace with his spirituality and healthy marriage, though readers may be left wondering if he has found comfort in what it means to be a Black man in society.
