Russell is trying to come to terms with the fact that he is a gay teenager, while also trying to hide his sexuality from everyone else. When Russell discovers that one of the baseball stars and popular guys in school, Kevin, is also gay, Russell feels as if he finally has someone that he can be completely honest with. As Russell and Kevin start a romantic relationship, Russell also decides it is time to tell one of his best friends, Min, that he is gay. Min reveals that she is bisexual and is dating Terese.
Russell, Min, Terese, Min’s friend Ike, and Kevin all agree to meet at the local pizza parlour. Since they are all LGBTQ+ this group meeting allows the individuals to feel as if they belong somewhere for the first time. This leads them to form an official after-school club, the Geography Club, so that they continue to meet without anyone catching on that they are queer.
While the pressure of being gay leads Russell to stand up for and defend a bullied boy, Brian, it also leads some of the other club members down a different path. Kevin continues to hide his sexuality, which ultimately breaks up his relationship with Russell. Min and Terese also separate because Terese wants to continue to hide who she is, while Min wants to reach out and invite Brian to join their club, which could also put the identity of the group members at risk and expose their secret.
Geography Club has been repeatedly challenged since its publication for homosexual themes and profanity, before being permanently banned and removed from school libraries in 2015, ostensibly for romanticising internet hook-ups and potentially encouraging dangerous and risky behaviours among teenagers.
Hartinger, B. (2003). Geography Club. HarperTempest.