Being gay in the South Bronx isn’t easy. The moment you step out your door, you’re often defined by your neighborhood, your peers and by tradition. The struggle with self-identity and social acceptance is always there. That’s the premise of ‘Chulito,’ a new novel written by Puerto Rican-born author, Charles Rice-González. It tells the story of 16-year-old “Chulito” who’s in love with a friend from the neighborhood. Charles Rice-González is also gay and from the South Bronx. He joins us now to talk about his new book and about the importance of defining your own self instead of letting your environment and others define you.

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