At one point, a character tries to push the protagonist's head down to prompt him to perform oral sex. The protagonist defends himself, responding that that behavior makes him feel like he's not being treated like a person. The plot of the book and movie Call Me By Your Name is discussed, including criticisms of the fact that the 17-year-old protagonist is in a sexual relationship with an adult. There is passing reference to the myth that queer people are inherently pedophiles.