This intelligent work (a 2001 Lambda Literary Foundation Gay Male Biography/Autobiography Award finalist) is a personal narrative that considers the social, religious, and emotional aspects of growing up as a Southern gay male. The author describes how gay men develop close bonds, or a "family of choice, " rather than a "family of blood, " that provides a nurturing environment thought by many only to occur in a heterosexual context. Students, teachers, and anyone interested in gay studies and experiences will find The Mentor a captivating and honest look into the challenges of growing up gay through the context of firsthand experiences, revelations, and realizations.