More Happy Than Not

The phrase “no homo” appears 15 times throughout the novel. It’s used to distance the speaker from any homosexual or generally queer connotations of what they’ve just said or done. Aaron and Thomas use it frequently to deflect any suggestion of homosexual desire in their friendship, which they both recognize is unusually close. For Aaron it is almost reflexive, as he subconsciously and later consciously realizes that for him, everything is “homo.” The repetition of this phrase drives home the degree to which Aaron is self-conscious and paranoid about surveillance and discovery. It also paints a sad picture of the ways the men in the book—and by extension, men in our culture—police themselves against any perceived lessening of their masculinity. For Aaron, the actions that receive the “no homo” label often occur in moments when he feels vulnerable or close to someone, particularly Thomas. It’s a defensive phrase intended to protect or shield its user from criticism, but it also reveals the delicacy and limitations of the masculinity prized in the novel. The frequency with which it is used suggests that the boys are constantly hyperaware of the way their peers perceive them.