In the 1970s, novels first began to be published for the young adult with significant numbers of homosexual characters. Some librarians and educators have been concerned that these realistic novels have little literary merit and serve only as vehicles. Cuseo analyzes homosexual characters from 69 YA novels published between 1969 and 1982, aiming to assess their literary quality; examine their use of homosexual characters compared to nonfiction information available to YAs; and determine if their image of homosexual characters is negative. Results show an acceptance of societal myths to create a negative image of the homosexual characters. Only since 1982 has the literature seen the beginnings of a more complex and well-rounded homosexual character.