Seattle's LGBTQ scene circa 2003 comes to life in author Mike Curato's adult debut

Google author Mike Curato and you'll see what's made the bulk of his career: brightly colored children's books, and the young adult graphic novel "Flamer," one of the most banned books in the country for its depiction of a teenage boy struggling with the realization that he's gay.

And now, you'll also find Curato's adult debut, "Gaysians," a graphic novel that feels like the natural next step from the semi-autobiographical "Flamer." It's bold and funny and, yes, unabashedly gay.

"Writing for adults was really liberating, because I just felt like I can just be fully honest about how I feel and what I'm thinking and not try to pare anything down or simplify anything," Curato told KUOW. "I just went all in."

Going "all in" meant exploring the often messy nature of dating, acknowledging the existence of sex (and illustrating it), and depicting the racism and fetishism that affects a particular slice of the LGBTQ community: gay Asian men — hence the title "Gaysians."

The book follows four gay Asian men: recently out and new to Seattle AJ, drag diva K, introverted gamer John, and party boy Steven. They are each other's chosen family, having experienced varying degrees of rejection from their own blood relatives.

"All the friendships within this group are tested throughout the story," Curato said. "It's something we all need work on, showing up for each other authentically and accepting each other in a full way, and not just peacing out or ghosting when things get too intense."

And be warned: Things get intense.

The friends grapple with transphobia, sexual boundaries broken, and attacks, both physical and emotional.

RELATED: Check out KUOW's arts podcast 'Meet Me Here'

The book is based in Seattle circa 2003, illustrating the good and the bad of the time. In the world of "Gaysians," some iconic queer spaces that have since closed still exist. So, too, does a carful of bigots who attack one of our main characters.

It was a time when Curato lived in Seattle; he left in 2013. The process of researching 2003 Seattle also meant reminiscing.

"I was texting, messaging my friends and people from the past that I hadn't heard from in a while ... just thinking about all of these routines we used to have or traditions we used to have," Curato said. "Like, after all the clubs would close, we would go to the hot dog guy outside Chop Suey, and I would get the veggie dog with cream cheese and sauerkraut, and it was like a warm miracle at 2 in the morning."

Illustrating 2003 was also a challenge, though, as Curato had to rely mostly on his memory.

"We had digital cameras, but our phones took crappy pictures," he said. "Sometimes it'd be a combination of, like, consulting what something looks like now, then trying to morph it for what it was back then."

The result was 371 pages of lovingly illustrated panels that capture the individuality of the main characters, the glamour of drag, and the vibe of a city 20 years younger.

Now, Curato is coming back to Seattle, as an author on tour and something of a literary icon, especially among gay authors and readers.

You don't have to take it from me (a.k.a. a straight cisgender white woman). Charlie Hunts, owner of the beloved Charlie's Queer Books, was excited to hear Curato had written a book for adult readers when I asked him about it. And the acclaimed writer Alexander Chee, author of "The Queen of the Night" and "How to Write an Autobiographical Novel," wrote the blurb on the cover of "Gaysians": "You'll feel seen, called out, held, and beloved."

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"There's this force that's trying to silence stories, to diminish stories when we just need more," Curato said. "When people's stories aren't shared, that's when it's easier to dehumanize them. It's easier to erase them. So, for gay Asian people living in America or in the Western world, we don't really often see those stories centered."

"I'm not a supporting character. I am also a main character," Curato added. "I'm not here to fulfill other people's roles for me. I'm here to take up my own space and share my own story. And I hope that we hear more queer Asian stories and a never-ending rainbow of queer stories."

Curato will be talking more about his story and those in "Gaysians" at Queer/Bar in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood on June 17 at 7 p.m.

Hear more from Curato on KUOW's Meet Me Here.