¶ … Queen by Louise Erdrich, the main character show a tendency towards alternative sexual identities. One notable example of this is Karl Adare, who arrives in Argus with his sister after they have been abandoned by their mother. Karl is sensitive from early childhood, and shows a well-developed artistic and spiritual tendency. He is fragile and appears effeminate, often mistaken for a girl by those who do not know him. As such, Karl's alternative sexuality leads him on a road of tricksterhood and loneliness, until he reaches a stage at which this is no longer acceptable.

Meeting his alienated daughter is an event that trigger's Karl's growth towards a more mature and responsible paradigm. Having been isolated from his community throughout his life, Karl finds himself longing for a sense of community. He understands that his relationships have been superficial, and wishes for more meaning in his life. While his alternative sexuality has led him away from his community, the demonstration of his masculinity in procreating a daughter provides Karl with a way to reestablish the social connections that he had lost.

Ultimately, Karl finds within the society that knows him a willingness to accept him for what he is. It is no longer necessary to hide behind jokes or trickery. He needs not change his sexual identity nor his sense of himself to establish a more mature affiliation with those around him. When reentering the society at Argus, Karl is able to do so still as himself, with a sexual identity that he is comfortable with.

When he does so, Karl is finally able to reenter into society and also into himself. He can now accept himself for what he is, and demand acceptance from others as well. It is with hope and a new maturity that Karl accepts himself. This self-acceptance is the basis upon which Karl can rebuild his life and establish a connection with his surroundings that had never been part of his life before.