Because then the novels would just revolve around the character(s) being gay above everything else. Who wants to read books where its all about how the character likes to bone and then some story for filler.
*Gestures vaguely at the concept of a "love interest" in cinema and the entire genre of romance lit*
If you're gonna be a lazy piece of shit, at least be a little less lazy than the laziest trope you're failing to identify because it doesn't scratch your itch.
I'm reminded of when I rewrote a scene from Tartuffe to make the married couple two gay men and Tartuffe a woman. My favorite line I gave Tartuffe for the scene "I'll show you pink is really your color!"
As a gay man, I assure you, there are people who don't know any gay people. They aren't anti-gay, they just don't know any. Not everyone has to be present in everything, we just have to have the right and opportunity to be.
Thank you, lone brave hero, for relieving any straight people reading this of the burden of having to question their own internalized homophobia if they don't know any gay people IRL.
Right?! Like I would have to make a world without diversity on a different planet with super boring aliens or something.
Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse 5 stated (I think) that there are 7 different genders in humanity - we just being simple humans hadn’t figured that out, yet.
That blew my mind when in my teens but as an adult I am thinking that he just was very observant.
So not only does diversity make things more interesting, in books it can open people with closed minds. “They’re just like me! Oh, wait that’s new…” is such a great thing to experience when reading .
I just imagine they are there, and it just never comes up in the story. 🥰
I wouldn't want to live like that, and there's no reason my favorite book characters should live in a world like that either. Not while I get a say in the imagined realities of their world! 🙂
I'm pretty sure I agree with your sentiment, but I have to offer the corollary that I can think of several people who have no business writing gay characters, and I'd be surprised if you don't know of a few yourself.
Representation is important, but it needs to be truthful representation.
Be honest, do you want straight people writing gay characters? I feel like it would usually go wrong. If I were writing a novel that sexuality was a component, I would at the least need beta readers for the represented demographics to make sure nothing was wildly inaccurate.
Well, the thing is, if people are only "allowed" to write their own sexuality / ethnicity / gender / etc. then you end up with much bigger problems than a potentially blinkered or problematic take on the material.
Exactly. The people who complain about an author writing outside of their own demographic are the first ones to complain about how insular their works are. It's a boring rule made by boring people. They should stick to the complaining and I'll stick to writing.
Basically. I think a big thing about that is you can't be beholden to morons or people doing it in bad faith. If you put the work in, you gotta believe people will see it, you know? That's my theory, anyways.
I'm of a mind straight people don't exist. I don't think anyone is 100% one thing when it comes to sexuality. There's always a chance they could meet a person that isn't their normal preference that trips their trigger.
I once read a novel set in the far future where people were much less hung up about such things, and it said "anyone over 90% in their preference is pathological" (not an exact quote).
people are pretty similar, i don't care if straight or cis people write trans or gay characters. it's been my experience that a good writer will nail it and a bad one won't. who cares
Comments
I thought they were all on Threads?
If you're gonna be a lazy piece of shit, at least be a little less lazy than the laziest trope you're failing to identify because it doesn't scratch your itch.
Two girls on the cover
Having adventures
Alternating viewpoints
Oh one of them is reeeeally into this guy
They do not smooch each other
Puts back on shelf
Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse 5 stated (I think) that there are 7 different genders in humanity - we just being simple humans hadn’t figured that out, yet.
So not only does diversity make things more interesting, in books it can open people with closed minds. “They’re just like me! Oh, wait that’s new…” is such a great thing to experience when reading .
That being said, that stuff’s great, I’m just less convinced it can convince anyone who isn’t already open to the idea.
“I like it and I want it in my book” is a perfectly reasonable creative motive, you know?
I wouldn't want to live like that, and there's no reason my favorite book characters should live in a world like that either. Not while I get a say in the imagined realities of their world! 🙂
Representation is important, but it needs to be truthful representation.
1/2
Personally, I'd probably stick to a story where sexuality played little to no role.
Hats off to romance writers, it's tough to do well, and I'd never be able.
Because my world isn't limited to only straight people.
This is an unpopular opinion though.
It feels pretty cishet to me. Lol.
2/2