Comments on: “Just Happening To Be Gay” Dismisses A Depth of Character (Part 2) http://www.gayya.org/?p=375 LGBTQ characters in YA fiction & LGBTQ YA Authors Fri, 11 May 2012 09:21:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Robin Talley http://www.gayya.org/?p=375#comment-8221 Robin Talley Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:36:20 +0000 http://www.gayya.org/?p=375#comment-8221 Dude, ME TOO. :)

]]> By: Jaye Robin Brown @jayerobinbrown http://www.gayya.org/?p=375#comment-7928 Jaye Robin Brown @jayerobinbrown Tue, 09 Aug 2011 01:11:46 +0000 http://www.gayya.org/?p=375#comment-7928 I love these blog posts. I’ve been seeing this terminology and yes I love the idea of a post-homophobic society but we aren’t there yet. For today’s teens, especially rural teens, it is still a HUGE struggle to be gay. Thank god the media does such a great job with getting us out there so that the LGBT teens coming up have visible role models, even if they aren’t in their hometowns.

Being gay is such a complex part of who I am, that I don’t think I can whitewash it. How many other minorities can hide their minority then have to deal with that? This huge burdensome secret that when you feel safe with a person and can open up, it’s just truly amazing.

I’m thankful that resources like this blog are out here for kids in our community. (And I hope my manuscript will one day be on shelves adding to the collection of LGBT YA fiction)

]]> By: Samantha Auchenpaugh (@samanthathyme) (@ReadApparatus) http://www.gayya.org/?p=375#comment-7906 Samantha Auchenpaugh (@samanthathyme) (@ReadApparatus) Mon, 08 Aug 2011 16:37:46 +0000 http://www.gayya.org/?p=375#comment-7906 As a straight ally I guess I never thought how dismissive the terminology of “just happens to be LGBT” could be. When I used that phraseology I imagined stories that cast LGBT characters in plots where coming out was not the driving factor. It seems that heterosexuals (including myself) take for granted the fact that we are a part of the main group and that something as simple noticing a new attraction can carry vastly different implications for our LGBT family and friends… even in supportive environments and societies. Thank you for your enlightening and thoughtful discussion of the topic!
I have long desired to see characters who are LGBT in every phase of their lives, and every area of society. I think that variation is what is so often missing. This post has definitely given me something to think about in how I approach YA stories that feature LGBT characters in the future.

]]> By: Lisa Jenn Bigelow http://www.gayya.org/?p=375#comment-7904 Lisa Jenn Bigelow Mon, 08 Aug 2011 16:18:21 +0000 http://www.gayya.org/?p=375#comment-7904 Now I totally want to read/see a lesbianified Princess Bride.

]]>