Paperback's Pondering's is a weekly discussion when I take a topic and well, ponder about it! This week's topic is about a problem that I've been seeing in YA, and that is LGBT+ characters being added in as plot fillers and not to promote diversity.
I want to start off by saying that what happened in Orlando absolutely disgusted me, so I knew that I wanted to do a Paperback's Pondering's dedicated to LGBT+ people. I am straight, and to my knowledge I do not know anyone close to me who is a member of the LGBT+ community, but LGBT+ rights is something that I stand for so much. It just baffles me that someone who is exactly alike in dignity as me, is denied rights due to who they love. That is why books containing LGBT+ characters really strike out at me, because it gives an amazing image of a strong relationship. However what I don't stand for, are authors putting one LGBT+ character in their books to shake things up a bit, and then have the audacity to call it diversity.
I don't really like calling out authors and books in my posts, so this post will remain in general, but I have a clear picture in my head of a few books I've read where LGBT+ characters needed to be given more recognition. One book that really got on my nerves made a character in a love triangle LGBT+ so that there would be a clear winner. Another had many love interests, and so knocked off a few by making them LGBT+ when there were about 2 chapters left in the novel. I go in thinking it's a wonderfully diverse book, and it turns out to be a simple plot twist.
What annoys me about these books is that once the LGBT+ characters sexuality is "revealed", they are dropped off the face of the earth because they are clearly not needed anymore. They served their purpose of adding a plot twist, and now they are free to go. This is so not cool. If you're going to put LGBT+ characters in your books, please let them stick around for a while.
So why do we even need LGBT+ characters in our books? We need them because they show others that there is more than just straight relationships. There are more than just cis-gender people saving the world. There is a much bigger dynamic of sexuality on this earth that sadly people seem to discount. We need to educate people, we need to enlighten people, and we need to destroy ignorance.
So please please please, authors! When making a character LGBT+, give them the recognition they deserve. Give them a relationship, give them a story, give them a life outside of revolving around the straight main character! Obviously any LGBT+ character is better than nothing, but please show them some more love than they get. And as a straight person, I apologize for the ignorance and hate of some of the people in this world. Love is Love, and it's time for people to understand that.
Emily @ Paperback Princess
Including LGBTQ+ just as a plot twist *face palms* - love is not a last-minute plot twist. LGBTQ+ relationships deserve to be treated the same way - and with the same respect - as you would treat a het relationship.
ReplyDeleteExactly! Why people can't understand that baffles me, they're relationships are of no less importance:(
DeleteI love representation of LGBT, but I hate when they are used to clear away the romance entanglements. It's ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteRachel @ A Perfection Called Books
It is ridiculous! I just want a storyline already and not just a flat one-sided character.
DeleteI understand what you are saying! I think that authors need to decide going into their books that they are going to have a lgbt+ character. I feel like when they are just throw in as a plot twist, it was made in a rush without much thought.
ReplyDeleteYeah it does seem that way! I'd like for an author to include an LGBT character from the start.
DeleteOhhh this is so true! If you're gonna have an LGBT+ character for diversity, then actually make them a CHARACTER, not as a plot filler. Also, would love to see more diverse books where the LGBT+ character's whole story doesn't just revolve around their sexuality/gender! Would KILL for a sci-fi or fantasy novel with a kickass queer character! Great post, so glad we as a community are openly talking about this!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sam! I think that would be awesome! I would definitely read a book with a strong queer lead, I think that would be excepted so well in this community.
DeleteI'm so glad you made this post! I almost made one like this. I agree with you completely. LGBT+ are actual people, not plot devices.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sierra! I'm glad this is a topic that a lot of blogger's agree with :)
DeleteYes, I agree with you! A friend and I are actually doing a readathon focusing on diverse books - I think it'll be good to discuss these topics during it. I really appreciate you taking the time to talk about this, and supporting the LGBT community!
ReplyDeleteThanks Annika! I think that as a community, the only way we can combat the hate is by taking about it. I hope you enjoy your diverse reads!
DeleteThis is so true and I'm so glad you decided to dedicate a post to this! I absolutely hate it when authors misuse LGBT+ characters as mere plot devices (this applies to many diverse characters, TBH) and it's extremely infuriating when they are used as plot twists and as a means of sorting out relationships in an easy way- I can name quite a number of books off the top of my head that did this and I'm strongly against this. I do wish authors would give more for such characters to do than just be the MC's sidekick or a third wheel in a relationship or worse, just a random character in the background.
ReplyDeleteOf course!! Whether it's a third wheel in a relationship or the sidekick best friend, LGBTQA characters seem to always get a backseat in books, but then the books are labeled as diverse. And you're right, this is typical in a lot of "diverse" reads.
DeleteI love this post so much, Emily!! You express everything so eloquently, and I agree 100% with every point you've made. It's so important to not kill off LGBT+ characters, and treat them with respect, because of all the homophobia in our world. LGBT+ should never just be treated as plot devices, because irl identities are trivialised and fiction should be trying to eradicate that, not doing the exact opposite and following the trend. Thank you so much for writing this post, Emily, you're wonderful ♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteDenise | The Bibliolater
Thank you Denise, that means a lot! I definitely think that with all the homophobia in the world, it only makes things worse when the characters are made to feel like they're nothing. They need to be respected A LOT more!
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