We Are All People

I mentioned sometime last year (Nov 21, 2014...I checked my Tweets) I would eventually write a blog post that gives a bit of insight as to why I write some of the characters I write. More specifically: "One day I will explain why I support LGBTQ folks and why I have so many characters who are LGBTQ. It will be a blog because 140 characters (on Twitter) isn't long enough." Oh hey, this is the day.

For those who are new here or don't pay a lot of attention to my Twitter/this blog or for those who don't check out the novel series tab to see what the heck I do: I write A LOT. In most of my novels I have a non-cis or non-binary character. Only two novels in the 42 (as of Jan 2015) I've written DO NOT include someone from the LGBTQ community. This means the other 40 novels have a character who is in said community.

Who are these characters? I made a list:

• Xeros, Drake, Zahnee, Zanrah, Denxen, Kien, Adara, Vesgha, Ekard, from Cara: attracted to the same gender.
• Raven, Havoc, Gold: Bonehemmer Princess and Harmonizer: attracted to the same gender
• Shawn, Ice, Derrick, Ray: Seer and Seeker: attracted to the same gender
• Jayden/Jordan: Changed: transgender
• Andre, Gary: Chosen Ones of the Forbidden Object: attracted to the same gender
• Star Von Vette, Jammer: Model: attracted to the same gender, Star is also considered "androgynous" and dresses in women's clothing even though he's a he. No, Star is not transgender and does not wish to become a female. He likes being male and likes dressing as a woman all of the time.
• Glitch, Dylan: Lies: Glitch is a gay cyborg and Dylan's an ambiromantic asexual
• Archard, Noam: Warriors Eight: attracted to the same gender
• David: Protectors: Attracted to the same gender
• Drew: Testing Grounds: attracted to same gender and cross-dresses
• Samuel, Greg: Glory Hole Series: married to each other
• Rowan: Burnt: the Story of the Fire King: male to female transgender who transitions as a point of view character over the course of the novel.
• Lucy McGregor, Anne, various minor characters: Thriller/Mystery Series: attracted to the same gender, female to male transgender (minor character of note), cross-dressers, and various others.
• Blair, Tim: Mists of Time Series: Blair is bi-gender and Tim is bi-sexual.
• Angelus: Tale of the Twins Trilogy: attracted to the same gender
• Kiyvn and Derke: Trees of Life: attracted to the same gender
• Garrick: Heroes Dilemma: attracted to the same gender

This list doesn't include the various short stories or any of the novels I have planned in which a character's gender identification or sexuality isn't known yet. Now. Why do I write so many characters who are part of a non-binary or non-cis sexuality or gender?

The simple answer? I am under the firm belief everyone who is alive today no matter what their identity, race, color, etc deserves to be represented in fiction.

The complicated answer? There aren't enough works of fiction (RE: novels) featuring LGBTQ or even People of Color as characters in a predominate, meaningful role other than the token gay/black/lesbian/PC character. See all those characters listed above? Without them there would be no story. They each have an important role to play and in most of the stories they are the main character.

Why? Because everyone deserves to be represented and it bothers the HELL out of me when a character is included in a novel, in a minor role that serves no purpose, and the author makes a big deal about them being gay or lesbian or whatever because "O-M-G, I'M BEING INCLUSIVE!" It bugs the HELL out of me a popular author didn't mention the sexuality of a popular, well-loved character until SOMEONE ASKED and the books were over and done with.

I'm not saying you have to scream your character's sexuality/gender preferences from the mountain tops but there should be obvious clues as to who/what the character prefers or doesn't. And yes, we do need more LGBTQ main characters so issues like the Leelah Alcorn case don't happen again.

If people understand what certain groups go through for simply being themselves then maybe there wouldn't be so much hatred in this world. Maybe if there were more authors willing to write about a real, normal (whatever that means) transgender woman (or gay person, or black person, or any other "non-normal" person) in fiction there wouldn't be so many transgender (etc) suicides going on and perhaps there would be a little more tolerance in the world.

I'm not saying you have to be best friends with everyone and everything can be all kittens, puppies, and rainbows. I am saying everyone deserves the same level of respect no matter what their skin color, gender, sexuality, religion, or what have you.

In order to get to some semblance of respect people have to see that no matter what a person's skin color, gender, or sexuality is the person is STILL A PERSON. They have the same wants, needs, and feelings as everyone else and they deserve to be represented and respected like everyone else.

Maybe I'm being optimistic but I think if I represent everyone as well as I can in my novels and people see these "non-normal" people as normal then maybe, just maybe, I can change someone's mind. Maybe I can bring a little more acceptance into the world. Maybe I can make a difference.

So, why do I have so many LGBTQ characters? Because everyone deserves a little love, respect, and acceptance.

Until next time: rants, rage, out-right insults, comments, questions and everything in between can be directed to the comments.