"How do we talk about queer characters in richer, less dismissive ways? I’m not sure. It’s hard...."

“

How do we talk about queer characters in richer, less dismissive ways? I’m not sure. It’s hard. Which is why the conversation that Talley started is so important.

One approach might be to include identity cues while also talking about what characters do in the story. This manages to not erase or minimize or dismiss queerness while also making for a better description. Not “an astronaut who happens to be gay” but “a gay astronaut who goes to Mars.” Not “a teenager who happens to be a lesbian” but “a lesbian teenager who runs for student council president.” Not “a woman who happens to be trans” but “a trans woman who falls in love with a cowboy.” Aren’t those fuller, richer, more interesting alternatives?

”

- from Let’s Stop Saying “Just Happens to be Gay”
(via bookriot)