If you follow me on Instagram, you know this is just a repost. I just wanted to bring it over here, because I realized that I don’t have to make everything separate. And also not everyone who’s subscribed here follows me on Instagram. I’ll make sure to post more consistently since I can transfer posts now! (How to write black characters is next.
Intro/Opinions
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I often see that we are misrepresented in both physical and digital media. With heavy and harmful stereotypes involved, like the man-hating Lesbian, or the character who centers their whole life around their sexuality. If we look at the real world, that's not always the case. Not every queer person fits under those categories. There is a certain depth that goes overlooked because certain characters are only created for diversity. But when people create certain things to check off inclusive boxes, with no afterthought, creativity is lost, and only assumptions remain.
Context/Research
To write characters who are LGBTQ+, you have to understand what that means first.
LGBTQ- Stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer.
LGBTQ+ - Stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Transgender, Queer, and anything outside those terms. (Pansexual, Asexual, Aroace, and more)
Queer- An Umbrella term. Anyone who is not heterosexual OR cisgender (Liking the opposite sex, OR identifying with the gender they were assigned at birth.)
It is important to know that if you're not a part of the LGBTQ+ community research is heavily important. You don't need to know every single term, but you need to be mindful of the ones you use, how you use them, and what they mean.
Depth
All characters need depth. All of them. Especially queer characters. Sometimes while reading we always come across that one flat character. They have a couple of things they identify with, but besides that, we don't know much about them. Queer people are people. Normal individuals like everyone else. For example, my identity extends beyond my sexuality. I am queer, but I'm also a Black female. These identities intersect to form the person I am. Your characters should have intersectionality within their different identities. No person is just queer. Many things/aspects of someone's life and background make up the type of person that they are. Someone's cultural background might interfere with how they present their sexuality. Some cultures are not as accepting as others, this is one example of how to give your character(s) depth.
Harmful Stereotypes
Harmful stereotypes can cause us to make assumptions about things we might not know too much about. Here are some to avoid...
Referring to queer people as gay. These are not the same thing. Queer is an umbrella term that “gay” falls into. Gay, or a gay person, is most commonly referred to as a man, who is attracted to other men.
Assuming that all queer people aren't religious. This is a very common one I see. Nobody is just one thing. Intersectionality also applies to people who are Queer and religious as well.
All Lesbians hate men. No, they don't, they just aren't attracted to them.
All bisexual people are confused. It is extremely normal to be attracted to both genders. There should be no pressure to choose one. People like both, that's the point. :/
Danger Zone
*Some EXTREMELY important things you need to know.
DO NOT use slurs that you cannot reclaim. It doesn't matter if you're writing a book and your character is getting physically berated, never use a slur that you cannot reclaim, or be oppressed by. I would suggest not using them at all, but I know some writers do. Either in a historical context or a fictional one.
Never assume what something is/means. Misinformation/poor research in books leads to misunderstanding.
Don't center your whole book around something that doesn't enrich the plot. (Ex. If the plot of your book is that Randy's grandma died, and he learns the tough reality of grief, don't bring up how Randy is bisexual every chapter.)
The Reality
It is not easy to be queer. While writing, this is important to note. The reality is that it isn't easier to be queer than straight, this should extend into fiction. Whether it's coming out to an unaccepting family, struggling in your body, or facing things like discrimination. Being queer is complex, and it's important that whatever part of it your character struggles with, you represent and show that complexity.
Ex. If Laura is struggling to admit that she is Lesbian, something she might face is comphet. (The societal pressure to be heterosexual). She might look at guys and feel nothing, but when she thinks about marrying a girl, she feels it's wrong and against what she should do. She is attracted to girls, but she wishes that the girl she likes was a guy, so she wouldn't have to face all the pressure being queer comes with.
Big Takeaways
All Characters need depth
Never assume what something is, research it.
Let go of bias.
Do not promote harmful stereotypes, and educate yourself to think against them.
Give characters multiple identities and aspects of their life.
Make your queer characters complex
Illustrate the struggle.
Don't use slurs you cannot reclaim.
Don't focus on a character’s sexuality all the time, if it doesn't enrich the plot.
Don't write queer characters to check off a box. If you're adding diversity, add it the correct way.
*Extra Tips: Ask someone who is queer to read over your work to check if it's accurate. This gives a different perspective that helps improve your writing.
As always, thank you for reading this post!