tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695244889866768854.post2454368744265687881..comments2024-02-06T10:13:41.248+00:00Comments on Death, Books, and Tea: Discussion post: Presentation of LGB characters Nina @ Death, Books, and Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09002356372335203320noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695244889866768854.post-78964430768623578832013-09-06T13:22:43.748+01:002013-09-06T13:22:43.748+01:00I'm not so sure where to start on this... hm, ...I'm not so sure where to start on this... hm, first off, I think stereotypes are something that simply cannot be avoided. I have done the cross-cultural, and although I found so many stereotypes/expectations were ridiculous, I also found so many were true. I guess what I'm trying to say is: They don't come from nothing. And then it's even more refreshing when you find something that doesn't fit into your (current) picture. And sometimes, it's exactly the stereotype you're looking for.<br />I mean, that's why there's genres to pick from, right? Because we expect to find certain stereotypes within them. When I want naive and over-the-top stereotyped guys and a girl who needs some rescuring (despite all the power she may have herself), I pick up YA. If I want something more leveled out, and rather harsh then cute, I pick up NA or adult books. And it's not just about what is appropriate for the age, because we are all different in that regard, but what society stereotypes with the age group.<br />Of course, that still gives you stereotypes you like and agree with, and others that annoy the hell out of you. I think the gay best friend is my pet peeve, but only if he doesn't only get shut down, but if he comes out empty as well.<br />To the fact that sexuality is stated early in a gay book... I have the suspicion it's kind of a red flag for people. Saying "Yes, this is definitvely about gay people, if you don't like it, you still have chance to jump off this bus NOW, because nothing has happened yet". Other than that... I can't say it really bothers me. I mean, you usually find the love interest in a straight book very early as well, with a bit gushing and crushing and swooning. It's kind of the same thing for me. BUT it would definitvely be an interesting development if someone stated the gay part, and then later finds out he's something else as well. Like, more bisexual or sm added to the pot, whatever. Don't you think so?<br /><br />I'm a lover of good secondary characters in general, and I find myself more often then not closer to them than to the lead roles. I don't know why, maybe because there is still some left for my imagination to fill -- with good stuff -- while the main characters are all layed out, and I find them lacking. I ususally like finding out there's a homosexual sidecharacter somewhere. It signals for me that it gets more prominent in fiction in general, and that authors at least try to get out the proverbial comfortable bubble some more. And although side characters are -- by definition -- an means to an end somehow, I really dislike if they're like just a name and hair color. I want them to be as real and thourough as possible, because I think it makes you need less of them. And I associate less characters with alot more depth and feeling.<br /><br />Ok, enough of me ranting for now. Let's see what else comes up in this discussion. ^^ Thanks for starting it, though! =)The Book Roguehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09194437325351756798noreply@blogger.com