Notebook.ai

hi who wants to tell me how to write a not too cliche lgbtq+ character

@flora.books forum 17 comments schedule
@flora.books

r e a d t h e t i t l e

person_off
Deleted user

OK THE MOST ANNOYING THING IS WHEN A LGBTQ CHARACTERS PERSONALITY IS LITERALLY JUST THAT THEY"RE LGBTQ. MAKE THEM FLAWED AND COMPLEX AND YOU SHOULD BE GOOD.

person_off
Deleted user

OK THE MOST ANNOYING THING IS WHEN A LGBTQ CHARACTERS PERSONALITY IS LITERALLY JUST THAT THEY"RE LGBTQ. MAKE THEM FLAWED AND COMPLEX AND YOU SHOULD BE GOOD.

@flora.books

hhhow do i make them "complex" like what kind of stuff would classify them as complex

person_off
Deleted user

Like just give them a personality, flaws, likes, dislikes, stuff like that! like, as a gay person, my personality isn't just being gay.

@flora.books

hmm ok thanks!!

person_off
Deleted user

yeah totally!

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@PuffPoff

I agree with @moonlight-viligante. Write the character like any other character, just remember that they are LGBTQA+

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@evastardust groupRRAAAARRL
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What bugs me is the "OH MY GOSH THEY'RE PERFECT BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT CIS/STRAIGHT!!!!" Give them flaws and personality outside of their gender and sexuality. Like, write and develop a character and then decide their gender or sexuality. Write them like you would any straight character, but they just have different romantic/sexual preferences.

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@PuffPoff

^^^^

person_off
Deleted user

like, gay people can be jerks too, just like straight people can. and gay people can be super sweet and kind, just like a straight person could.

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@evastardust groupRRAAAARRL
RRAAAARRL

Also, don't rely on stereotypes, like the flamboyant theatre-loving gay guy, or the bi person that can't commit to a partner, or the sweet "too good for this sinful earth" ace, or the evil soulless aro who's evil because they haven't been in love, or…well, you get the idea.

@flora.books

wow you guys are really helpful thanks to alllllll!

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@Becfromthedead group

I'm just gonna add another question onto this. In my story, I have characters who happen to be gay/bi/ace/etc. How do you go about conveying that in a story that's not about them being gay at all? Like that's just kind of part of them, and they have a fully fleshed out character that has nothing to do with their sexual orientation. I ended up giving one of my guys a husband because it made sense, but everyone else is single, and I don't want them to be "straight by default" in other peoples' eyes. I do know it needs to be worked in, not announced, because I want to show people they're gay. Not tell them. If only heteronormativity wasn't a thing.

person_off
Deleted user

most of that is up to you, the writer, but one of my favorite things in books is where you don't mention a sexuality for a character at all , and then just casually slip in a mention of it at a certain point. but thats all up to you!

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@PuffPoff

Some great examples of lgbtqa+ characters that have great personalities and flaws would be Raymond Holt, Rosa Diaz (Brooklyn 99), Wylan, and Jesper (Six of Crows). These characters are lgbtqa+, but it is rarely mentioned and isn't the focus of their character.

person_off
Deleted user

the trick is finding a balance 0f good representation and not having stereotypes. (EG: fabulous, drama gay, or goth lesbian )