Thread: Gay/ Lesbian Protagonist/ Antagonist???

What are your thoughts on this?

I have no objections to a lesbian protagonist, in fact I'd probably surrender....

I don't quite understand the question. I would have no problem using a gay or lesbian character as the protagnoist or antagonist. Nor could I imagine someone would unless they were ridiculous characters or used in a moronic way as the antagonist. (main character must stop them infecting people with homosexuality etc etc)
Though one thing I have noticed about my work, unless it is necessary to the story, or if I mention a husband/wife most of my characters could go either way. In fact in short stories most of the characters are single because it is easier than having to deal with the added element of a spouse/partner

What I am working on now there is one couple and one woman with a child, I don't think I mentioned what happened to the husband, or if she had one in the first place. I havn't mentioned the relationship status of any of the other characters nor which gender they go for if they were to start a relationship.

My thought is, "What's the point?" Unless the protagonist's romantic relationships are an important part of the plot, it feels like you'd just be adding that trait to get another mark on your "character diversity checklist."

Most characters, regardless of whether or not their preference is explicitly stated, are asexual. It's just the nature of stories. For example, even though Rowling officially said that Dumbledore is gay, he's still asexual. Nothing in the stories indicate that he has an sexual preference at all, so for all intents and purposes, he's just a regular guy that has a big "I am gay" stamp on him. He's not actually gay.

In the same way, there's absolutely no reason to make your protagonist gay unless there's something you want to accomplish by doing so. If it's not going to make a difference to the story, don't bother.

I guess I don't really understand the question either. Like any demographic, if it's important for the story, it will be mentioned/emphasized/included. If not, it won't.

Do you mean, what are my thoughts on a story about homosexuals? If you know enough about them to write a story about them, go for it. If you mean something else, why bother?

Originally Posted by Gamer_2k4

My thought is, "What's the point?" Unless the protagonist's romantic relationships are an important part of the plot, it feels like you'd just be adding that trait to get another mark on your "character diversity checklist."

Most characters, regardless of whether or not their preference is explicitly stated, are asexual. It's just the nature of stories.

In the same way, there's absolutely no reason to make your protagonist gay unless there's something you want to accomplish by doing so. If it's not going to make a difference to the story, don't bother.

This. Btw: Personally, I wouldn't read a book with a 'gay' protagonist (or other main character), because I'm not interested in that type of thing, or that type of book. You'd simply be narrowing your book's target market.

But if you're more interested in making social/political statements within your literature than the writing itself, then go ahead.

"Brokeback Mountain", a story about two straight men struggling with their romantic and sexual feelings for eachother, was very successful.

I think it takes bit more skill to handle controversial topics, but if you can pull it off well, it makes it all the more indelible in the mind of the reader.

Is it a romantic story with a gay theme? Then I presume it would be a prerequisite to have the protag or antag as gay characters. But unless the story has anything to do with sex and sexuality, or your making a homosexual point about something why would it matter?

Or if you are asking about the market for such work then I would say the general hetrosexual reader would not be too interested in a gay romance.

Or are you asking whether a gay character could take on a hero role then yes I suppose but you will have to do it subtly and don't make it look like you are making a point.

Originally Posted by Robdemanc

Or if you are asking about the market for such work then I would say the general hetrosexual reader would not be too interested in a gay romance.

Not sure about that so much. The m/m romance 'genre' is growing, and from what I understand from a friend who's been quite successful with it, it appeals to both gay and straight. Not sure about lesbian romance, however.

If done properly, there are special publishers that focus on these books.
GLBT publishers

There will be some people that will avoid the book, but any contraversial issue will.

Like others have said, why is it important?
Why does the main character have to run through the book with a banner saying " I'm gay"?

How about a good story, and when the time comes, let it come out in a modest way. Say a member of the opposite sex hits on the mc, and the mc admits it?

Most people aren't activists, they don't hide it, but they don't flaunt their sexuality either.

IMO I have only read one author that kept my interest in a story of gay lovers. I felt uncomfortable with it, but the way she wrote it, it wasn't down and dirty and it was just a believable characteristic.

I will admit, lesbian romance is less uncomfortable for me, I see the beauty of women, so I can understand a female seeing it too.

To write it well, you can not make it the cliche homosexual. You need to have a believable character, and I think if writing in the real world, you must portray the bigot attitudes and discrimination from those that know.

Originally Posted by shadowwalker

Not sure about that so much. The m/m romance 'genre' is growing, and from what I understand from a friend who's been quite successful with it, it appeals to both gay and straight. Not sure about lesbian romance, however.

Really? What about a story that implies it? Would that tease the readers? I have a scene in one of my books and after re-reading it it seems to imply a romantic setting between two male characters. They are arch enemies but become friends by the end of the book and I don't want to get rid of the chapter because at some point they need to be alone to exchange intelligence.

Originally Posted by Robdemanc

Really? What about a story that implies it? Would that tease the readers? I have a scene in one of my books and after re-reading it it seems to imply a romantic setting between two male characters. They are arch enemies but become friends by the end of the book and I don't want to get rid of the chapter because at some point they need to be alone to exchange intelligence.

I don't see any problem with implying it. Certainly there are hetero relationships in books which are implied but never come to 'fruition' in the book itself. If nothing else, it allows the reader to carry it further in their imaginations, if they wish.

Some people are gay. So yeah, a protagonist or antagonist could be gay just as they could be straight. I agree though that you should either make it relevant to the story or keep it subtle and matter of fact. Like 'this is my partner'. Okay, whatever, moving on!

Originally Posted by shadowwalker

I don't see any problem with implying it. Certainly there are hetero relationships in books which are implied but never come to 'fruition' in the book itself. If nothing else, it allows the reader to carry it further in their imaginations, if they wish.

I don't think its much of an issue really. Its just that when I was going over it and came to this chapter I thought it was the only part in the story that could be deemed 'romantic' in terms of the setting. The two characters are not gay anyway so its more of a moment of 'male bonding' perhaps.