Why is writing Will Byers x fem reader something problematic?↷
First of all, let’s summarize this situation in one short sentence: you are turning a gay character into a straight one.
Will Byers represents a marginalized minority group
The actor who portrays him is part of that minority
The fifth season, which gave rise to all this mischaracterization in fanfics, is the season in which his sexuality finally received a direct approach (and it is also the first season with a consolidated queer couple; Robin and Vickie ❤️)
The wave of conservatism and the normalization of homophobia on the internet
Imagine the person who saw themselves represented by the character’s arc, who identified with Robin’s speech, coming here and seeing, basically, Will Byers in an intense gay conversion session? Frustration is already expected (even disgust), so no, it is not surprising that people complain — they have the right to complain! To talk about the character who represents them and about how he is being approached in these stories! Do you even care about what Will Byers represents?
The comment about “gay cure” was deliberately an exaggeration, but it is an easy line of thought to draw. Let’s go back to the summarized statement: you are turning a gay character into a straight one.
Or worse, into a bisexual one! You are modifying a queer storyline with the sole purpose of heteronormatizing it and turning it into an erotic tale with a woman. No, you are not developing a diverse plot by keeping Will’s passion for Mike in your fanfic with a female reader; you are being disrespectful and showing that you have no tact whatsoever to deal with sensitive writing and LGBTQ+ characters. If you are going to do it anyway, just turn him straight once and for all! Clearly, there is no care, nor is any importance given to what the character represents.
“You turn heterosexual characters into gays!”
People who say this are ignorant. Are you really trying to put a MINORITY, which is brutalized every single day for being who they are, on the same level as the privileged social norm? The norm that exists across all media vs the marginalized minority with few representations and that feels immensely attached to the little it has. It doesn’t seem like the same thing to me 😕 or are you the type of people who believe in heterophobia? hahaha
Countless discussions are raised from fictional works! Film adaptations, for example, turn non-white characters into white ones, and the issue is discussed.
What’s the next step? Robin x male reader? I hope the sapphics speak up if that happens, and I’ll be there with them!
