Okay so here’s the thing. Cishet people need to be writing more non cishet characters, yes, absolutely. Give me more lgbt representation, for the love of the gods, I want it leaking off the pages. But y'all should not be trying to write about trans/homophobia, you should not be putting lgbt characters in a setting that emulates the violence and prejudice we already face. I give absolutely zero fucks about your gritty realism bullshit. Cishet people need to be NORMALIZING our existence, not alienating us further.
Have your characters ask people their pronouns with the same every-day nonchalance as they do their morning coffee order or asking how their s/o slept last night. Regard all relationship orientations as conventional and normal and unsurprising, whether they be same gender, or polyamorous, or include trans or nonbinary people. Respectfully, correctly, and nonchalantly include things in your characters’ daily routines that point to them being trans and/or nonbinary.
Normalize all things LGBT+. No big reveals, or shock factor, or gay panic. Just a steady, ordinary, consistent presence. And for the love of everything, if you’re afraid of messing up, do it it anyway. Ask questions, do research, be thorough, be respectful. Don’t feel entitled to our time, but also don’t be afraid to ask us for our help. While not everyone will, there are those of us out there who would be more than happy to give it to you.
So please, guys, leave the stories of our struggles to us, and use your privilege to tell the world that we exist, and we have a right to take up space because we are human beings like anyone else.
