Hugo Awards conference; Santa Fe, 2070
“— incredible, just absolutely incredible.”
“Now what you have to understand, Midge, that this was the 1980s. Homosexuality was only decriminalized the decade prior —”
“But marriage legalized by the new century!”
“Yes, absolutely. However, there was still a pervasive prejudice — especially among the older generations (that is to say, Dr. Whittacker’s and Dr. Perks’ generation) — that would have made things increasingly difficult for them were they to be, to use the period term: ‘out.’”
“I feel I must point out that they were both professors at a university: which, as we know, tend to be a haven of liberal attitudes even amongst conservative eras.”
“Quite right, Jocelyn, but they were still female academics. There is precious little range for error or, shall we say, deviation amongst university staff. Especially for those desperately inching toward tenure.”
“May I remind the panel that there are ten minutes remaining before we move onto the next session of the day?”
“Thank you, Dr. Schaffer. I would like to bring up the possibility, as well, of a polyamorous relationship with Thomas Lynn—”
“— little evidence to suggest—”
“— desperate rumors by the media—”
“And the fact remains, Dr. Torres, that had they been loathe to publicly announce a lesbian relationship, a polyamorous admission would have been even more—”
“— three of them rented a seaside cottage together every summer for ten years—”
“I’m afraid, ladies and gentlemen and colleagues, that’s the five-minute warning. Please cede the floor to Dr. Uri, who will begin the closing remarks. There will be another open discussion on the personal lives of the posthumous honorees during the afternoon session. Now if you’d please all direct your attention—”
