forum "As a person of the LGBTQA+ community, what stories do you wish you saw more of?": LGBTQA+/ SAGA advice and support forum.

Started April 18, 2018 by @Twitchy

tune

I feel like there should be more stories on ftm trans teens–but one of them figuring it out, you know? Where he doesn't really KNOW anything yet, but some things just dont feel quite right

I tried to do that with one of my characters, but since I'm not trans myself I found it to be super difficult because I don't fully understand what it's like to realize you're trans.

I feel like there should be more stories on ftm trans teens–but one of them figuring it out, you know? Where he doesn't really KNOW anything yet, but some things just dont feel quite right

Yeah, all of the trans kids I know are ftm, but most of the books I've read have mtf (which is important too, obviously)

The main book series that I'm writing there are two ftm characters, one a teenager and one an adult. Both of them have known they were trans for a good few years before the book starts.

@PuffPoff_the_Miracle_cousin
If you'd like some pointers, I could help you out with figuring out how a trans kid figures himself out

@Alexx04 Thank you, but it wouldn't really fit in with the plot now. However, I'm still trying to figure out how a thirteen year old trans boy would deal with dysphoria.

@PuffPoff_the_Miracle_cousin
We have our ways ;)
Although, some aren't too safe about binding when they aren't out to their parents, yet (some people try to do things that end up breaking ribs and causing permanent damage to their lungs and such)

For those of you who could help be figure out how he would deal with dysphoria, here's a bit of backstory:
He was born on a planet where people who are deemed "ugly" or "different" or "dangerous" get sent to a walled off town. He currently lives there with his mother and younger brother, who are both completely fine with him being transgender. However, it is still considered illegal and punishable by death. He doesn't bind, but he passes well enough that no one seems to know that he's trans, but I think he would still feel dysphoric because he isn't binding.
I tried looking up what dysphoria felt like for people so I could write it into the story, but I haven't been able to find anything that helped.

I want a story where LGBTQ+ characters aren't just that, I want them to be in-depth, I want them to be normal because that is what they are. Sometimes they are treated like a different species but they are human. I want to see them in different genres, where they aren't focused on finding a partner. I want to get rid of stereotypes, why can't the gay guy be really good at football? why can't the gender fluid person have interests that are stereotypes as gendered hobbies, but they still enjoy those things? Why can't the asexual be in a relationship? why do they have to be a lone wolf? anyways, that's my view on these things

YES YES YES YES YES TO ALL OF THAT, TIANI!

I want a story where LGBTQ+ characters aren't just that, I want them to be in-depth, I want them to be normal because that is what they are. Sometimes they are treated like a different species but they are human. I want to see them in different genres, where they aren't focused on finding a partner. I want to get rid of stereotypes, why can't the gay guy be really good at football? why can't the gender fluid person have interests that are stereotypes as gendered hobbies, but they still enjoy those things? Why can't the asexual be in a relationship? why do they have to be a lone wolf? anyways, that's my view on these things

^^^ that. Also, I just want a story with an LGBTQ+ MC where the story isn't about that at all. Like, they're just a regular, deep, fantastic character, and they're also hot for both girls & guys on the side. But it isn't a big deal or a part of the main storyline or even a subplot—it just is. As on of many facets of the character.

Also, if there could be a story where the proportion of sexualities & genders was correct, that would be amazing. Sure, that would mean there would be more straight & cis characters than there would be LGBTQ+, but it would be more accurate to the real world. I think that would be representation in its purest form, because things would be represented, and also represented in the amount that they occur. I feel like too often things are either way on one side of the spectrum, or way on the other; all straight characters, or all LGBTQ+ characters. But the thing is, not everyone is straight. Not everyone is LBGTQ+ either. I think a mix would be cool.

I defiantly agree with that @alice . While I do have some books that are mostly LGBTQA+ characters, I like to make sure that my main series has a nice balance of genders and sexualities.

I defiantly agree with that @alice . While I do have some books that are mostly LGBTQA+ characters, I like to make sure that my main series has a nice balance of genders and sexualities.

:D

Yeah I don't really do that…my cast is like…all LGBTQA+ people….

Yeah I don't really do that…my cast is like…all LGBTQA+ people….

oop. I mean, there isn't anything wrong with that, I'd just like to see one published book that has a nice balance. Most of them just have like….that one gay best friend, or just no gay at all, which is…not what I'm looking for XD

Yeah I don't really do that…my cast is like…all LGBTQA+ people….

oop. I mean, there isn't anything wrong with that, I'd just like to see one published book that has a nice balance. Most of them just have like….that one gay best friend, or just no gay at all, which is…not what I'm looking for XD

Yeah, that's like the worst trope because like I know so many LGBTQA+ kids and also a lot of straight kids/kids who haven't said what they are either way, the Gay Best Friend Who Is TOTALLY GAY Despite Never Actually Having A Boyfriend And Is Only There For Snappy One Liners And Snazzy Fashion is Overused.

Yeah I don't really do that…my cast is like…all LGBTQA+ people….

oop. I mean, there isn't anything wrong with that, I'd just like to see one published book that has a nice balance. Most of them just have like….that one gay best friend, or just no gay at all, which is…not what I'm looking for XD

Yeah, that's like the worst trope because like I know so many LGBTQA+ kids and also a lot of straight kids/kids who haven't said what they are either way, the Gay Best Friend Who Is TOTALLY GAY Despite Never Actually Having A Boyfriend And Is Only There For Snappy One Liners And Snazzy Fashion is Overused.

It really is. It should be gotten rid of.

Transgender or nonbinary characters. Not everyone likes their gender.

I have a nonbinary character in my main series but I'm afraid that people will think that they're too young to fully know that they're nonbinary (they're 12).

I want a story where LGBTQ+ characters aren't just that, I want them to be in-depth, I want them to be normal because that is what they are. Sometimes they are treated like a different species but they are human. I want to see them in different genres, where they aren't focused on finding a partner. I want to get rid of stereotypes, why can't the gay guy be really good at football? why can't the gender fluid person have interests that are stereotypes as gendered hobbies, but they still enjoy those things? Why can't the asexual be in a relationship? why do they have to be a lone wolf? anyways, that's my view on these things

^^^ that. Also, I just want a story with an LGBTQ+ MC where the story isn't about that at all. Like, they're just a regular, deep, fantastic character, and they're also hot for both girls & guys on the side. But it isn't a big deal or a part of the main storyline or even a subplot—it just is. As on of many facets of the character.

Also, if there could be a story where the proportion of sexualities & genders was correct, that would be amazing. Sure, that would mean there would be more straight & cis characters than there would be LGBTQ+, but it would be more accurate to the real world. I think that would be representation in its purest form, because things would be represented, and also represented in the amount that they occur. I feel like too often things are either way on one side of the spectrum, or way on the other; all straight characters, or all LGBTQ+ characters. But the thing is, not everyone is straight. Not everyone is LBGTQ+ either. I think a mix would be cool.

I agree, but I would like to point just one thing out. LGBTQ+ people always tend to find each other, even if they don't know that they're queer, yet. We just kinda find each other. Like, literally all but two of my main friends are LGBT and I was the first to come out as anything. So yeah, I think it just kinda depends, when it comes to proper proportions.

I have a nonbinary character in my main series but I'm afraid that people will think that they're too young to fully know that they're nonbinary (they're 12).

You're never too young to find yourself :D

YES YES YES YES YES TO ALL OF THAT, TIANI!

:D

I want a story where LGBTQ+ characters aren't just that, I want them to be in-depth, I want them to be normal because that is what they are. Sometimes they are treated like a different species but they are human. I want to see them in different genres, where they aren't focused on finding a partner. I want to get rid of stereotypes, why can't the gay guy be really good at football? why can't the gender fluid person have interests that are stereotypes as gendered hobbies, but they still enjoy those things? Why can't the asexual be in a relationship? why do they have to be a lone wolf? anyways, that's my view on these things

^^^ that. Also, I just want a story with an LGBTQ+ MC where the story isn't about that at all. Like, they're just a regular, deep, fantastic character, and they're also hot for both girls & guys on the side. But it isn't a big deal or a part of the main storyline or even a subplot—it just is. As on of many facets of the character.

Also, if there could be a story where the proportion of sexualities & genders was correct, that would be amazing. Sure, that would mean there would be more straight & cis characters than there would be LGBTQ+, but it would be more accurate to the real world. I think that would be representation in its purest form, because things would be represented, and also represented in the amount that they occur. I feel like too often things are either way on one side of the spectrum, or way on the other; all straight characters, or all LGBTQ+ characters. But the thing is, not everyone is straight. Not everyone is LBGTQ+ either. I think a mix would be cool.

I agree, but I would like to point just one thing out. LGBTQ+ people always tend to find each other, even if they don't know that they're queer, yet. We just kinda find each other. Like, literally all but two of my main friends are LGBT and I was the first to come out as anything. So yeah, I think it just kinda depends, when it comes to proper proportions.

That's true. A lot of my friends are LGBTQ+ like me, and we've been friends ever since we were really little. I think when I wrote that I was thinking about something with a larger cast, comprised of multiple groups/friend groups. While I was talking about stories, in my mind I was being irritated by every tv show and movie ever set in high school. (Of course, you couldn't have known that, because I didn't say it, so that's my bad). I think you're right, that in stories with smaller casts there is likely to be less variation because a) le gays LGBTQ+ people tend to gravitate towards each other and b) it's just a smaller sample size.

Also, if there could be a story where the proportion of sexualities & genders was correct, that would be amazing. Sure, that would mean there would be more straight & cis characters than there would be LGBTQ+, but it would be more accurate to the real world. I think that would be representation in its purest form, because things would be represented, and also represented in the amount that they occur. I feel like too often things are either way on one side of the spectrum, or way on the other; all straight characters, or all LGBTQ+ characters. But the thing is, not everyone is straight. Not everyone is LBGTQ+ either. I think a mix would be cool.

I agree, but I would like to point just one thing out. LGBTQ+ people always tend to find each other, even if they don't know that they're queer, yet. We just kinda find each other. Like, literally all but two of my main friends are LGBT and I was the first to come out as anything. So yeah, I think it just kinda depends, when it comes to proper proportions.

That's true. A lot of my friends are LGBTQ+ like me, and we've been friends ever since we were really little. I think when I wrote that I was thinking about something with a larger cast, comprised of multiple groups/friend groups. While I was talking about stories, in my mind I was being irritated by every tv show and movie ever set in high school. (Of course, you couldn't have known that, because I didn't say it, so that's my bad). I think you're right, that in stories with smaller casts there is likely to be less variation because a) le gays LGBTQ+ people tend to gravitate towards each other and b) it's just a smaller sample size.

That's actually science! Our pheromones are similar, and everyone gravitates towards people with similar pheromones, so subconsciously we know the other person is some shade of lgbtq+, even when neither of us know cognitively.

Wait what? Gaydar is scientifically confirmed?