The fantasy genre has been around for a while; however, there are not many protagonists or even side characters who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community. During the formative years when most people are out finding themselves, having characters who are going through the same as them can truly help erase the feeling of being alone.
Diversity in writing is lacking on all fronts: body diversity, racial diversity, and diversity in sexuality. To conclude this series, I want to bring attention to the need for more characters in the LGBTQ+ community.
LGBT characters are largely seen as background characters in writing – the comedic friend archetype for example. They’ll be the best friend to the main character and have as much development in their character as the floorboards described on page 3.
These characters usually just exist so the author can feel accomplished, as though they did something for the community even if the character is barely developed. LGBT characters are so hard to come by in main roles, as they are usually delegated to side characters who are barely seen.
The character we meet who gives exposition to the main protagonist who mentions “his boyfriend.”
The character who shelters our cast for the night mentions “her wife.”
These characters solely exist to help our main characters get on with the act whilst allowing the author a chance to pat themselves on the back for their “representation.”
While it is still good to have LGBT characters existing in the world, it is not enough when those are the only roles they play.
LGBT youths deserve to see gay couples in novels who fall in love and live happily ever after. They deserve to see gay characters and trans characters who lead the cast and vanquish the evil instead of always being the character who dies an untimely death.
There are a lot of novels that showcase coming-to-age stories and coming out stories that will bring tears to one’s eyes and present a beautiful message. These are important stories to tell; however, they are not the only stories to tell.
LGBT characters deserve to exist in novels where their sexuality or identity is not the full reason behind their story. They can exist without only being mentioned due to their LGBT identity – they can and should be fully developed characters.
To end this article I want to share some of my favorite fantasy novels featuring LGBT characters.
A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee (WLW), Crier’s War by Nina Varela (WLW), Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas (Trans rep, MLM), The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi (MLM, polyamory, The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon (WLW).
These novels are only a few that I have found and enjoyed during my time back into reading. The relationships mentioned are all featuring the main cast of characters! There are many I have on my to-read and I hope more authors will continue adding LGBT representation into their novels.