The bisexual hero

[valarltd]

I've been hearing a lot lately about "no icky girl bits in my m/m!" Leaving aside the uglier implications of that statement, I have to wonder WHY.

The vast majority of people are bisexual. The Gold-Star Gay, who has never touched a member of the female sex, is vanishing rare. 2% according to Kinsey. Most gay men I know have at least tried having sex with a woman. Some have been married anywhere from months to decades. I have written a single GoldStar Gay. He's insufferable, Neo-Augstinian, will not be in the same room with a women by his choice and cannot live in the same dwelling as one.

I've been coming to the conclusion I don't write m/m. I don't write gay fiction, because I'm not coming out of that culture. I write genre fiction with GLBT(etc) protagonists, and the B&T aren't decorative.

Why do we write our men who have sex with men having sex with women too?

Because we write as the characters move us. And in the case of one certain muse, he's of the "fuck it if it moves, nudge it if it doesn't" school of sexuality. In various incarnations, he has (or will have) fucked everything from virginal 17 year old girls to eunuch prostitutes, from Dartmouth journalism graduates to drag kings, from vampires to conjoined twins. And Edward Kilsby, Lord Withycombe, is certainly glad that 1) sheep don't talk and 2) talking sheep are generally held to be liars.

Speaking of that series, Lord Withycombe's rakish ways are going to cause more conflict over time. Charlie will settle into a mostly homophile life. And I suspect he's going to grow jealous. However, one of the ongoing conflicts will be whether a single lover can satisfy the appetites of a sexual omnivore, especially one with...special needs. (Nigel alluded to these, and we'll see more of them in the sequel)

The others? Torturo will continue to seduce anything that breathes. Nick Boyd will fuck whoever he's told to or whoever requests him--male or female--but all his devotion and emotional connection are reserved for James Ligatos (who just might be married).

And where do those who fall between genders end up? If David falls for a drag queen, does it get weird if Alanna leaves pink lipstick marks on his cock before she changes back into Alan?

Brooks and Sparrow:
Genre fiction. With GLBT characters who have sex. LB&T not optional or decorative.

Comments

[skogkatt.livejournal.com]

Rock on! Hey, are you an Outer Alliance member? Because you've definitely got the right mindset, and I would love to feature you in the Outer Alliance Spotlight if you want to appear there.

[valarltd.livejournal.com]

I think I'd like to join. And I'm a big attention whore. I love being featured anywhere.

[skogkatt.livejournal.com]

Joining is really easy, and there's no obligation to do anything once you have joined. It's an all volunteer group of people who support queer speculative fiction. Very inclusive, and about support and promotion rather than more confrontational activism (which I know is often necessary, too--this just isn't that sort of group). Anyway, as the Spotlight columnist, I'm actively looking for diverse queer content.

[valarltd.livejournal.com]

Looks like I already am a member *headdesk* I need to update my membership and get email!

Sure, spotlight any time.

I do confrontational activism and quieter support work too.

[skogkatt.livejournal.com]

I'm ready to start lobbing questions at you. Where should I send them?

[valarltd.livejournal.com]

it's my username here at yahoo

I'm out of town until the 3rd

[trobadora]

Genre fiction. With GLBT characters who have sex. LB&T not optional or decorative.

*applauds*

[stormsdotter.livejournal.com]

*cheers* Being Bi, I often feel we're overlooked--people tend to perceive sexuality as an either/or, not as a "I'll sleep with yes, but I prefer ____."

[chickenfried-jo.livejournal.com]

WORD!

[bittermint.livejournal.com]

Hear, hear! I'd love to put every word of this on a t-shirt, only I don't think I can squeeze it all on a size XL! Damn! Why'd I have to go and lose eighty pounds?

As another author of genre fiction featuring bisexual characters (of the non-silent "b" variety), all I can say is, thankyouthankyouTHANK YOU. :)

PS - Mind if I link to this on my own LJ?

[valarltd.livejournal.com]

feel free to link.

Maybe just the summary would fit on a T shirt?

[valarltd.livejournal.com]

Any time a woman is referring to a normally-functioning part of the style of body she shares with a character as "icky" or gross or other bad terms, it's problematic. Now, my leg swelling to twice its normal size, turning red and hurting? yeah, that's yuck. A normal vaj is actually a very lovely thing.

I have a reason for every bit of m/f included in a bi title.
In Manicurists
The chambermaid is to make Charlie despair
The girls in France? After flying Edward ALWAYS wants sex, and he's testing out Charlie, seeing what he likes, seeing if there is as much interest as he thinks there is.
Sarah? plot necessity. Besides, what better way to take revenge on your ex than by raping his new lover?
Safi is Charlie trying to please Edward by fulfilling an expressed wish
Josette is a rough kind of therapy to see if Charlie still wants women. Clearing his palate of Sarah if you will.

The next books will be much more male-focused, simply because Charlie, while he likes looking at girls, won't be curious or interested anymore. Edward's sex addiction is a function of his PTSD, of which he has a case at least as large as Sean's. Faithful, not so much, and that will cause friction too.

A GOLD STAR gays view

[djtempest.livejournal.com]

I AM A GOLD STAR GAY!!! Never touched a woman sexually...EVER. lol. But, I dont mind it in my fiction. I mean, I read Anne Rice (hides from objects thrown) and her characters fuck everyone. Armand was straight up S&M porn, with lots of M/M, but there were some M/F in there and that was fine. Like I said, its human nature to be SEXUAL. lol. Period. While i tend to more M/M related erotica (cause im not a fan of Madam Vajayjay) i do have some *gasp* Hetero erotica as well, cause i like the story. Now, if only I could find someone to do a twisted M/M take on The Princess and the frog......

Re: A GOLD STAR gays view

[valarltd.livejournal.com]

I do know a few Kinsey sixes, but they tend to be younger and more urban, like you are. The guys I grew up with all tried to hide it and fight it as long as they could. Coming out in a town of 2000 in 1983? Not done.

You and Bun and the other kids are lucky to have places like MAGY and the center and the church. BTW, missed you at Yule, you doing OK?