LGBT+

There is a paradoxical approach to my dealing with this theme, but what I have aimed to do within my novels is write about it without actually writing about it. I’m probably not making any sense, so give me a bit a wiggle room and I’ll explain.

However, before I go any further, let me explain my usage of the term LGBT+.

I have also stated the same view within my writing through my characters, who on this matter all agree with me (it is one of the joys of writing, to consolidate one's own point of view or consider alternative views). It is becoming increasingly common to use LGBTQ+, but I don’t see the point because the very reason the “+” exists is to serve as a kind of “catch all”; just in case anybody has been missed.

Funnily enough this serves the same function as the “unknown” God in the Pantheon of Gods in Athens – after choosing the twelve they didn’t want to risk offending a God who they’d inadvertently missed out. Biblical Scholars have claimed that the Apostle Paul, during a visit to Athens, declared that the missing God was Jesus Christ himself!

That aside, and back to my main point; it is unnecessary to create an alphabet soup, with adding additional letters when the “+” is present. I for one would consider adding “P” for Pansexual, and do all the "T"'s want to be lumped together? There could also be “F” for “Fluid” and I have no idea how to add “non-binary” to the increasingly and unnecessarily long “code”.

And there may well be more that are not in mind at this moment in time – hence my need for the “+”

So, let’s just leave it as it is.

While I understand the necessity of grouping all “non-heterosexuals” together as an alternative, they do not form a cohesive group in any case. Lesbian / Gay / Bisexual individuals are definitely binary, as are many trans(...) individuals, but not in every case and herein lies the difficulty in group classifications or over-defining demographics.

Incidentally, I personally believe that demographics should only serve a marketing purpose (for example when buying car insurance) and for us to widen their usage is to oversimplify things and strip people of their individuality.

So, now that’s clear, I can move on.

An old tutor of mine, whenever LGBT+ came up in a discussion, always used to say, “I am not a rainbow, but I love rainbows” and I strongly identify with what he is saying. What he is really saying, is simply “whoever you are, love people for who they are”.

I love this.

Going back briefly to what I said about demographics and over-generalisation is that we need to see the importance of seeing people as individuals regardless of their stories, background or identity.

I might meet an individual in the street who is lovely and another who is horrible. Let them stand or fall on their individuality, gender and sexuality are irrelevant concerning their interactions.

Many homophobic individuals protest Pride events, by saying that they don’t celebrate their heterosexuality nor feel a need to wave banners in the street to make their point. While this is a flawed argument, they do raise a valid point.

Firstly when they are in error; where there is ignorance there needs to be a raising of the public profile to increase the general levels of acceptance (I don’t like to use the word tolerance because it means I don’t like it, but will put up with it) and understanding.

Consider a campaign to raise awareness about the plight of polar bears. We concentrate on the perils that polar bears face and we don’t wave placards saying “Save the Elephants” or celebrate the reintroduction of condors in South America. While the latter two are without question valid causes, they only serve to be a distraction from the real endangerment that the polar bears face. Conversely if the issue is about elephants any campaign should focus on them and not the polar bears.

In principle Pride is addressing the same issue by focusing the microscope on where the need is. Black Lives Matter serves to achieve the same purpose.

Secondly, and at the risk of contradicting myself, the valid point that they do raise is that they don’t bring their sexuality or gender out into the public arena because it is essentially a private thing. That is absolutely right, with the obvious caveat that it is true, so long as the rights of all are protected and there is no discrimination against others for whatever reason.

So, my approach has always been about the normalisation of LGBT+ individuals and their relationships.

Within my novels I have introduced five well developed female characters who can identify as being LGBT+. They are not a monolithic group, each with inclinations and tastes, but first are foremost they are individuals and have strongly been presented as such.

They each face challenges and difficulties as the try to navigate their way through their pasts, which have had undeniable impacts on their present, and everyday life; just like everybody else. They study and work and have social lives as well as a wide range of interests.

The catalyst that drives The Confession is Ania’s infidelity, which is a universal issue and an ongoing fact of some people's lives irrelevant of gender and sexuality. Furthermore, in addition to Ania, each of the other four girls are then thrust into a position of having to deal with the fallout when the truth comes out.

The point is the individuality (and I make no apologies for overusing this word – that's my point) of how each of them, including Ania, goes on from there. The Hard Road Back takes this idea further.

Their status within the LGBT+ community is almost irrelevant, as Elwira tries to come to terms with what happened and the others try to piece back together their little family that Ania’s indiscretion has ripped asunder.

They are Ania, Dominika, Emilia, Kasia and Elwira; individuals with names and personalities and not just a demographic or some kind of subgrouping.

Individuals! Individuals! Individuals!

And that is how we all should be seen regardless of age, gender, sexuality, race, nationality, religion or whatever other false demographic we try to push people into.