lgbt themes speculative fiction lgbt themes speculative fiction refer incorporation lesbian gay bisexual lgbt themes science fiction fantasy horror fiction related genres elements include lgbt character protagonist major character sexuality gender science fiction fantasy traditionally genres aimed male readership restricted non genre literature conventions characterisation effect conventions depictions sexuality gender speculative fiction gives authors readers freedom imagine societies different real life cultures freedom makes speculative fiction useful means examining sexual bias forcing reader reconsider cultural assumptions claimed critics lgbt readers identify strongly aliens outsider characters found speculative fiction 1960s explicit sexuality kind rare speculative fiction editors controlled published attempted protect perceived key market adolescent male readers readership possible include characters tended villains remained entirely 1960s science fiction fantasy began reflect changes prompted civil rights movement emergence new wave feminist science fiction authors realised cultures homosexuality variety gender models norm sympathetic depictions alternative sexuality commonplace 1980s onwards homosexuality gained wider mainstream acceptance incorporated conventional speculative fiction stories works emerged went simple representation homosexuality specific issues relevant lgbt community development helped growing number openly gay lesbian authors early acceptance speculative fiction specialist gay publishing presses number awards recognising lgbt achievements genre emerged century blatant longer considered acceptable readers speculative fiction concurrent increase representation homosexuality non literary forms speculative fiction inclusion lgbt themes comic books television film continues attract media attention controversy perceived lack sufficient representation unrealistic depictions criticism lgbt sources critical analysis genres popular literature science fiction fantasy constrained non genre literature conventions characterisation effects conventions depictions sexuality gender science fiction particular traditionally genre oriented male readership sex linked disgust horror plots based sexual relationships mainly avoided genre fantasy narratives hand science fiction fantasy provide freedom realistic literature imagine alternatives default assumptions cultures homosexuality accepted common feature science fiction fantasy literature prevalence influence lesbian feminist gay liberation movements speculative fiction allows writers focus way things non genre literature way things different provides science fiction quality science fiction critic called recognition reading world know world differences force reconsider outsider perspective involves sexuality gender force reader reconsider cultural assumptions freedom imagine societies different real life cultures makes effective tool examining sexual bias science fiction features include technologies significantly alter sex reproduction fantasy features include figures mythological deities heroic limited human sexuality gender allowing depicted alien methods reproduction sex viewed bisexual human gender lens spite freedom offered genres gay characters remain contrived stereotypical stories granted continuation institutions alternative usually approached including lgbt characters way mainstream society assumptions gender roles works feature gay characters likely written women writers viewed aimed women girls big male writers prone explore gay themes speculative fiction traditionally straight written science fiction community predominantly white male proportion minorities including gay people generally higher found literary group inclusion homosexuality described general population ahead written lgbt readers tend identify strongly outsider status aliens characters lead hidden double lives science fiction comparison claimed gay genre markets incompatible books marketed said denied focuses soft science fiction themes groups including gay real science fiction gay lesbian science fiction times grouped distinct tradition separate publishers awards literature true history greek writer called earliest surviving example science fiction gay science fiction story narrator suddenly typhoon swept moon inhabited society men war sun hero distinguishes combat king gives son prince marriage male society male children giving birth thigh growing child plant produced planting left moon soil works sex type base desires travels contrasts overtly sexual reserved intelligent frank treatment sexual topics pre nineteenth century literature abandoned speculative fiction written issues gender sexuality central inception ignored readers critics late twentieth century early works contained lgbt themes showed gay characters morally include lesbian vampire story shocked contemporary readers overtly homosexual characters novel themed novel openly portray lesbian romantic relationship pulp era pulp era explicit sexuality kind rare genre science fiction fantasy years editors controlled published felt protect adolescent male readership identified principal market covers 1930s pulp magazines showed clad women aliens covers magazines contents context writers like featured passionate male friendships work exceptional end careers including kiss implied disguised sexuality important openly revealed genre reflected social day paralleling common particularly true pulp fiction literary works time demographics readership possible include characters accordance attitudes times tended villains evil stereotypes popular role homosexual corrupt doomed overthrown young male hero period entirely heroes villains earliest examples genre science fiction involves challenging unconventional sexual activity early novel odd john john extraordinary mental abilities allow bound rules imposed ordinary british society time novel strongly implies older boy devoted suffers relationship creates morals golden age 50s golden age science fiction genre ignored subject homosexuality according readership science fiction fantasy began age 1950s writers like able introduce explicit sexuality work late 1960s writers depicted alternative sexuality revised gender roles openly investigated sexual questions majority lgbt characters depicted man attempts portraying non met hostility wrote stories golden age science fiction emphasised importance love regardless current social norms short story world lost published universe magazine homosexual alien taboo human homosexual love portrayed tagline universe cover daring story sensitive treatment homosexuality unusual science fiction published time regarded milestone science fiction portrayal homosexuality according related submitted story editor rejected editor knew urged reject later write affair examined social published venus plus single gender society depicted protagonist portrayed images homosexual male societies remained strongly negative eyes authors example drives world away short story man published playboy begin minority wanting seed homosexuality required official employment treats aspect unnatural state affairs includes violent warfare failing natural world usually identified genre writer produced works surreal narrative estranged action ordinary world science fiction fantasy published works wild boys linked drug use homosexuality anti authoritarian activities new wave era 70s late 1960s science fiction fantasy began reflect changes prompted civil rights movement emergence genres changes incorporated movement called new wave movement technology liberated socially interested stylistic experimentation writers likely claim interest inner space instead outer space shy explicit sexuality sympathetic gender roles social status sexual minorities influence editors authors editor influential sympathetic depictions alternative sexuality gender multiplied science fiction fantasy commonplace introduction gay imagery attributed influence lesbian feminist gay liberation movements 1960s 1970s gay men visible presence community writers notable gay authors included authors imagined cultures variety gender models norm female man award winning story changed showing female lesbian society flourished men enormously influential largely responsible introducing radical lesbian feminism science fiction stated openly lesbian bad career sales similar themes explored award winning houston houston read presents female society extinction men disease society lacks male problems war women reproduce consider men comical bisexual woman writing secretly male pseudonym explored sexual impulse main theme feminist include left hand darkness depicts trans species sexuality individuals male female male female sexual organs reproductive abilities making senses bisexual language night collection criticism admits having locked omission homosexual option implies sexuality regret explores alternative sexuality works subsequently written stories examine possibilities allows non traditional homosexuality bisexual bonding clones lives sexual themes fluid figure works came prominence 1970s stories contain mentions sex love gay lesbian characters worlds suite stories novels humanity achieved ability change sex shown initially technology story options drastic changes relationships eventually norm society trilogy features lesbian protagonists characters degree bisexual openly gay science fiction authors earliest stories gay sexual aspect appears sensibility overt sexual references stories sex love sex intercourse clearly implied given kind protective protagonist woman involved person marriage men affection characters share forefront sexual activity directly described famous science fiction novel peoples large canvas characters wide variety sexual activity focus novel explicitly described scenes gay sex depicts characters wide variety motivations winning short story development human depicts people sexually oriented imagining new gender resultant sexual orientation story allows readers reflect real world maintaining distance award winning stories featuring gay characters semi precious stones follow collected short story retrospective stories faced censorship book distribution companies treatment topics later works gay themes increasingly central works attracting controversy line science fiction gay pornography series return novel major publisher deal impact aids later won william memorial award lifetime achievement gay lesbian writing big authors approached lgbt themes individual works time love main character argues strongly future liberty homosexual sex sex purpose remains held ideal female stranger strange land described mere male homosexuality work pity use sexuality discussed essay entitled science fiction writer publicly gay came occasionally poetry particularly novel major novels contained bisexual characters mosaic novel gay people referred republicans contrast straight democrats try write particular community gay don write gay literature authors depict positive portrayals homosexual lesbian bisexual relationships sex novels example novel leading characters including central hero engage sex relationships multiple occasions sex relationships depicted entirely normal negative consequences case series fiction generally particularly dancers end time series sexuality seen fluid based fixed identities gender roles openly lesbian science fiction fantasy writer written numerous works featuring positive gay protagonists chronicles novels won world fantasy award fantasy novels gay relationships cultural background included explicit sympathetic depictions sex love novel particular lesbian interest novel different light featured sex relationship men inspired lgbt chain different light magical lesbian tale woman loved moon won world fantasy award title story woman loved moon collection containing gay speculative fiction stories post pushing boundaries 1960s 1970s homosexuality gained wider acceptance incorporated conventional stories little comment helped growing number openly gay lesbian authors writers author chronicled progress gender change pages 1980s blatant longer considered acceptable readers depictions unrealistic continue straight men genre works 1990s stories depicting alternative experienced resurgence compiled authoritative guide science fiction literature featuring gay lesbian related themes book covers science fiction literature published 2nd edition providing short review commentary piece titular unlikely hero gay single gender world dangerous adventure alongside woman met presents future society homosexuality norm lingering world genre arising mid-1980s seen masculine large extent feminist interpretations critics lesbian writer written works prominently feature lgbt characters including award winning trouble friends shadow man having inducted scott reported reviewers called works gay mixing clichés political themes scott works contain lgbt themes said chooses write gay themes genres allow explore situations lgbt people treated better worse reality gives distance readers themes feel accused similar practices books number lgbt themed speculative short fiction published 1980s science fiction themed spirits edited focus particular sexual identities series titles fantasy magical horror twilight areas grouped particular genres award winning bending landscape series edited volumes focus science fiction fantasy horror horror oriented edited gay characters common tough guide contains entry gay fantasy cliché characters found works award winning herald trilogy protagonists gay magical powers relationships integral story takes places fictional country extended series provides non role models younger readers openly gay science fiction writer number lgbt themed works examines love time traveler gay alternate versions including female lesbian versions multi award winning jumping planet book young adult series father kidnaps sons goes moon son gay rejected college ineligible scholarship available straight people agree sexual orientation changed prevent received award semi autobiographical short story child gay man adopts child story later expanded book length feature film produced protagonist straight causing criticism wrote award winning novels short stories prominently feature lgbt characters protagonist child garden outsider resistance genetic manipulation enters relationship similarly lesbian polar bear lust follows gay man finds sexual fantasies coming true includes gay actor aids mentally challenged abused child linked connection wizard books film magazine interview claimed gay genre markets incompatible asked worst thing labeled gay writer said gay kills stone dead market came gay section stuff gay magazines didn point realized science fiction writer worse gay 21st century novel girl depicts lesbian relationships context corporate future novel features asian canadian characters lesbian relationships incorporating racial ethnic identity understanding speculative fiction girl engages ideas regards bodies characters able birth sperm eating fruit james award carnival single gender world pair gay male ambassador spies attempt infiltrate lesbian civilization rulers enslaved men statement character gay caused controversy novel published title daughters north matter features primary characters novel won award arthur clarke award telling evolution public perception sex relationships relationships noted reviews novel love describes century usa world homosexual author describes inverted world mixed sex marriages forbidden conception occurs test tubes lesbian families women carries child gay male couples turn mothers bring children term netherlands country mixed sex marriages permitted world intimacy opposite sexes rejected world history classics world literature order support ideology homosexual world author situation underlying story idea society tolerant accepting respect right person reviewing field lesbian romance speculative fiction concluded remained niche uneven quality mentioned contributors note recently teen fantasy novel character romantic feelings protagonist terms gender identity novel depicts world fluid gender self images gender include feminine masculine bisexual gay lesbian homosexual spirit lesbian fantasy debut novel queen curse amazon best seller series main female character sexual falls love lesbian character supernatural paranormal sexual species realm tie speculative fiction increase lgbt representation particular onwards effort explore licensed star trek literature star trek deep space post series novels following end eponymous television series passing line series certain species marrying allowed exploration species partnered broadly male female species novel time suggested character followed subsequent novels particular novel crimson shadow original series star trek vanguard created main characters lesbian vulcan officer lesbian intelligence agent comics manga 20th century gay relationships discouraged shown comics seen mainly directed children imposed facto censorship comics sold news stands united_states forbade suggestion homosexuality artists drop subtle hints stating directly character orientation overt gay lesbian themes found underground alternative titles carry seal approval came response innocent comic book creators accused attempting negatively influence children images violence sexuality including homosexuality claimed strength independence lesbian stated batman type story stimulate children homosexual fantasies recent years number lgbt characters increased greatly mainstream superhero comics lgbt characters continue relegated supporting roles generate criticism treatment gay characters receive marvel alpha flight major gay character marvel universe remains famous gay character mainstream comics created member original alpha flight superhero team sexual identity hinted early history issues alpha flight openly stated apparent lack interest women obsessive drive win ski champion character finally revealed gay alpha flight issue outing national headlines revived kid marvel max imprint introducing openly gay comic book character star magazine edition kid gay saga called according cnn article character sexuality conveyed indirectly comic style conservative groups quickly protested gay character claimed children corrupted covers carried adults label marvel policy stated series emphasizing solo gay characters carry adults label response conservative protests marvel editor chief claimed policy longer force marvel received best comic book award superhero comic book young included gay characters published mainstream book warning label despite protests marvel published issue married partner kyle draws criticism use stereotypes lgbt characters superhero debuting thought early example pink transparent costume writer penned thought balloons suggested involved gay relationship sidekick bodyguard hints moved modern example violent superhero batman like shown relationship superman like apollo time members superhero team authority apollo married adopted daughter gone star title draw widespread media attention announcing new lesbian incarnation known character openly lesbian minor characters police officer existed franchise addition true lgbt characters controversy homosexual interpretations famous superhero comic book characters batman relationship robin famously come scrutiny spite majority creators associated creator denying character gay psychologist innocent asserted batman stories psychologically homosexual claimed find subtle atmosphere adventures mature batman young friend robin claimed batman interesting gay audiences fictional characters attacked grounds presumed homosexuality 1960s series remains camp described relationship batman nightmare views character sexual urges crime fighting continue play homosexual interpretations batman notable example occurred refused allow permission panels illustrate paper family 1950s happened summer painter displayed number depicting batman robin suggestive sexually explicit poses threatened artist gallery legal action cease selling works demanded remaining art profits derived gay characters changed essentially erased new reboot given far attention reboot announced iconic character gay new universe revealed original character led fan outcry status iconic actually exist mainstream universe effectively meant gay character exist child manga known boys love girls love respectively west japan japanese genres homosexual romance themes variety media spread japan translated original available countries languages characters tend self identify homosexual bisexual manga anime fantasy environments common example 1980s light novel series described boys love genre involves science fictional system described wonderful sci series rely content appeal audience criticised stereotypical portrayals characters failing address gay issues presented issue plot device drama purity leads love suggested romance narrative having strong political themes turn readers critics state genre challenges style manga called typically written gay men gay male adult audience realistic themes likely acknowledge taboo nature homosexuality japan western commentators group writers fans consider separate genres film television general speculative fiction television film literature portrayals homosexuality sexual relationships major speculative fiction franchises generally depicted nature inter species inter ethnic relationships commonly depicted homosexual relationships characters rare film lgbt characters films began appear regularly 1980s films late 1920s early 1930s reflected liberal attitudes day include sexual references homosexuality 1930s film industry followed production code code spelled morally acceptable public audience references sexual homosexuality forbidden virtually motion pictures produced united_states adhered code similar censorship common countries example early version lesbian vampire film daughter film described closet presenting homosexuality predatory weakness rejected said daughter require half dozen languages adequately express horror author named daughter direct inspiration vampire fiction naming bar novel queen damned daughter honor film films produced censorship introduce homosexuality disguised controversy cult horror film stringent rules post film industry allowed sexuality open cinema sexually explicit 1980s particular aimed purely entertain exploring underlying sexual dynamics sex speculative fiction film merely intended review fantasy films identified pornography remained rare gay characters speculative fiction films horror films sex major continued censored perception lightweight vampires particular described obvious erotic metaphors result numerous vampire films 1970s strongly imply explicitly following inspiration lesbian vampire story hollywood vampire shown openly gay spoof film gay genre films remain rare science fiction films inclusion gay characters continues supporting roles stereotypical frantic homosexual minor character blockbuster independence day film main theme described anxiety surrounding male friendships homosexual panic interesting note film director openly gay curious cases like horror thriller film based works main character gay isn main thing important development character psychology film plagued monsters disturbing secondary characters gay lesbian shown victims saw light epic tom blockbuster featuring stories couple gay characters television lgbt characters began appearing television increasing frequency 1990s television science fiction introduced bisexual character relationship fellow female revealed season advocate magazine called relationship closest franchise star trek clone called come gay creature gay human continued explore state sex relationships future introduction male male marriage subsequent honeymoon cover main characters covert mission mars colony season warrior princess fantasy television series introduced main characters close companions fan speculation lesbian overtones led lesbian icons lesbian content remained level series cited trail breaking barriers allowing production subsequent programming introduced number lgbt characters famous major character willow partners kennedy praised healthy relationship lesbian relationship major characters prime time television criticised use metaphor lesbian sex death directly sex willow caused outcry lgbt community saw cliché recurring villain eventual ally strongly implied gay series influential subsequent television speculative fiction including series won number lgbt themed awards regarded groundbreaking portrayal gay youth british science fiction drama television programme long running doctor franchise began airing bbc series explores themes narrative particular lgbt themes characters portrayed sexually fluid characters series examines homosexual bisexual relationships nature sexual flexibility explicitly discussed characters offer varying perspectives orientation sun describing characters bisexual series creator said hopes audience expectations characters making political dull going bisexual programme want knock barriers define characters gay need start mixing things thinking gay character men davies described hole jack doesn people inclusion significant lgbt characters modern speculative fiction television series universal example franchise lack sex relationships long sore spot lgbt organised franchise protest failure include lgbt characters point statements later life favourable acceptance homosexuality portrayal sex relationships star trek franchise coverage remained star trek canon officially recognized lgbt characters television spin offs ran feature entitled prisoners prejudice characters star trek deep space gender identity occasionally treated issue new star trek series dealt theme individual episodes star trek deep space episode rejoined episode feature sex relationship romantic sex kiss women subsequently star trek franchise portrayed sex kisses context evil mirror universe emperor new body possession comedic purposes characters interview star trek screenwriter suggested reason gay characters existed television franchise wanted way support fans cast crew going difference recent years star trek novels comics officially licensed considered canon featured direct sex relationships including portraying minor canon character gay television series cove premiered cable station series included gay lesbian couples dealing supernatural situations coastal town following year premiered series series fictional town oregon consisted entirely included town café owner vincent happened gay hbo brought new series true blood forefront gay genre television introducing variety characters small screen including played played played played played played played space based science fiction feature openly gay character primary cast played gay character franchise primary lesbian asian american character primetime television storyline featured committed long term relationship earth bound partner played portrayal positively received lesbian community press cancelled season run series warehouse premiered cable network series later introduced character named played actor gay government agent assigned assist bizarre artifacts cable series prequel introduced titled series highlighted world sex marriage common central characters named played husband named larry played cable station premiered series human version previously released british series lesbian character named played actress introduced sister main characters year cable series highlighted gay ghost couple patrick played hbo cable station premiered based book series series included gay couple played actors mtv premiered cable series year characters depicted gay high school player named played american series main characters married sex couple main characters portrayed questioning sexuality falls love best friend episode hear characters shared believed youngest lgbt kiss television history following kiss developed romantic relationship slash fiction close male relationships television film science fiction fans slash fiction earliest example slash commercially distributed copyright 1990s published advent internet slash fiction community fans writers began cluster sites websites dedicated popular speculative fiction franchises files star trek common use characters major franchises gay readings caused legal action sent cease orders prevent gay star wars characters notorious attempts stop production slash fiction based characters characters bisexual canon slash fiction described important lgbt community formation identities represents resistance expectation compulsory noted gay community medium express feminist according polls slash women college degree demographics older fans tend easily disturbed slash depicting sexuality true popularity slash fiction slash fiction focuses romantic sexual relationships female fictional characters typically characters featured canon universe similar fan fiction lesbian characters commonly labeled convenience slash based male couples suggested female slash authors generally write rare find sufficiently engaging female characters main star trek pairing screen relationship deep emotional connection conflict debate canon willow vampire slayer counts slash relationship storylines ones authors fill gaps known relationship storyline relatively recently male writers begun writing reaction speculative fiction community long history tolerance lgbt people presence gay members noted attendees early conventions generally discussed idea gay lesbian members seek recognition community accusation 1940s editor gay members caused scandal fan circles prominent fan regarded members openly support gay lesbian movements known writing early lesbian fiction aided publication ladder journal recently formed lesbian group daughters claims group named honorary lesbian support written earliest work lesbian vice versa lesbian edited number works featuring lgbt characters increased visibility lgbt fans early gatherings gay gay friendly members community including meetings necessarily indicate hearted acceptance fan community gay lesbian fans regarded unified interest group informal gatherings conferences attempted creation newsletter lgbt fans drew little notice networking gay fans continued finally plan action led science fiction convention held subsequently creation science fiction community gay themed discussions staple conventions example featured panel discussing women write gay men 38th world science fiction convention boston discussion panel entitled closed open mind science fiction fantasy stories authors criticised lgbt community works opinions described lesbian science fiction targeted specifically lesbian audience science fiction fans published small feminist lesbian fiction presses crest enterprises ink notable author writing science fiction published lesbian presses lgbt speculative fiction awards number awards exist recognise works intersection lgbt speculative fiction spectrum awards honour works science fiction fantasy horror include positive gay lesbian bisexual characters themes issues awards instituted given best novel short fiction works previous year works produced awards inception eligible entry hall_of_fame literary awards include awards science fiction fantasy horror awards presented separate categories speculative fiction gay men categories merged combined award undergone changes awards given based quality writing lgbt themes author sexual orientation factor james award honours works science fiction fantasy expand explore understanding gender goes works deal directly gay lesbian bisexual issues literary society awards given works containing lesbian themes depictions lesbian characters awards given numerous categories including speculative fiction fantasy horror paranormal romance
LGBT themes in speculative fiction