Question Home

Position:Home>Books & Authors> A gay book character?


Question: A gay book character!?
so i am a 13 year old straight girl, just to put that out there!. and one day i would like to be a writer, so right now i am in the process of writing a book, story, or w!.e u want 2 call it!.

in my book there is this girl and she hangs out in this place (sorry i don't want 2 be too descriptive and say what its about because it really doesn't have anything to do with this question) and she is friends with this guy!. but i want to make the guy gay, and possibly a bit feminine!. but not so stereotypical!.

now don't get me wrong, i am not homophobic or w!.e!. and i don't discriminate any sexualities and races!. I actually think gay people are kinda interesting and cool!.

but i am just wondering what characteristics i could give this character because i don't personally know any gay people!. i guess I'm asking how this guy should act, dress, talk, or look like!.

the main reason for adding this character is so i can add variety to my story and make it real!. I am very sorry for anyone who is offended by this question and i swear that i don't mean any harm to anyone!. i want my character to be Intelligent, caring and just friendly!. and if you think by adding this character i am making a mistake then ok i will get rid of him!. i don't want to offend anyone!.

and yes i am aware that there are gay people who act just like a straight guy, and i also know that there really isn't a difference except for their sexuality!. but i just wanted to see how i should write this story!.Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
One of my best friends in the whole world is gay, so he is what I always picture:

He is :

Skinny
Tall
Wears tight pants
Wears tight shirts
His hair is longish and he dyes it different colors, like right now its orange!.

His personality:

He is very outgoing
Very loving (gives hugs to everybody)
Humorous
Very self righteous in a way ( He stands up for gay rights)
Constantly out protesting
But he isnt so self righteous that he puts you down for your own opinion!.

This is what I think of, because he is my best friend and gay!. That is not the only way to view gay people, but I hope it helps you in a way to start forming a character!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Here's the problem: you're not looking at this character as a /person/, you're looking at him as a stereotype!. I know you're trying very hard NOT to do this, but it's extremely easy to do!.

Don't worry about writing him as a "gay character"!. If you build his entire character around his sexuality, he won't be seem real to your audience!. Even if you don't want to publish the book, writing characters as real people is good practice!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You don't know anybody gay!?!? That's hard to believe considering that 1 out of every 10 people is gay!. How about these two!?

http://search!.people!.com/TIISearch/peopl!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Read the Geography Club by Brent HartingerWww@QuestionHome@Com

Don't take out any character in your book!. It is about making you happy, not your readers!. There is nothing wrong with having a gay character or a straight character- a character is a character is a character!. Your own unique creation is meant to be special to you, and if your creativity is telling you to make him gay, go for it!. In terms of telling you what to make him, I couldn't really tell you- make him however you wish!. There is no set definition, you can make your character any way that makes you happy! Sorry I wasn't of great help, but please know that I would never discriminate against a book because there's a gay character in it!. People will always have negativity in response toward controversy, but it doesn't mean you should make them happy by tailoring your book toward them!. I know you're book will be great, however it comes out!Www@QuestionHome@Com

I know quite a few gay men, and they run the gamut from super-flamboyant to you'd-never-know!. In my experience people are people, there are all kinds and that goes for people of any race, ethnicity, sexual orientation etc!. In my novel the main character is a gay man but he doesn't have any stereotypically gay qualities!.

That said, make your character however you want him to be!. In order to make the point that he is gay, have him comment on a nice-looking guy, or talk with your main character about attractive men or something!. He could be fashionable, if you want to go that route!.

And don't apologize for putting a gay character in your story; fiction reflects life and you should write whatever you want!. The bigots in the world can deal!. : )Www@QuestionHome@Com

If you are starting out writing, you probably don't want to write about something that you do not know much about!. If you were gay, or a family member or friend was gay, it would be different, but you really should start out writing about things that you know more about!. You don't want to write about a cat or a fish if you have never owned one before (and I am in mo way comparing gay people to cats or fish)!. I don't mean to chastise you, but it's like when you start to ride a bike, you start with training wheels!. Do you get what I'm saying!? Www@QuestionHome@Com

Well I won't read it and neither will my kids!. Www@QuestionHome@Com