As long as literature has been alive, so has the concept of intersexuality and homosexuality. Because the term is timeless, so is inclusion. Oftentimes, older stories, epic poems, and myths contain LGBTQ+ topics. From same-sex love to intersex individuals these concepts have always been around. However, just because we have seen it in literature before doesn’t mean that the LGBTQ+ community still doesn’t face misunderstandings and hatred. This article will touch on its appearance in literature, both in modern and past examples. It will also include why representation in literature is crucial, especially now.
Diversity Is Ageless
Diversity in literature has been around since the dawn of time, and that doesn’t exclude homosexuality and queer representation. Despite that truth, the community faces hardships still. When looking back into early literature, thousands of years ago, homosexuality and intersexuality appear in epic poems that come from Greece, Rome, Persia, and Russia, which contain stories and images of same-sex relations. In Metamorphoses by Ovid, an Epic Poem written about 2000 years ago, combining both Roman and Greek gods into one story, homosexuality and intersexuality are common themes. One story, “Salmacis and Hermaphroditus,” appears toward the end of the Epic Poem. Telling the story of someone who is both male and female, effectively defining intersexuality before the term was even coined. In The Iliad by Homer and Plato’s Symposium, a famous philosopher, both contain the characters Achilles and Patroclus. Both portray them having homoerotic relations. Stories like this have been studied for centuries, and people are trying to pick them apart when, in reality, that is just what was normal.
In modern literature, LGBTQ+ representation has appeared more often, as acceptance has grown. Stories containing these themes used to be niche. Smaller books for a smaller group of people. Only there was still the same number of LGBTQ+ people in the world now, as there used to be. The only difference is that some people are more comfortable coming out. While it is still entirely accepted, inclusion in literature is now more critical than ever. One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston is a story of a young woman named August who moves to New York City and finds a girl she can’t help but fall for, Jane. Only Jane isn’t where she is supposed to be. Simon vs. the Homo Sapien Agenda written by Becky Albertalli follows a closet teenager boy who might lose everything, including the boy he loves, due to a secret email falling into the wrong hands. Stories like the four send specific messages that will be touched on in the next part and contribute to the community’s history. They make it timeless.
Why Is Inclusion So Critical ?
Inclusion is critical because it can send a message to society. Literature has never been just about words on a page. Literature has always been about telling a story, teaching a specific lesson, and speaking on certain topics. Even in subtle ways, literature has been here to spread messages. Because of literature’s impact on the world, LGBTQ+ inclusion within books is essential. The Metamorphoses and The Iliad are thousands of years old, depicting even gods participating in same-sex relations. These stories were more normal then, the words not being coined yet, the feelings being natural even between gods. This type of inclusion is why it’s so prominent in literature; it shows a natural side to it. People who may fight with internalized homophobia can see these stories and know that it is natural.
Literature that includes these themes is now slightly different. Modern literature that includes LGBTQ+ inclusion like this is vital as it spreads awareness. Showing homosexual relationships in magical stories where a girl is in the wrong time gives the readers a sense of normality, that these relationships are normal even in magical stories. Showing the struggle of coming out, like Albertalli did, offers readers a sense of understanding. A feeling that they are not alone. Though many other stories provide these perspectives, it helps spread the awareness of struggles, showing those who may not be a part of the community what it is like. Inclusion like this allows the struggling people in the community to normalize these relationships as they should be.
LGBTQ+ Authors To Support
The stories themselves are essential, but so are the authors who give us LGBTQ+ representation. Without supporting them, we can’t support the stories. We have the two authors from above, Casey McQuiston and Becky Albertalli. McQuiston, who is queer themselves, has written multiple mainstream novels all circling LGBTQ+ characters. By their work going mainstream, the awareness they have spread is astounding. You can follow them on their website and Instagram page (@casey.mcquiston). Becky Albertalli has a similar story. A bi-sexual author who used her struggle of coming out and turned it into a story that went mainstreamed. You can also follow her on her website and Instagram (@beckyalbertalli).
Alison Bechdel is also another author who is worth following. A lesbian author, most known for her graphic memoir, Fun Home, as she deals with her discovery of her sexuality, and dealing with family issues. Her comics all contain LGBTQ+ topics, and even releasing a non-fiction graphic novel further normalizes the relationships. Bechdel has no website, but you can follow her on Instagram (@alisonbechdel). While there are many more to follow, it is also essential to research each author, no matter what they write. Supporting LGBTQ+ writers is what helps get more inclusion in literature.
Don’t Just Read the Books
Reading and buying books to support the authors is the first step to supporting LGBTQ+ authors, especially during times like these. LGBTQ+ representation and inclusion are essential and there are a few more things that you can do to help keep inclusion in literature. It is important to remember that our voices do hold power. You don’t need a BookTok platform either to contribute. You can share the LGBTQ+ literature with your friends and family. You can promote authors on your social media by reposting their posts. The smallest movements can create change, even if it seems like it won’t. Times seem dark right now, and books are here to take us away from this world, but they are also here to improve this world. Read the books, but also share them. You never know the power of your voice if you never use it.
While LGBTQ+ inclusion in literature has been around for ages, the messages it continues to send remain the same. The importance of each story and each representation holds weight for someone out there. Support the authors and raise awareness to help keep inclusion in literature.
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