Update

Introduction

Hey there, you’re probably just as shocked as I am
that I updated this blog (assuming you’re not a spammer, in which case welcome
to the new improved blog. But more on that in a minute).

The
Road so Far

When I started this blog, I had no idea what I
wanted to write about or even what type of writer I wanted to be, and consequently
posted any old thing on here. To disastrous effect, I might add.

However, the thing is, I’m not a professional
blogger, nor do I want to be. My interests lie in fiction and creative
nonfiction, and that’s what I’ve been busy writing over the past few years.

However, I need to build an author platform, a part
of which is this blog. So rather than half-ass things by posting a bunch of
shit I’m not interested in writing and you’re not interested in reading, I want
to post quality stuff that I’m passionate about and which I hope you’re
passionate about, too.

What’s
Next?

 Here’s my
game plan going forwards. Fiction and creative nonfiction will still be my jam,
but I’ll post at least once a week on Wednesdays.

What
to Expect

I’m passionate about geeky queer stuff and diversity
in the media, so you can expect reviews of books, movies, video games, comics,
animated films, manga, and anime.

You’ll also find 
posts about writing and writing related stuff such as snippets from my
works-in-progress; characters sketches, aesthetics, and play lists; short
stories, poems, and essays.

Call
to Action

If this sounds like a blog you’re interested in following, click here to sign up for my mailing list, or you can follow me on Twitter

Thanks for reading this and have a Happy New Year!

Rainbow Revolution

If you’ve read m/m fiction online chances are you’ve come a cross a disturbing trend wherein these characters have no self esteem and never stand up for themselves, unless it’s to defend their perfect boyfriends. I’ve written about this subject before, however today I want to discuss A particularly insidious brand of these stories, namely the stories where the main character(s) internalize homophobic ideas. Straight Acting this character is based on the assumption all homosexuals are effeminate, drag queens with rainbows shooting out their assess. They engage in activities associated with heterosexual males and are “Straight” except in the bedroom. The problem with theses characters is they reinforce the archaic notions of gender roles while conflating sexuality with gender. Big Man On Campus The BMOC centers around a “straight” character who is the quintessential Alpha Male, yet questions his sexuality once meeting the new effeminate gay guy. The problem with this is it feeds into the fallacies that people can choose their sexuality and that LGBTQ folks are out to “convert heterosexuals to their life style.” It also shares the same problems with Straight Acting. While people discover their sexuality at different times of their life they don’t suddenly go from one end of the spectrum to the other over night like in these stories. Nor do they jump into relationships right off the bat. This discovery process varies and then there’s the adjustment period before you become comfortable admitting it to yourself, let alone others. The Sub Let me start out by saying whatever two more consenting adult do in their bed is their business. However with him it’s all about being humiliated. He has such a low opinion of himself, due to internalized homophobia, he doesn’t just get off on being treated like a piece of crap, he believes he is crap. He seeks out being humiliated and if events like being gang raped or stomped by the football time happen then all the more better because he deserved it. These tropes are a statement on the mind set of LGBTQ folks in America and elsewhere. While the march for marriage equality continues there are still issues of mental health and well being that aren’t being addressed. People of color in the gay community struggle with homelessness and violence at higher rate than their white brothers and sisters, and often times can’t come out for fear of losing their home and violent reprisals from those in the black community and the larger society. And then there’s the racism within the LGBTQ community that gets ignored or denied even exists. There’s also the up tick of new infections of young gay/bi white males based on the belief HIV/AIDS is no biggie because you take a few pills and you’re good which leads to a culture where one’s status doesn’t matter so why be truthful about it if it means not hooking up with that cutie in the corner. Then there’s the culture of drugs and sex that often go hand in hand at the clubs and circuit parties where people let strangers bareback them on the say so he’s clean. Maybe if we spent half the time on these issues as marriage equality the community wouldn’t be so fucked up. I don’t know? Maybe it’s time for another revolution in the same vein as Stone Wall, this time pushing for the issues above. Who knows maybe in another decade or so things will change and we’ll be talking about people coming out as straight since being LGBTQ has become the new normal. You tell me.