Go Ahead and Say "Gay"

We've entered an era where women's rights are eroding with chipping away at Roe v Wade, white supremacists are dampening voices of color with voter suppression laws, and Florida's pending "Don't Say 'Gay'" law will keep more kids in the closet.

In many ways, the law enforces the environment I grew up in as a teenager in the 1980s. Gay kids stayed in the closet, often not coming out until after university, or later. Few would have dared to confide in a teacher. 

Such a lifestyle rarely curbs homosexual behavior... it might delay it, it might create lifelong feelings of self-loathing... it might create a culture of drug and alcohol use, self-harm, and suicide... it might bury feelings do deep that they don't surface until someone is married with children, keeping their activity to illicit cruising grounds... but it rarely stops it.   

I suppose, the law will enable parents who don't want their children to be gay the opportunity to mess up their kids' lives... and keep their straight children in a make-believe world that homosexuality doesn't exist. I can't even begin to discuss the impact on trans kids and adults.

Excerpt from "Quickies" published in La Revue de LGBT BD and On the Romance Road. Colors by Matt Beaugrand.

 

Most of my work includes gay characters. My work recent work less so, as I have been encouraged to "diversify" and on one hand, I've grown as a writer as a result... but on the other, I'm sad I took my foot off that gas pedal.

So, as a reminder to you, but mostly to myself, a list of my work with gay characters: 

• Liebestrasse (OGN)—Phillip, Sam
• Sandwich Shop at 9th and Pine (comic shorts)—Tim
• Baby Makes Three (OGN, radio play pilot)—Trevor Kitten
• On the Romance Road (collection of comic shorts)—most characters 
• Stuporstition (screen play)—Clark, Joseph
• Saved by the Bell (TPB series)—unnamed couple in the background of every story I drew
• "Not Allowed to Play" (comic short in Vertigo's Strange Sports Stories)—Mike
• "LDR" (comic short in Marvel's Nation X)—Northstar, Kyle
• "Music/Boxes" (comic short in Oni's Hopeless Savages Greatest Hits)—Twitch, Henry 
  
• Cavalcade of Boys (TPB series) and its spin off OGNs Love is the Reason and Trust/Truth—pretty much the whole dang cast.
• Strugglers (OGN)—Tighe, Mike Hawkswell
• "Things Don't Always Suck" (comic short, short story)—Nate
• The Cupcakes (mini-comic)—the whole cast
• Mod Monsters of Marvy Manor (mini-comic)—Matt
• The Faggy Phantom (mini-comic)—Bruce
  
• Arche-Lady (comic series)—Astro-Boy, the Ant

I'm pretty embarrassed I didn't work an obviously gay character into Radio KNOW, but perhaps I will in the next draft. 

If you are struggling, I can say it does get better. There are people who can and will help. If you can, try the Trevor Project. Hang in there.