I’ve been doing some promo work for the anthology The Bear at the Bar (shameless plug there) about bear romance, and it’s gotten me thinking about all the shades of the LGBT rainbow – gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender people, questioning, intersex, bears, otters, drag queens, leather daddies, gym bunnies, and so many more.
I’m wondering if, of the three genres of sci fi, fantasy, and paranormal, is any one more suited than the the others for exploring the issues around the LGBT community? I’m not talking about having or exploring LGBT characters in these genres. I’m trying to get at the issues facing the community today: difference, acceptance, legality, and assimilation.
For me, in some ways, it seems sci fi, especially sci fi that extrapolates where society is going, might be best suited to tackle these issues, although paranorma, with its sub-genre of shifters and misfits, has often been used as a metaphor for LGBT rights (see True Blood).
So in your opinion, is sci fi, fantasy, or paranormal best suited for the exploration of current LGBT issues? or are all equally useful?
I’m voting for sci fi, but I’m willing to be convinced (or to be told I’m totally wrong in that contention, and why). :)