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FOR WRITERS AND READERS: National Idahobit Day

IDAHOBIT

FOR WRITERS & READERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer J. Scott Coatsworth: Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia. So I thought I’d ask authors and readers what you would like to see more of – the positive side rather than the negative one. Please note whether you are discussing gay, bi, intersex or trans/gender fluid/endby characters and stories, and what you wanna see – the kinds of characters or plots etc that are lacking. Join the chat Graphic borrowed from IDAHOBIT Australia

VIDEO GAMES: Pink White or Blue Focuses on Gender Identity and Dysphoria

Pink White or Blue

Pink White or Blue is a new video game by Esmada Interactive that follows a young person as they navigate the world unsure of where they belong. In the narrative story, which features some elements of horror, you play a transgender person trying to cope with a binary world. The Game ‘You start Pink White or Blue as a feminine character in a beautiful country ranch, picking flowers and spending time with the horses that roam there. It’s an idyllic life, full of beauty and happiness, but you find pages of a comic book that tell a story of someone … Read more

FOR WRITERS: Writing A Different Gender

Gender

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Tracy Timmons-Gray: What are your recommendations on how to write a character whose sexual or gender identity is different from your own? For instance, there’s isn’t one kind of asexual or gender queer person; authentic representation is often very nuanced. What things do you recommend to try to capture those nuances when writing a character? What do you try to avoid? Join the chat

FOR WRITERS: A Scientific Basis for Gender Identity

crystal ball

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer J. Scott Coatsworth: Our news article today: https://pixabay.com/en/dna-biology-medicine-gene-163466/ Suggests that scientists may have found a group of genes responsible for gender identity. Whether or not it’s true, it brought to mind a question. How would this change things for transgender, enby and gender fluid folks in society? Pull out your crystal balls and forecast the ramifications in society, good and bad. Join the chat

Scientists Discover Genes That Could Be Responsible For Gender Identity

DNA - Pixabay

Scientists believe they have identified genetic variants that may play a role in gender identity, giving backing to gender dysphoria having a physical basis. This is the first time a panel of genes, including DNA, involved in the development of nerve cells and the manufacture of sex hormones, that could help explain why someone might experience their gender as different from what they were assigned at birth has been discovered, The Times reports. “It lends legitimacy, if that needs to be added, that transgender is not a choice but a way of being,” said geneticist Ricki Lewis. “I think people … Read more

FOR WRITERS: Alternate Genders

stock photo sites - pixabay

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer John Allenson: Have we ever discussed writting gender past male/female binaries? The Andorians in Star Trek have four genders. Alien Nation had three. The Left Hand of Darkness has androgens. How would we write alternate genders? This is a legacy chat. Join the chat Image by chonastock

ANNOUNCEMENT: Once Upon a Rainbow Anthology Volume 2

Once Upon a Rainbow, Volume Two

QSFer K.S. Trenten has a story in a new queer anthology: Your favorite stories from childhood have a new twist. Eight fairy tales of old with characters across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Coming Home by Jennifer Cosgrove – No one ever expects to be Prince Charming. Snow Fox by Sara Codair – Jealous Queen E’s attempts on Snow Fox’s life are trending. Deathless by Emmalynn Spark – Love means finding new ways. At Her Service by K.S. Trenten – Dancing to her true desire. Shattered Glass by Lina Langley – The resistance was never ready for this. Finding Aurora by Rebecca … Read more

COMICS: Pryde Force Fyve

Pryde Force Fyve

A team of queer black superheroes – and their unicorn – are fighting the evil forces that want to make ‘Transfransisco Straight Again.’ The Pryde Force Fyve is the team saving ‘Transfrancisco’ from evil mayor Ford Whyteguy McWhyteman. The story revolves around five, queer black superheroes, each representing a different part of the LGBTI community. With a huge range of different gender, sexual, and romantic identities – together they want to stop the newly elected Mayor from political party ‘Making Transfransisco Straight Again.’ By Jamie Wareham – Full Story at Gay Star News

An Openly Queer Loki in New Comic Book Series?

Queer Loki

Loki might be getting his own queer book. Mackenzi Lee announced on Twitter she will be writing a series of historical fiction novels that will focus on ‘popular anti-heroes.’ The first will feature Loki, known for being the adopted brother of Avenger Thor. Lee was asked on Twitter if the book was going to be queer: “Loki is a canonically pansexual and gender fluid character.” By Charlie Mathers – Full Story at Gay Star News

POV: Why Aren’t Queer Characters Simply Allowed to Be Queer?

Star_Trek_Discovery-560x280

When Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling revealed Albus Dumbledore was gay after the publication of Deathly Hallows, there was an uproar. She broke the cardinal rule — often attributed to Russian playwright Anton Chekhov — show, don’t tell. The theory is simple. In storytelling, don’t tell the audience what a character is like, or how a setting feels, show them through senses, actions, and feelings. By telling fans Dumbledore was gay, rather than showing us (even implications of his relationship with Grindelwald in the seventh book are a stretch at best), there’s a robbery of representation. What good does it do queer … Read more