Author Kitty Murphy writes: It’s June, PRIDE month, and as always, some of us born into the LGBTQIA+ family take to the Daily Pages to write about protests and celebrations. We use words like Justice and Discrimination. We make the point, as we did the year before, that everyone is Equal.
Love is love, right?
But there’s another word on the lips and fingertips of many queer writers:
EXHAUSTION.
We’re tired of protesting.
LGBTQIA+ Representation Matters
Surely by now, we shouldn’t have to point out to a bookshop that LGBTQIA+ representation matters not only in principle, but also to their pockets? Queer stories sell – look at Heated Rivalry! And every festival organiser already understands that only programming one type of person – one gender, one race, one sexuality, one ANYTHING – is both discriminatory and also, quite frankly, a bit dull?
For years, we’ve waved rainbow flags against a tidal wave of hate. We’ve smiled and danced and celebrated our Pride with companies both in and out of the Publishing World, folks who promise us an equal share in June only to divide marketing budgets without equality for LGBTQIA+ writers or queer-themed books. To bury our stories. To mute our voices.
We’ve explained that non-LGBTQIA+ writers might benefit from using sensitivity readers if they write a queer character. We’ve suggested that prize lists and media highlights might represent everyone.
We’re worn out, hearing thin opinions from a tiny section of society who wish our siblings harm, simply for being the people they are.
We’re done being angry.
It doesn’t help. The haters delight in our pain and nothing changes.
Councils cut pride budgets. Schools ditch inclusive books. Pronouns that were understood in Shakespeare’s time, are intentionally misread.
Pride Parades
This month, with or without the company rainbows, we will still be marching in Pride parades. We will protest inequality, we will write to those who are making terrible political decisions and ask them to reconsider. We’ll remember friends who have gone before us and we will honour their lives as we continue to fight for the rights of all LGBTQIA+ folks.
We will speak out against all injustice – we will keep at the stuff we’ve been doing for all these years – but we’d really, really, like this war to be over.
Thirty years ago, the queer community was abandoned by government and business. Media followed their blood-drenched suit.
We were isolated.
Left to die.
Still, we pin the red ribbon alongside our Progress Pride badges and we call to ears who refuse to listen, that we’re not free until we’re all free.
We are labelled as angry and yet, as shouters, no one hears.
Authentic, Powerful Books
With or without the support of those with the money and positions of power in Publishing, LGBTQIA+ authors will continue to write their stories. We will still write authentic, powerful books. Funny books. Silly books. Children’s books. Romantic books. Frightening books. Beautiful books. Terrible books. Brilliant books.
Our books.
LGBTQIA+-owned bookshops will continue to sell books. LGBTQIA+ agents and publishers will continue to work in our world.
We will continue because we have always been here. Not because of the haters, but because of the love.
And with or without support, we stand strong, together.
Love always wins, right?
But it would be really nice if we didn’t have to shout quite so loudly to be heard.
(c) Kitty Murphy
Kitty lives on the very westerly edge of Co. Clare, Ireland. She adores drag in all its forms and crime fiction in all its chilling splendour. Kitty is bi/queer. From a well-spent youth divided equally between the library and the LGBTQ+ scene, it was only a matter of time until both worlds collided in a flurry of fictional sequins. Follow Kitty on Instagram @kitty_murphy_writes.
You can read more from Kitty Murphy on Writing.ie here.
