Hello everyone, representation in media is important especially for the Lgtbq+ community as it helps us be normalized and accepted. However film and tv isn't the only important place Lgtbq+ representation needs to be. People read and learn from literature so its important representation is there too. All art forms have the power to normalize the Lgtbq+ community and humanize us. In this post I'm going to give a brief explanation about the Lgtbq+ Book Club I'm starting and how it will work. After that I'm going to be talking about a book that I read with LGTBQ+ rep in and tell you if its worth it.
What Is LGTBQ+ Book Club
Lgtbq+ Book Club will be a chat to discuss all things literature and what books with lgtbq+ rep you've been reading. If the chat becomes inactive I'll try again before just sticking to interacting with you with these blogs. Apart from the group chat I will also have a wiki where you can share your posts if you want to post reviews of LGTBQ+ books you've read. The wiki is not only intended to hold my posts it's also intended to hold your posts if you wish to participate. My posts will talk about the Lgtbq+ Books I've read and I will also share my TBR list of the books with LGTBQ+ rep that I want to read.
The aim of doing this Book Club is to allow people to talk about the Lgtbq+ Books they love and to be able to share them with other people who are looking to see themselves represented well in literature. It's also a safe space like this amino to allow you to express your opinions without being called woke or getting any other kind of hate thrown at you. People should be able to read what they want to read without being judged.
Now its time to talk about the first book that I read that had Lgtbq+ representation unexpectedly.
Lgtbq+ Representation In Books: Star Wars Aftermath
What Is The Book About?
Star Wars Aftermath is the beginning of a book trilogy that takes place after the film Return Of The Jedi. It focuses on the aftermath of the events of that film and the consequences of the Empire's defeat on Endor. It focuses on Nora Wexley trying to find her son Termin Wexley and get him off Akiva. Unfortunately Wedge Antilles being captured by the Empire and the discovery that the remnants of the empire are on Akiva changes plans and together she'll team up with her son, Sinjir a former Imperial Loyalty Officer and Jas a Zabrak Bounty Hunter.
Where is the LGTBQ+ rep in the book?
Well although they are only side characters I still find it a significant step that Star Wars are starting to introduce Lgtbq+ characters in their media more. Sinjir the imperial loyalty officer is confirmed Gay in an awkward scene where we comes out to Jas. Although not my favourite character I still really enjoyed his character.
The other characters are very minor and are Nora's sister Esmelle and her wife Shirene. These two were written very poorly and I didn't enjoy them in the book at all. If you want to see Lesbian Aunts written well I'd recommend watching Mlp. I just couldn't connect with them and we didn't get much development from them.
Since Esmelle and Shirene were very minor characters I'll talk about them first.
Esmelle And Shirene.
Its great to see Lgtbq+ couples casually in media but these two were literally only there to progress the Straight Woman and Mans plot. Their both portrayed very negatively since it's from Nora's perspective and get demonized for the fact they didn't look after Nora not to mention her sister just lectures her for ditching her son to fight in the rebellion and look for her husband. If we had more time with Esmelle like we did Termin I would have loved her and called it good rep but it really isn't. If your gonna add Lgtbq+ rep at least give the characters depth. I wish I could meet Wending and ask him what he was thinking. There seems to be a trend of writing Lgtbq+ characters and not giving them depth.
Sinjir
Sinjir although not written perfectly had alot more depth than Esmelle and Shirene. His journey from former imperial to rebel was rather interesting as he bonded with the crew and came to with the fact that the empire abandoned him. I was honestly surprised when he came out but it worked well mostly.
Wending had a very heartfelt coming out scene between Sinjir and Jas before he ruined it by making Jas make a very inappropriate joke. The joke was a stereotype the community is often put in, whilst harmless at the surface and could be interpreted as Jas not understanding it was not needed. If you want to represent the community it's absolutely necessary to not put us into stereotypes. Apart from that I really enjoyed his character and hope he gets more focus on him in the rest of the Aftermath trilogy but after this book I've heard he's not in the series much which is typical.
Rating Of Rep/Overall Thoughts
For all you Star Wars fans out there please tell me there's way better and much better written Lgtbq+ representation in other book as this book really disappointed. It felt like Wending was trying to get brownie points rather than give the community authentic rep. If he hadn't ruined Sinjirs coming out scene then I wouldn't have been put off as much.
Hopefully we get more of Sinjir but I have very low hope.
However I'm sure there's better Lgtbq+ representation in other books as I've heard the High Republic has some great LGBTQ+ rep.
Focusing back on Aftermath I'd probably give the rep three stars. He tried but he didn't try hard enough, he should have consulted an Lgtbq+ writer.
Conclusion
Well I hope you have enjoyed me sharing my thoughts on recent Lgtbq+ representation in read and my introduction to LGBTQ+ Book Club. If you want to share your own book recommendations and reviews use the hashtag #LGTBQBookClub
-Melody-
They/Them
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