Live with PRIDE

Someone once asked me why so many of the characters in my novels fall are LGBTQ+, accusatorially, as though I was part of some “secret gay agenda.” My answer? Because they exist. There’s no better reason to represent someone in a novel than that people exist in this world. Art, in all forms, represents society in various ways, and it’s important that all of society are represented. Okay, I didn’t say all of that, but I wish I had, as that’s what I believe.

Art should represent everybody, and not just the mainstream. It’s the diversity of the world that creates the beauty within it. And why wouldn’t we represent everyone? The stories that we create, the narratives we tell, and the images we paint all become only more beautiful with such representation. Truth is beauty, and the truth is that we ALL exist, and should have our place in the collective history of society that art creates.

It’s no secret that even now, in 2024, we all have to acknowledge that rights for minority groups, LGBTQ+ included, are in the sights of one of our major political parties. This June, we have more of an obligation than ever before to make our voices known. We must see and be seen and make others understand that the history of indiscriminate violence against is something that we will not be tolerating. The future belongs to acceptance, and the past is behind us. Happy Pride to all!