I don't think we're arguing against each other. By "sympathetic" I mean "compassionate" not "suitable for ABC's Friday-night lineup." Many portraits of queer characters by straight authors don't include a shred of empathy for their subjects, and no attempt to render us as three-dimensional human beings.
When they do, though, I'm glad. Best among straight depictions of queer characters, I think, are Alice Munro's and Margaret Atwood's queer characters, I think. The better class of shounen ai -- the well-written stuff -- is by people who are, apparently at least, straight. So it can happen.
But it's still a rare thing. e're either monsters or (increasingly) two-dimensional paragons who always wear suits, never have sex or kiss, and always have a word of wise advice for the main character (because we're almost never that person).
It's like how Indians went from being portrayed as the violent, monstrous force of nature to the wise noble savage -- nicer, perhaps, but still not human :/
As for your life, I can understand the fury and the frustration, but if you went to Mexico, we'd all miss you sorely :/
(no subject)
Date: 2005-11-16 09:57 am (UTC)When they do, though, I'm glad. Best among straight depictions of queer characters, I think, are Alice Munro's and Margaret Atwood's queer characters, I think. The better class of shounen ai -- the well-written stuff -- is by people who are, apparently at least, straight. So it can happen.
But it's still a rare thing. e're either monsters or (increasingly) two-dimensional paragons who always wear suits, never have sex or kiss, and always have a word of wise advice for the main character (because we're almost never that person).
It's like how Indians went from being portrayed as the violent, monstrous force of nature to the wise noble savage -- nicer, perhaps, but still not human :/
As for your life, I can understand the fury and the frustration, but if you went to Mexico, we'd all miss you sorely :/