We could all use some lighter news about now, right? Here’s a great quote from Batgirl comic writer Gail Simone—it’s in reference to her introduction of the first transgender character in mainstream comics, but it applies quite broadly to diversity in all kinds of media. It has particular resonance for me when I think about LGBT-inclusive children’s books.
Simone tells Wired of being at a comics convention several years ago and seeing the many LGBTQ fans she knew well: “And it just hit me: Why was this so impossible? Why in the world can we not do a better job of representation of not just humanity, but also our own loyal audience?
Simone adds that diversity is “the issue for superhero comics.” The comic industry established itself “at a time where the characters were almost without exception white, cis-gendered, straight, on and on. It’s fine — it’s great that people love those characters. But if we only build around them, then we look like an episode of The Andy Griffith Show for all eternity.”
Finally, she addresses an issue that I think has plagued many LGBT-inclusive children’s books. (Not that comics are just for children; I’m just thinking about her comment in relation to the non-comic children’s books I often review.) She notes that most comics readers don’t mind diversity, but do mind “stories that promote sermonizing over storytelling.” Her transgender character, Alysia, will be “a character, not a public service announcement … being trans is just part of her story.”
Would that more writers of LGBT-inclusive children’s books keep her advice in mind.
Go check out the full article for more, including key pages from the issue when Alysia comes out.