Characters Quote by John Scalzi
““In general there should be gay characters in YA because a) surprise, there are gay folks everywhere and b) in my opinion as a father, there’s not a damn thing wrong with my child encountering gay folks in her literature, because see point a).””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast discussion on YA representation, 2022
The quote argues that gay characters should be included in young adult literature because they reflect reality and pose no harm to readers.
In simple terms: Gay characters belong in YA books; they’re normal and harmless.
Key Takeaway
Include diverse characters to reflect real life.
Themes
inclusion
representation
diversity
parental perspective
Mood
thoughtful
supportive
progressive
Type
advice
social commentary
parental insight
When to use this quote
- school libraries
- classroom reading lists
- parental book selection
- author guidelines
- publisher policies
Key Concepts
LGBTQ+ visibility
social acceptance
literary realism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does representation affect a teen’s sense of belonging?
- What responsibilities do authors have when portraying marginalized groups?
A Different Perspective
Some may argue that explicit representation could clash with certain cultural or religious values.
![“I'm interested in gay characters - not trying to sensationalize gay characters, just [representing] who are in my personal life. I'm interested in exploring my world and my friends, and a lot of them happen to be gay.” quote by Jamie Babbit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/79a/jamie-babbit-50704_character_i-m-interested-in-gay-characters-not-try_1060402.jpg)
