A Rainbow Curves Across the Universe: LGBT+ Heroes in Fantasy and Sci-Fi Literature
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Goodbye all rainbow colors and galactic dreamers! Pride month is here again, and to celebrate, we've decided to turn our eyes to the skies—or, more accurately, to the infinite universes of sci-fi and fantasy literature filled with LGBT+ characters and themes. Join us on a journey where we explore how the rainbow curves through our literary galaxies!
Terry Pratchett, that beloved master of fantasy literature, once said, "Fantasy is not just a handler of the unreal; it is an unusual handler of the real." And what could be more real than love, passion and identity?
LGBT+ heroes in the sci-fi and fantasy world are incredibly diverse and complex. Their stories reflect the challenges, joys and struggles of our own time, but at the same time they also offer the opportunity to see them in new and often fascinating lights. These characters allow us to imagine worlds where sexual orientation or gender identity may be a celebrated part of society, or where they may not matter at all.
For example, "Every Day" by David Levithan offers readers a new way of seeing gender and sexuality. Its main character, named A, wakes up every morning in the body of a new person, and thus experiences many different lives of gender and sexual minorities. This book questions what we should consider "normal" and how we define love and identity.
And who could forget Octavia Butler's character, Lilith Iyapo, from "Dawn"? Known for her ability to create incredibly diverse and interesting characters, Butler creates Lilith as one of the most complex and significant LGBT+ heroes in science fiction. Lilith's struggle to understand her own identity and sexuality in a strange and new world is strong and thought-provoking.
However, it's also important to remember that you don't have to travel far across the galaxy to find great LGBT+ characters. There are many from Sir Terry Pratchett's "Discworld" series, such as Lt. Cheery Littlebottom, who breaks dwarven gender norms and fights bravely to be herself.
As we see, LGBT+ characters in science fiction and fantasy can be inspiring, challenging and give us new perspectives. They are heroes and role models who are not afraid to be themselves. Happy Pride Month everyone - and remember, the rainbow never ends, it just keeps on arcing across the universe!
Terry Pratchett, that beloved master of fantasy literature, once said, "Fantasy is not just a handler of the unreal; it is an unusual handler of the real." And what could be more real than love, passion and identity?
LGBT+ heroes in the sci-fi and fantasy world are incredibly diverse and complex. Their stories reflect the challenges, joys and struggles of our own time, but at the same time they also offer the opportunity to see them in new and often fascinating lights. These characters allow us to imagine worlds where sexual orientation or gender identity may be a celebrated part of society, or where they may not matter at all.
For example, "Every Day" by David Levithan offers readers a new way of seeing gender and sexuality. Its main character, named A, wakes up every morning in the body of a new person, and thus experiences many different lives of gender and sexual minorities. This book questions what we should consider "normal" and how we define love and identity.
And who could forget Octavia Butler's character, Lilith Iyapo, from "Dawn"? Known for her ability to create incredibly diverse and interesting characters, Butler creates Lilith as one of the most complex and significant LGBT+ heroes in science fiction. Lilith's struggle to understand her own identity and sexuality in a strange and new world is strong and thought-provoking.
However, it's also important to remember that you don't have to travel far across the galaxy to find great LGBT+ characters. There are many from Sir Terry Pratchett's "Discworld" series, such as Lt. Cheery Littlebottom, who breaks dwarven gender norms and fights bravely to be herself.
As we see, LGBT+ characters in science fiction and fantasy can be inspiring, challenging and give us new perspectives. They are heroes and role models who are not afraid to be themselves. Happy Pride Month everyone - and remember, the rainbow never ends, it just keeps on arcing across the universe!