Domestic Abuse Representation in LGBTQ Writing

Since February 10, 2014 I have been writing a fictional portrayal of young, gay man trying to get out of an domestic abuse relationship because I feel like queer fiction, gay fiction, needs to add more subjects and content, more diversity, to its wheel house, to represent those who are not normally represented.

It's not a popular subject.  I can understand why people don't want to talk about it.  It's frustrating.  It's real and it can be disturbing for people who never experienced it because it is closer than the boogeyman or some monster in a horror movie.

Sometimes the closest I got to finding some kind of representation of the topic was in bdsm erotica, novels trying to deal with PTSD and trauma. While I appreciate these efforts I worry that the intention is muddled by the other content, not maliciously but incidentally.  For some those subjects are even closely related as they equate bdsm with domestic abuse.  I don't equate the two and in my personal life and fictional portrayals look to define the two as separate subjects.

My story line is post break up, post abuse, and I consider other characters besides the subject of the story line (Josh), like Spencer who let's him move into his apartment and develops a crush on the recovering character.  In one part natural attraction and another it is about 'coming to the rescue', a sort of paternalistic urge, especially given their difference in age.  And yet Spencer is terribly insecure with his own past and troubles. 

Can they overcome their fears?  Will they endure?  And can they depend on their friends for support?

insidethebeltwaygayfiction.blogspot.com

New Character, New Romance - Inside the Beltway

In this week's post to Inside the Beltway I am introducing the character of Josh who is trying to get out of an abusive relationship with another man. He is welcomed by the guys and taken in by Spencer who has his own apartment, and although Spencer spends a lot of time with the guys he also likes his alone time and a new roommate doesn't really allow for that... but maybe there is also some kind of connection?

While I am not looking to get into the graphic depiction of abuse I feel, know, the scars of trauma can be painful and want to treat it with respect.

The issue was one I didn't think about much as a younger gay man and I haven't yet seen it portrayed or talked about much.  Was it in L Word? I only saw a few episodes of that show which I thought was great but never got around to collecting.

But I digress, Josh, domestic abuse, healing, and maybe a little romance will be in the mix. I have posts for the next three weeks and leads for several more to flesh it out so I hope you check it out and stick around.

http://insidethebeltwaygayfiction.blogspot.com/