Could this be considered homophobic?

I'm working on a story that features a couple gay/bi characters and some that are involved in relationships. The thing is,

• They are minor characters and focusing too much on their personal lives could cause the novel to go a little off topic
• It takes place in a setting where most of society wouldn't approve of it, therefore
• Very few people know about it

Because of this, I was planning on limiting it mainly to subtext (although it could get a tiny bit blatant at some points) Other than that, the relationships would be healthy and normal. Note: If any readers ask, obviously I'll comfirm their sexuality. But other an that it'll be there, but not outright staring one in the face.

I'm trying to include some respectful representation without hitting the viewers over the head but am I being unintentioally cowardly about the issue by doing something that could be interpreted as But Not Too Gay?

If there's no reason to make it the focus of the story, don't worry about making it the focus of the story.

You can rest assured that no matter what you do or don't do, or how you handle it, someone, somewhere, will find a way to be upset about what you did (or didn't) do.

I think that pretty much wraps up the thread.

(For the record, I, personally, would not find this offensive).

I agree with nrjxll.

^This.

Can't please everyone. Just go with your instincts on what is offensive or not and ask a few honest friends if you're really that worried.

Just remember about Death of the Author and you'll be fine...

What other people said, to which I will add: Write about it to your level of comfort and knowledge. With any touchy subject its wise to do basic research; for one thing stereotypes offend the stereotyped (whether or not they actually exist, people get tired of getting typecast) and for another your story suffers.

If you are nervous about a subject, don't go into too much detail.

With your specific examples, it'd make a fine sub-plot but don't go overboard with it. But Not Too Gay deals with something else other than what you're worried about, I believe.

EDIT: Read the trope. It seems to be largely a visual thing (there isn't a section for books). And leaving out the naughty-bits..well, there's a lot of good reasons for that in a story which have nothing to do with sweeping homosexuality under any rugs.

edited 23rd Dec '12 12:37:46 AM by drunkscriblerian

If the characters are minor and also hiding their sexuality from in-universe prejudice, then keeping it low-key is going to be a natural consequence rather than sweeping it under the rug.

For a comparison, consider minor characters who are straight or minor characters who are gay/bi in a society that doesn't have an issue with their sexuality - how much of their sexuality are we likely to see on the page?

Probably damn-all, unless your story is all about who is screwing whom.

Not seeing the full scope of their sexuality would not be a case of "sweeping under the carpet" or being "anti" their sexuality, it'd simply be a matter of it not being relevant to what's happening and the fact that they are not the main characters so we don't learn as much about them.

We may not find out a lot about their favourite foods or political affiliations, either.

Depending on the events of the story, you may not even see a lot about the sexuality of major characters. Perhaps it can be inferred because this one has a wife or that one has a male partner, but it may not be particularly relevant to the events of the story and therefore it's not being paid a lot of attention.

And that's situations when the characters are ones we see the most of and have no need to hide their sexuality - but for the most part, don't have to make it obvious every couple of seconds, either.