#like. i write queer stories (both fanfic + original work) but offline i'm not out to most people

[angelsdean]

this isn’t really directly related to anything but just something that’s been on my mind for a while which is. that it’s hard sometimes wanting to write abt certain topics or themes that you do have some form of experience with but also you don’t want to have to come out with a list of all ur past experiences and traumas just to be taken seriously or considered valid or “allowed” to write those topics like. this is an issue not just in fandom but in larger literary spaces that has cropped up in recent years with the push for own voices stories, which i def think own-voices stories are Very important and crucial !!!!! but. it’s done something to fiction spaces where people now play this game where they like demand proof that a person is Allowed to write abt certain things. and it forces a lot of writers into a tough position where they either have to out themselves re: sexuality, gender identity, experiences of abuse or trauma just to justify writing those topics, or else their work will be deemed as “not valid” or not real representation or whatever. like just using sexuality as an example but lots of queer stories might be written by seemingly “straight” authors who just are not out yet or are still discovering their own sexuality. i think we can both uplift explicitly stated own-voices stories while also enjoying stories that have been well written / researched but where the authors have not explicitly come out as having directly experienced such topics. i think it becomes really harmful when we become obsessed with policing who can / can’t write certain topics or themes and no one should ever feel like they have to come out abt anything in their lives to justify their creative works