Writing about lesbians when you’re not a lesbian

“I am writing a short story about a lesbian main character … and almost had it finished when I had a panic attack. I was at a conference talking about my story when a lesbian told me she would never take it seriously because I wasn’t a lesbian and I can’t know what that feels like. But to me that love is love and normal and just like love between anyone else except for that one guy back home and his sheep. I don’t want to do this wrong. I want their love to be the reason my MC survives this ordeal but I don’t want to offend either. What can I do?”

Notes

  1. whatgodzillasaidtogod reblogged this from professorbutterscotch
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  3. aimsme reblogged this from fuckyeahlesbianliterature and added:
    Maybe get a lesbian to read the story for you? Or a group of us. Just to make sure there’s no glaring stereotypes or...
  4. chuchuu reblogged this from malindalo
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  6. andyispoesizing reblogged this from fuckyeahlesbianliterature and added:
    Just this morning I was reading about how people with disabilities are often used as a narrative crutch by able bodied...
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  9. slinkster-cool reblogged this from fuckyeahlesbianliterature and added:
    That’s like saying J.K. Rowling can’t write about wizards cause she’s not one. I think if you have an authenticity about...
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