There is barely anything left for queer POC because queer spaces are dominated by white queers--especially white queers claiming to be advocates for POC while speaking over our voices. And this shows in current diverse/inclusive stories
A thread.
A thread.
The most widely shared diverse stories generally focus on one or two marginalizations--ethnicity OR queer identity. This means I (and other queer POC) have to choose between a "black" book or a "bisexual" book
The real-life queer POC experience has no choice. I am always both
The real-life queer POC experience has no choice. I am always both
If I read a cishetallo book about the black experience, I feel isolated because I am bisexual and on the aromantic spectrum.
If I read a book about bisexuality and being on the aromantic spectrum, I feel isolated because I am black
If I read a book about bisexuality and being on the aromantic spectrum, I feel isolated because I am black
You're probably thinking about all of the queer POC characters you have encountered in various inclusive, queer media. But how many of those characters were created or written by queer POC?
White queer creators still benefit from white privilege. It is more likely that you will find a work created by a white queer creator than one created by a queer POC. White queer creators are still white--which also means they do not understand the POC experience
Being a queer person of color looks NOTHING LIKE being queer and white. Not just because of the intersection of race and queerness, but because of both of those things in isolation, and put together, and more.
It is an emotional mixed-bag that white queers cannot understand
It is an emotional mixed-bag that white queers cannot understand
This disconnect leads to many diverse books where white queer creators attempt to create queer POC, but end up writing a white character with some ""ethnic"" moments and a POC's appearance
This is why we need more queer POC creators. Inaccurate representation should not be the most *accessible* form of representation. We need more queer POC communities, more resources, and less erasure
If you're white and queer and wondering what you can do better: don't think you need to tell our stories. Help raise our voices instead of speaking for us. If you've done so in the past then apologize, move on, and do better in the future
I'm not trying to cancel anybody. I want better representation not only for myself but for everyone just like me. I want white queers to be aware of how damaging their portrayals of queer POC can be
I want people to stop erasing us and start helping us
I want people to stop erasing us and start helping us
Ryan started this awesome resource for queer POC creators as well, if anyone is interested. I meant to boost this earlier, but there's no time like the present
