At the GCLS Literary Convention in Atlanta June 8-11, I will participate in a panel for a workshop titled “The Other”.
“The Other†in Lesbian Literature
Even though lesbians are a minority group, we are also made up of a complex web of minorities within the group, for instance, by age, race, able-ness, trans/gender differences, and the way we address men and straight people in our writing. Come discuss what readers want to see and the ways that writers in lesbian genres can realistically portray the multitude of characters that make up our “Community.â€
Moderator: Amie M. Evans
Panel: Nann Dunne, Renee Bess, Paula Offutt, Lori L. Lake, Jane Vollbrecht
I feel honored that I was asked to participate. I just counted and there will be 65 writers of lesbian fiction and 8 editors of lesbian fiction in attendance. Can you believe there are that many writers? 65 writers who have been published, are going to be published, or are working toward being published in lesbian fiction. Wow.
As the time gets closer, I will ask for opinions on how you–either readers or writers–feel about disabled characters in fiction. In the meantime, take note of the people around you and what visible disabilities they may have. As you read a book, note if there are any disabled characters.
I look forward to our discussions, probably starting in early May, after the “Blogging Against Disablism Day“.