Safe Spaces
This post was previously seen as my June column for Authors Speak, as my alter-ego Charley Descoteaux.
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about safe spaces. Not just lately—I’ve been active to varying degrees in the queer community since the 80s—but this year is the first time I’ve actually created one.
Safe spaces can take many different forms, whether they’re for readers of a specific genre or only a space where nobody questions the words anyone else uses to describe their orientation or gender identity.
Earlier this year I published my first novella with Samhain. Three days before they announced they would be closing. I was afraid my odd little book would disappear in the face of that big news. It didn’t, but I’ve had moments when I almost wish it had. My daughter reminded me I knew reviewers would rip it a new one and that I chose to go ahead and submit it anyway—for some very good reasons (which I’ll probably talk about another time). That is 100% true, and even as hard as it was to read some of the reviews I don’t regret it. Torque inspired me to create the Facebook group Rainbow Snippets and even if that were the only good thing that came from it that would be enough. It wasn’t, which is even better, but I still have the wonderful group of people who have made me feel safe sharing with them regardless of the pairing in my stories, regardless of the orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic of my characters.
Here is the group description for Rainbow Snippets. If it sounds like something you might be interested in, check us out!
Rainbow Snippets is a group for LGBTQ+ authors, readers, and bloggers to gather once a week to share six sentences from a work of fiction–a WIP or a finished work or even a 6-sentence book recommendation (no spoilers please!).
In this group you’ll find anything from romance and historical fiction to mystery and YA. The common thread is that every story’s main character identifies as LGBTQ+. The snippets could range from zero flames to full-on sexytimes, anything goes content-wise. The only rule is snippets will be 6 sentences long–one for each color in the Pride flag.
What kind of safe space would you like to see created?
Be honest, you never know who you’ll inspire!
About Charley Descoteaux
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