Discussion: Gay Protagonists in YA

Hi, guys! It's been awhile, and it's been even longer since I've done a discussion post(like, literally probably a year ago). Just by reading the title of this post, you're more than likely preparing yourself for harsh words or something, since this topic can be quite controversial(the bookish community is almost always great about it though). But I just want to clear that right up: I fully support gay rights!


Okay, now that I've got that out of the way, onto the actual discussion.
I have never, ever, ever read a book with gay male protagonists or female lesbian protagonists. "gasp"

I know, I know how horrible that makes me as a blogger; I should be exploring as many different perspectives, genres, etc that the YA category has to offer! But hear me out. I have of course read books with lesbian/gay side characters(see Unspoken and more that I can't think of at the top of my head), but, for some reason, I'm hesistant to read books with a female(or gay male protagonist, but since I mainly like to read from a girl's perspective...bash me for being discrimative, there, if you like)lesbian protagonist. I know, it sounds like I do not support LGBT rights, but that was the purpose of me clarifying it in the beginning...so no one would immediately start getting defensive.

The reason why I'm hesistant to read lesbian perspectives? It was hard for me to pinpoint the exact reason, and I still haven't found one, main reason, but I keep coming back to this...I feel as if I'm afraid that I won't like reading from a lesbian or gay characer. And then I'll feel horrible, because if I didn't like a gay character, I won't deserve to call myself a LGBT advocator. But, what I've realized(I've had this discussion post circling in my brain for months, I kid not), is that it doesn't matter if I end up not liking a gay or lesbian protagonist. Because it's okay to hate characters! I hate characters in books and TV shows all the time. Even if I hated a lesbian character, it probably wouldn't be because they're lesbian orgay; it would probably be because I didn't like how the author illustrated the character. So, therefore, by the end of the year, I will be amending the statement "I haven't read a book with LGBT protagonists." to "I have read multiple LGBT books with lesbian or gay protagonists!"

These are some books I hope to tackle:
  

  



These are less than half of the books I want to read, but I shortened up the list to some of my most anticipated books!

How about you? Do you recommend some of these books? Do you feel I should be bashed for not ever having read from a LGBT perspective?

 

Cover Reveal: The Trials

Hi, I'm excited to show you guys this fantastic cover today, but first, the summary(keep in mind since this is the 3rd book in the series, the synopsis will contain some spoilers)!

Summary:
After being on the run, Ariane Tucker finds herself back where she started—under the cruel control of Dr. Jacobs, head of the research facility that created her. Now she must participate in the upcoming trials; a deadly competition pitting her against other alien hybrids, each representing a rival corporation. 

But Ariane is no one’s weapon. She is prepared to die if it means taking down those involved in Project Paper Doll. They destroyed all that she holds dear, including Zane Bradshaw, the one person she trusted and cared for the most—the person she was forced to leave behind, bleeding and alone. 

As her plan takes shape Ariane will need to depend on, now more than ever, the other side of her heritage—the cold, calculated instincts born from her alien DNA. With Zane gone she has nothing left to lose.

With heart-pounding action, and plenty of surprises, the gripping conclusion to Stacey Kade's Project Paper Doll series delivers a powerful finish that will keep fans hooked to the very end.

And now...


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I love it, and I hope you do too! If you haven't started this series yet, you should start it ASAP.

Giveaway:

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