Lesbianism as plot device is a problem one often sees in the media, and in books as well.
Some of the most offense and homophobic depictions of lesbians and lesbianism that I've ever read were by Patricia Cornwall, who herself identifies as lesbian. However, I suppose some of the problem in that case is simply that the writing is so sheerly, amazingly bad.
I think your point about not putting queer relationships on the same par as straight relationships comes in to this somehow, whether it's through hidden self-homophobia or simply through writers who are not "permitted" to show them as being in the same light.
Another part of the problem is the way our culture sexualizes and exotifies such relationships.
no subject
Some of the most offense and homophobic depictions of lesbians and lesbianism that I've ever read were by Patricia Cornwall, who herself identifies as lesbian. However, I suppose some of the problem in that case is simply that the writing is so sheerly, amazingly bad.
I think your point about not putting queer relationships on the same par as straight relationships comes in to this somehow, whether it's through hidden self-homophobia or simply through writers who are not "permitted" to show them as being in the same light.
Another part of the problem is the way our culture sexualizes and exotifies such relationships.