Things I Hate About Warriors Fanfiction

Representation of Lgbt+ Ⅱ

One thing that I've noticed is that there's a growing number of lgbt+ characters in the Warriors fandom. Perhaps this is a result of the influential Mousedapple, who sadly isn't on Wattpad in the Warriors community, or everyone is simply growing older and more knowledgeable, this is wonderful! It's very good to see.

But there's still some issues.

Some sexualities are still underrepresented, and that's normal. As long as we work on combating this, awareness and representation will grow.

You'll notice that the first version of this chapter is about the lack of representation in warriors fanfics. But now this isn't an issue anymore. The majority of fanfics have lgbt+ characters. This is a good thing!

The problem is, only one type of lgbt+ representation is included. Lgbt+ is more than bi/pan/gay/lesbian cats who get with a cat of the same sex.

Give me aromantic cats.
Give me trans cats.
Give me genderqueer cats.
Give me polyamorous cats!
Give me poly/bi/pan cats ending up with a cat of the opposite sex!
Give me toxic lgbt+ relationships/cats, because being lgbt+ does not necessarily equal good.
Give me bi cats attracted to two genders aside from guys and girls.
Give me //shock//  straight cats!!

There seems to be some idea that straight cats are terrible! They're too common, they're boring! Straight cis female ocs in particular are treated as if they're a crime.

There is a pressure to have lgbt+ protagonists. In fact, I myself have felt this pressure and did it! I thought people would like Saving Sable, my fanfiction, more if I made Dawnclaw bisexual, when really I saw her as straight, or heteroflexible at the most. Later on, I can tell you that it really doesn't matter. Do whatever the hell you want! It's your fic. And Dawnclaw's orientation didn't affect the story at all.

This is horrible. If people treated lgbt+ cats like that, would you see that it's unfair? Yes, lgbt+ people need representation and have suffered through years of oppression and discrimination. No, putting down the group as 'boring' and 'common' who haven't gone through that isn't the answer.

I mean, lgbt+ is a minority! While it seems that /everyone/ is gay, that's probably because it's so glorified on the internet. There is supposed to be more straight people than lgbt+ people. That's why lgbt+ is a minority, you assholes.

It's okay to be straight, and it's more than okay to have straight characters. If people try to tell you otherwise, ignore them. They're shitholes. I don't believe that heterophobia is a thing, but there is a developing (negative, harmful) stereotype about heterosexual people that has been rising in this community. We need to shut it down.

If you want to have lgbt+ characters, do it!
If you want to have straight characters, do it!
Portray them equally.

Keep on having that wonderful representation. But eliminate the "straight characters are boring and overused" stereotype. And please include all types of representation!