It’s Pride Month, and while I love seeing the celebration, I’ve been sitting with a thought that keeps coming back:
It feels strange to see authors dusting off their one book with a queer character just for June, as if the LGBTQ+ community exists for 30 days and then gets boxed up until next year.
Every single one of my books—regardless of genre—includes LGBTQ+ characters. Not as token sidekicks or diversity checkboxes, but as fully realized people: Gay, Bi, Lesbian, Trans, Non-binary, Asexual, Pansexual… all with depth, purpose, and a central place in the story. They're woven into the heart of the narrative, not just the margins.
Do I shout that louder because it's June? Or should it just be normal to reflect the real world in our stories all year long?
The LGBTQ+ community isn’t seasonal. They don’t belong in a marketing campaign or a once-a-year celebration. They are our family, our friends, our neighbors—and for me, they are my characters, every month of every year.
Representation isn't a Pride Month trend. It’s a responsibility. ️
Happy Pride!