E.S. Raye

I know, I know. Last week I got a little political, and I don’t usually do that here. But I’ve got some bad news; I’m going to do it again–but only a little. And as I have been reminded lately, if “reading is political” (which it surely is), then writing is too.

The thing I feel compelled to talk about today is the fear I have for Gas Giant Gambit, and more importantly, other books that share one of its main elements:

Gas Giant Gambit features a female, LGBTQ+ main character. The story isn’t about that, but it is an important characteristic of Gus’s and it does come up to play a role in more than one relationship. And if I’m understanding the wish-list of many of those advising the next president correctly, that might be enough to classify Gas Giant Gambit not only as pornography, but also illegal.

Unequivocally: LGBTQ+ romance novels are not pornography, nor are novels of any genre that simply features LGBTQ+ characters living their lives. LGBTQ+ authors are not pornographers, nor is anyone else that decides to include an LGBTQ+ character.

And, to cap off those thoughts: no free society should be banning pornography made by consenting adults for consenting adults, anyway.

I have the small advantage of living in Canada, where Gas Giant Gambit, once published next year, will undoubtedly be sold without issue. But most American authors may not have that luxury. I fear for them and the struggle that may be coming.

This is one of the more “out there” policy proposals found in Project 2025, so hopefully that means it’s lower priority. Hopefully, they’ll be too busy fighting the bureaucracy and the opposition party to get much of anything done. We’ll have to wait and see, and lend our shoulders and backs where we can.

No matter what happens, it’s important to keep writing; keep telling the stories that need telling. Because reading really is political, and writing is a powerful political force.