So I had come to leave a review regarding the LGBTQ character introduced and saw there were an abundance of other reviews mentioning the same. However I had come to quite a different opinion then the majority of those who seemed to find it necessary to explain why their bigotry was the correct response. Honestly this is why I tend to avoid forums or other open opinion areas where people are free to attempt to normalize their own hatred or unease.
Anyway, with that being said, I actually found the portrayal as ignorant and ham-fisted. This is obviously some caricature of LGBTQ individuals with no real knowledge or attempt to portray the character as an actual person. I was concerned I would get a headache from rolling my eyes during every scene they were present. I don’t know the purpose of the character even was other then a jarring way to define more of the local culture of the planet. Building a deeper, more complete vision of the atmosphere and peoples inhabiting planet Ludus is to be commended. Using an offensive amalgamation of stereotypes to do so is lazy and tone deaf. I would of liked to say, “at least he tried’ but this obviously not the case, Credit where credit is due, the ability to offend everyone at once is impressive, if reprehensible.
As for the seemingly endless amount of negative reviews that exist purely to complain about the mere existence of queer characters, I find this to be troubling and sad. In their fantasy worlds homosexuals do not exist, people of color do not exist, those who do not specifically abide by their own thoughts to the letter do not exist. As fantasy often is used as an escape from our own world, to read that so many saw this inclusion as tainting their vision of escapism is heart wrenching. Given that there was no outrage of the existence of anthropomorphic animal creatures, one can only assume it is due to the humanity of the character that is being shunned. Had the author assigned this ‘role’ to one of those fantasy races, perhaps the idea would of been more palatable to some.
Personally though, the character is more effigy than acknowledgement, but I seem to be in the minority. Which is only fitting.