“You were talking about writing a story after TDA with gay protagonists, and I know that you can’t spoil anything (if you even have much plotted to spoil), but A. Do we know either of the protagonists? B. Are they both girls, both guys, or one of each (which would be a bit awkward)? — livepastyourlies”
—1) Two guys.
2) You don’t know either of them yet.
CeCe’s back in St. Cloud: Show her some love!
supportcece.wordpress.comOur sweet CeCe got transferred to Stillwater and back again. Please send her much love by sending her a letter, book or the good vibes!
Dear CeCe Supporter,
As was previously announced, CeCe was transferred to MCF-Stillwater, at her own request, at the beginning of March. She was enrolled in the Atlantis treatment program there, which operates in a separate unit from the general population. She was glad to be at Stillwater for a number of reasons, but was quickly frustrated with the program because of issues ranging from blatant transphobia in the program to the snitching culture that is fostered within it. We are unclear on the specifics, but she was kicked out and placed in segregation within a few weeks of being there, and received an additional 30 days onto her sentence as a disciplinary measure. After repeated pleas from her and her advocates to remain at Stillwater and be placed in the general population there, she was instead transferred back to St. Cloud recently. She remains in segregation.
We are still unsure where she will be placed for the remainder of her sentence, but in the meantime we are calling on folks far and wide to write to her immediately! Send her your love and let her know she is not alone, that we are all watching out for her, and that we got her back!
Chrishaun McDonald
OID#238072
Minnesota Correctional Facility-St. Cloud
2305 Minnesota Boulevard S.E.
St. Cloud, MN 56304
Keep an eye on this website, or sign up for our mailing list, for the latest information.
With many thanks and lots of love,
CeCe McDonald Support Committee
“Being part of the LGBT community, it was really inspiring and relieving to see you add a few LGBT characters into you CoB series. What inspired you to do so?”
—I accidentally deleted the name of the person who asked me this. For that I am EXTREMELY sorry.
These kind of comments are both incredibly complimenting, and make me a bit sad. I wish that there was no reason ever to ask me why I’d have gay characters in my books because they were reflected everywhere, and them being in my books wasn’t notable. I don’t think I did anything special by writing GBLQ characters — I just wanted to.
I have so many gay and lesbian and bisexual friends. My best friend is bisexual. My critique group has three queer members. My mother’s best friend, who I’m named after, is gay, as is my sister-in-law. When worlds and characters construct themselves in my mind, they have gay people in them.
A lot of my readers ask where all the gay characters are in books. They are out there —! and the best thing you can do to encourage there being more of them is buy and read books that feature them. That will show there is a market, and people excited and happy to read those stories. Here’s a good starting point to find them:
YA Books with major gay, lesbian, transgendered and questioning characters.
