Posts made by gtiggerc

If it has fantasy and/or science fiction aspects to it, I'm probably in. And I'm not going to lie, if the trailer or the poster has a hot guy on it, I will definitely be taking a look, regardless of the genre to see if it will hold my attention.

Who watches certain TV series only because there is a gay, male character, even if their story arc is a minor one within the scope of the show? Which ones? What do you think of the show and their treatment of the character's storyline?
I am considering starting to watch Station 19 (US series) because of this. Anyone else watch this one?

I liked it well enough, as well. The huge budget cut that limited the use of effects pretty much killed it. Only really die hard superhero fans are going to watch a movie about super-powered characters that rarely use their abilities (or are shown using their abilities) because, well, what's the point? It sucks that happened.

Thank you!

And, what is the source of that kissing gif? I don't recognize the film/program.

I think it more often depends on the piety of the individual and how they understand the symbols/artifacts of their faith. I am a Christian who believes that sexuality, as part of the human experience, is an aspect of being "made on God's image" and a sacred activity, in its own right, whether it is casual or intertwined within a committed relationship. I mean there is a whole book in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) that is filled with sexual language. If I regularly wore a symbol of my faith, I would probably only take it off if there was a concern of it getting in the way or hurting someone. I don't, but that is how I would treat it.

That's not to say that this is a widespread sentiment, though I wouldn't know.

So now that it has been out for a while, what did people think?

I, personally loved it. While I get the comparisons to Brokeback Mountain and one reviewer's assessment that it was what Brokeback should/could/what-we-wanted-to have been, I think that it stood on it's own without any need for comparison. The source material for Brokeback never provided anything for the film to be anything more than it was. God's Own Country was endearing for what it showed. It well could have been a much longer film or even a miniseries to actually build the characters more and better flesh out their budding relationship, but the film, as it was, was beautiful and emotional and, in it's own way, honest.

@JerodParker:

Felt like those sad public proposals where the guy gets turned down (like Marty does at the stadium).  Simon THINKS he knows and loves Blue but he doesn't.  He put Blue on the spot there.  Forcing him to come out when we don't know if he's ready seems bad.  It's a classic happy ending but, that part kinda messed it up for me.  I would have been happier if it wasn't a public thing, that Blue decides to meet Simon without Simon putting it out there for everyone to see.

In the book, it is not a public spectacle as in the movie; so you would probably like that better. Blue does come out, and they do begin a public relationship; but it is done in a way that keeps it personal and special to the two of them.

I would think the same way that gay people of any other faith handle it. How one goes about interpreting their religious texts is a big thing, and it is possible to interpret or receive seemingly anti-gay texts in such a way that it is understood as not speaking directly to being gay or referring to a specific context that does not condemn being gay in the same way that anti-gay interpretations do. While Christian scholars have been doing this for a little longer, Muslim scholars have also begun to offer contemporary interpretations or understandings that are accepting of gay people.

Check out https://aarinfantasy.com/forum/ to get some titles. You might have to search for a lot of them that no longer exist there, but at least you'll have titles to pursue.

I still need to sit down to watch the finale. I've avoided reading anything that reviews it or mentions it beyond an announcement. All I know is that they promised another "orgy."

Speaking of the "orgy" scenes, does anyone have a favorite one out of the few that were done? For me, it's the first one because it felt the most "honest." Maybe it is because the whole concept was still really new to both the characters and audience. Or maybe because I lust after Will, and his orgasm was just hot . . .

I just wish that Netflix did a better job at promoting it, in the first place. I think that had it gotten better publicity, there might have been a better showing of numbers to help them decide that the cost was worth it to maintain the audience. I'm just glad that the fans' outcry was large enough to convince them to allow a finale movie . . . which I still need to watch.

Wow, seriously? No one responded to this? It looks as if herman and I are the only gay Star Trek fans on this site! I don't know if I have a favorite, but so far Deep Space Nine was my least favorite. I didn't even get past the first couple seasons. (But that just means I need to get to a point in the future when I will just binge it and see if my opinion changes, since there are so many who feel the absolute opposite.) Voyager is definitely up there, though.

I watched it because I am a superhero fan, and I wished that it had turned out better than it had and that it was given more of a chance to find its footing. I haven't researched it, but I thought I remember reading that the studio gave the show such a limited budget that they had to forego so many special effects that would have helped them be so much more. For example, they had to chop Medusa's hair, since they couldn't afford the affects, which limited the character and what she could do–which obviously affected the writing because they had to just make do with more human, which pretty much defeats the purpose of a superhero themed TV show that needs to have super-powered people stories. If you notice, there was limited use of anyone's abilities throughout the episodes that aired, and what little was shown was done in such a way that there was little need for many special effects.

Yes, the writing was pretty bad, but I think it had a lot to do with lack of money to actually be able to write better stories about Inhuman characters.

I'm surprised I haven't answered this question. I am gay and am relatively religious. I used to be much more so while I was working within church communities, but have toned it down since I left a conservative denomination and started being more active with affirming ones.  I still maintain my progressive Christian faith (with a hint of other esotericism) and practices. LGBTQ people of various faiths are becoming more emboldened to come out, while still retaining their faith, even if it might mean switching affiliations, or going at in on their own until they find or recreate an affirming religious community or family.

I think the general consensus is that the Beloved Disciple was John the Apostle. While there isn't a whole lot to support the theory, as of yet, there is limited scholarship exploring or proposing your thesis. I haven't read much of it, but it is an interesting query, along similar lines as the Old Testament figures David and Jonathan being in a relationship, as well as Ruth and Naomi (for the lesbians). I have even heard the proposal of the Apostle Paul being gay (and that the "thorn in his flesh" may have been his struggle with homosexuality, though that would be for an anti-gay argument).

If there ever were stronger evidence to support the notion that Jesus was gay, I am not sure exactly how that would change the traditional religious positions, but ti would certainly be a boon to the progressive and affirming side of Christianity. What little there is on the subject already is being used to provide some affirmation to those people of faith who also identify as LGBTQ. Even without it, queer theology tends to focus more on the "love" aspect of the gospels.

@karashi:

I think James Lear is what you want… mainstream author writing erotica under a pen name.  Some have more smut than others (I prefer the ones that are smut focused, YMMV) and a few are written in a 'pulp' style.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupert_Smith_(novelist)

I particularly liked The Palace of Varieties and The Low Road.

Here's The Secret Tunnel:  https://www.gaytorrent.ru/details.php?id=962f50311748ff3891a9ae0bfdf7895e079322f2eda8aff4

Let me know if you can't find others… I think I got mine from demonoid.

I've only  read one of Lear's books, and I found it to be much heavier on the erotica than the literary (might have been on of those "more smut" ones you refered to); but I have him on my list to check out further. I didn't know that Lear was a pen name for a mainstream author. Interesting to know. Thanks!

@mtl:

A couple suggestions - Alan Hollinghurst (particularly "The Swimming Pool Library") and Christopher Heim ("Hold Tight" especially). David Leavitt and Edmund White may not do quite as much sex in their novels, but they're decent choices. If you like your fiction a little grandiose and wordy, there's Harold Brodkey (I found him kind of insufferable, but I was a horny teenager looking for the sex scenes…). Also, the Australian author Christos Tsiolkas writes some moving and sexy fiction.

I'll have to look into Heim, Tsiolkas, and Brodkey. Leavitt and White don't quite fit, for the reasons you stated. I wasn't sure about Hollinghurst, so I'll have to revisit him. I read something of his long ago. Thanks!

@DCLXVI:

I've only read one gay themed novel… ever. It's Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman, and it's pretty sensual.

I have heard this is good. I recently got it but haven't read it yet. I wasn't quite sure how erotic it would be. Sensual may work, if nothing else. Thanks!

I have access to an audiobook version but not digital print.

I know that erotica and literary fiction are entirely distinct forms, but are there any LGBTQ-themed novels that actually blend these? I am looking for themed erotica that is well-written, with depth, and examines the human condition . . . or themed literary fiction with a heavy dose of erotic and/or sex scenes. Does anything like this exist? Any suggestions for books that fit or come pretty damn close?

I agree with those who make the distinction between affiliated with a particular religious organization and a set of beliefs. An LGBTQ person of faith would identify as both. Some of these people have removed themselves from institutionalized religious groups, some remain closeted within unwelcoming groups, and some live openly in affirming groups. Taking Christianity in the USA, as a an example, it would depend on denominational ties. There are some denominations that not only affirm LGBTQ people and welcome them within their walls, but go so far as to ordain LGBTQ clergy. I've met/known/worked with a number of such LGBTQ priests/ministers. The same can be said of a few smaller Jewish or Muslim denominations/sects.