If you've read m/m, you've likely read at least one of these stories. There's this guy who thinks he's straight, been living as straight, then he meets Mr. Right and lo, the angels of buttsecks visit and--aaaaahhhhhhh!--he's no longer straight. There are variations to the theme. Sometimes he continues to see himself as not gay and only sleeps with Mr. Right because... well, he's Mr. Right. More often he embraces his new found sexuality and wonders what he ever saw in the penis-less sex. Many times, especially these days, there's a paranormal reason to the story. See, our hero doesn't know he's a witch/wereanimal/demonspawn but when he meets Mr. Right, all that changes. He's still not gay, you see (well, sometimes), but now that he's met his mate... well, what can you do?
I've heard lately that many people don't like the "gay for you" stories. It's completely understandable. It is kind of hard to believe when you look at things from a logical real life perspective. How many grown men just suddenly find out that they're gay because they meet the right guy? How many are happy about it? Realistically speaking, a guy should have an inkling that he's gay, even if he's in denial. And if he is in denial, suddenly having it thrust in his face probably isn't going to turn out pretty.
Well, I'm guilty of writing gay for you and I have to say that I like it. I've got 5 GFY heros: Tyler from Heaven, Darien from Faith, Kyle from Snagged, Aaron from Tech Support and now Scott from Unicorn. (and what is it with me and 1 word titles anyway?). I, personally, like the dynamic. I think it's the sappy romantic in me. Or maybe it's the yaoi fan. I like the meeting of Mr. Right and BLAM, an attraction that can't be denied. Of course, look at the Mr. Rights: Johnnie, Chris, Seth, Ki and Jack? Dang, I'd go gay for them if I was a guy. And I will fully admit that I rarely deal with all the implications. All of my guys go through their period of angst then end up pretty happy with their Mr. Rights. But then, I write fantasy. An idealized world, a world that I can control. A world where even if someone is messed up, love and lots and lots of hot sex can conquer all.
As with all my writing, I write about what CAN be, not necessarily about what is.
7 comments:
This is my guilty pleasure. I LOVE these GFY stories. I've read all the books you have written with this storyline, Jet, and several others by other authors.
I *know* it's not real life and that it really annoys some readers, but as you say, it's fantasy - like a lot of romance.
I think your closing sentence says it all, Jet. Women, at least, like to read and write about what can be, not necessarily what is. Without that "can be" factor, would there even be a romance genre?
Besides, it isn't entirely out of the realm of possibility that GFY exists in real life. It doesn't necessarily mean a man is denying his sexual orientation, it just means a particularly intense sexual and/or romantic attraction "outed" him more suddenly than would normally have been the case . . . if, that is, he'd ever been inclined to out himself at all. And if that attraction translates into abiding love, then it definitely becomes a case of GFY.
As one of my characters puts it, "The right person could yank you, hard, in one direction or the other. Whether you wanted it or not."
Good post!
Jenre: Thank you! Fantasy is a lovely thing :)
KZ: Well said and very true. Your character sounds like someone I'd like
I'm another guilty of GFY situations.
IMO, love finds you where it will, and love is a many splendored, and fluid, thing.
Maybe it's time for a change in perception where we realise that our sexual identities also have fluid properties?
I'm all for that, Anne!
I'm way late to this party, but I'll answer anyway.
I know GFY isn't the most realistic scenario, but it's one of my favorites and I'm more than willing to suspend disbelief for these stories when they're done well.
I have a hard time when the straight dude has never even found another guy slightly attractive and then suddenly wants a dick up his ass for no good reason. That's kind of jarring.
I like a little bit of angst with this storyline. Some apprehension, some "yes, no, maybe" action, some wavering, etc.
Jet, you do it perfectly. I like that your guys question themselves a bit. It makes them more sympathetic.
Thanks, JenB. I agree, they need to at least acknowledge that their thought and lust patterns are taking a turn lol
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