LGBTQ Science Fiction Writers
A large number of popular science fiction writers have identified as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Queer (LGBTQ). Many of the themes in science fiction novels themselves originate from the life experiences of the LGBTQ community, such as escapism, marginalization, sexual desire, super-intelligence, feminism, deviant desires, and more. After all, the imagined worlds of science fiction includes worlds that are different than our own and include minority aspects of sexual desire.
It is believed that the very first science fiction writer in history, the Greek writer Lucian (120-150 AD), was also the first gay writer in history. Perhaps the most famous science fiction writer of all time is gay writer Arthur S. Clarke, the author of the book '2001: A Space Odyssey'.
Similar to Lucian, many of the LGBTQ science fiction writers are also academics and teach courses on gender issues, race, and sexual diversity. Several are important leaders in the feminist community and have used science fiction as a means to express their vision of the ideal world. Several of these LGBTQ authors are recipients of major awards, including the Lambda Literary Award and the Arthur C. Clarke Award.
There has been concern raised about the lack of LGBTQ representation in science fiction novels themselves. This is certainly a hot topic of discussion in reference to the translation of such works to film and television. The issue is gaining in prominence today when the science fiction genre is prevalent in digital games and other new forms of entertainment.
We have identified the following individuals as LGBTQ science fiction writers. They hail from Canada, the United States, Jamaica, Great Britain, Ireland, and Greece:
- Charlie Jane Andus, United States
- Richard Bowes, United States
- Octavia Butler, United States
- Arthur C. Clarke, Great Britain
- A. M. Dellamonica, Canada
- Samuel R. Delany, United States
- Thomas M. Disch, United States
- Sally Miller Gearhart, United States
- David Gerrold, United States
- Nicola Griffith, Great Britain
- Nalo Hopkinson, Jamaica
- Janis Ian, United States
- Karin Kallmaker, United States
- Caitlan Kiernan, Ireland
- Elizabeth A. Lynn, United States
- Lucian, Greece
- Joanna Russ, United States
- Geoff Ryman, Canada
- Darieck Scott, United States
- Melissa Scott, United States
- Alice Bradley Sheldon, United States
