Smash the heterosexual orthodoxy

[donnaimmaculata]

Following the confirmation of the Remus/Tonks canon and the subsequent - to use a polite term - discussions about whether or not Rowling has merely submitted to society's heterosexist pressure, I would like to ask a question that's always interested me: What makes Remus gay?

I am asking this, because there are many readers who read the character Remus Lupin as gay. And I don't mean the character's being coded as representing the idea of homosexuality on an allegorical level, which is quite a different thing. (A worrying one as well if people assume that making someone a vicious man-eating monster means that they stand for homosexuality, but this is neither here nor there.) What I am interested to know is what, exactly, about Lupin's characterisation makes readers think he's as gay as a tree full of monkey.

Because, as much as I like writing and reading Remus in slash pairings, I've never read the character in the novel as gay. (He reminds me far too much of my ex-BF for that, but this, again, is neither here nor there.) He's polite, understanding and witty, which, I realise, are qualities that are often contributed to gay men, because they are oh so full of understanding for us women, quite unlike their rude, insensitive, grumpy straight counterparts.

This is a serious question. I'm honestly interested.

Comments

[midnitemaraud-r.livejournal.com]

I read and write more slash than het, because Sirius, Remus and Snape are my favourite characters. (Also, I like teh hot slashy sex. But I want it to be embedded into a plot that makes sense.)

*g* I do as well! I was literally one of those (rare) people who came to the fandom for the 'gen' aspects, discovered the porn and stayed just as much for that as anything. I've always liked Snape as a character - I think he's incredibly complex, I love his snark, I love the fact that he constantly surprises me - how Harry is always wrong about him, but the image I have in my head of Snape (even though he shares mannerisms and his voice with Alan Rickman, he doesn't look like Rickman to me) rather precludes me from thinking of him as a sexual being. Which is why I'm not a fan of Snape ships.

I prefer plot, but I do read PWP's if the paired characters 'work' for me. I haven't written het in HP fandom, mostly because the female characters haven't much inspired me to do so. I'm also not prolific like so many of the others whose stories I read.

I love the friendship dynamic between all four of the marauders. I especially like the dynamic between James and Sirius. I've read slash stories that have paired them, but I prefer them as friends. And I also like stories that explore the friendship between Remus and Sirius as well as sexual/romantic aspect. I much prefer the 'friends become lovers' type of dynamic to the 'hate sex' or 'casual acquaintance' or 'love at first sight' types. Especially with these two. Because I don't see either of them trusting easily or lightly, and especially with Remus having to hide his condition, I can't see him being comfortable or at ease with anyone. I can see him perhaps wanting to be 'normal', snogging a girl or two because it's what teenage boys do, but never able to take that next step because he's far to wary, far too secretive (because he has to be), private and distant - self-effacing and a bit self-conscious, with a tinge of self-pity... And I suppose I like the idea of Sirius being truly fascinated by Remus - especially by his self-control, since that's something that Sirius is rather lacking in - just as Remus would be attracted to Sirius' spontaneity and passion because those are things he can't allow himself.

I think that's why I enjoy reading and writing stories that take place pre-azkaban and during their time at Hogwarts. Plus, I love the challenge of being a female writing 'boy behavior' and trying not to fall into the trap of writing them with girlish tendencies. (It's funny - I wrote one story where they go from first kiss to snogging to (clothed) frottage in the span of minutes, and a few people felt that it was 'too fast', and all I could think of was, "but, they're boys, not girls.")

...Or with flamboyant gay tendencies either. That's not to say that I haven't enjoyed quite a few 'glam Sirius' stories - but they're more on par with escapist fantasy for enjoyment purposes rather than 'reality'. (*hee* reality. *headdesk* Sometimes I think they're far too real in my head for my own good!) Remus is not in any way flamboyant or 'stereotypical' (Queer Eye) gay, either. In fact he's quite opposite. Which I think in itself is one of the things that attracts us to the idea. Well, it attracts me - dispelling the ridiculous stereotypes like the limp wrist, a lisp, fashion and style (and decorating) sense. Heh.

I'm admittedly rather picky about the stories I read - especially when it comes to R/S because there are so many fics out there. I've got my grouping of favorite authors whose characterizations and writing skills I trust completely, even when I don't always agree with everything they write, others whom I find entertaining and will 'give it a shot'. Not to mention that I've gradually expanded my slashy tastes because there are so many fantastic writers that I've found.