Page "LGBT themes in speculative fiction" Paragraph 29

Other big name SF authors approached LGBT themes in individual works: In Time Enough for Love ( 1973 ) by Robert A. Heinlein, the main character argues strongly for the future liberty of homosexual sex, but sex for the purpose of procreation remains held as the ideal.

The female bisexuality in Stranger in a Strange Land ( 1961 ) has been described as mere titilation and male homosexuality in the same work was a " wrongness " deserving pity.

Heinlein's use of sexuality is discussed in an essay entitled " The Embarrassments of Science Fiction " by SF writer Thomas Disch.

Disch was publicly gay from 1968 ; this came out occasionally in his poetry and particularly in his novel On Wings of Song ( 1979 ).

His other major SF novels also contained bisexual characters: in his mosaic novel 334, gay people are referred to as " republicans " in contrast to the straight " democrats ".

However, he did not try to write to a particular community: " I'm gay myself, but I don't write ' gay ' literature.

" Overt gay and lesbian themes were first found in underground and alternative titles which did not carry the CCA's seal of approval.