The question I’m always asking is: have we been honest, kind, fair, accurate, and done right by these characters?

Green: Community… #OwnVoices and authors who respect the men they are writing about. I’ve found friends and connections through the gay books that I read, write, and edit. I’ve also found groups of gay men who uplift and support, without question or judgement, and that’s a beautiful thing.

Teal: Healing… Many gay men carry trauma from their younger years, and some don’t. But we do exist in a world that has often been hostile to our existence—whether political, religious, or just misunderstood. Growing and getting better is a complex and long process for many. We’re all on a journey of healing, from all sorts of pain, but it’s heartening to be able to do it alongside such kind souls.

Light Green: Joy… in being, in existing, and in finding peace. I find joy in nature, in writing, in friends, in family, in helping others put out their best books. There is joy in seeing that the gay world is boundless, and below a sometimes shady, hard, tough exterior, it has some of the kindest, most creative, and soulful people.

White: Trans/masc… Where would we be without our trans siblings? Support, connection—warriors from the beginning until now. There is very much TQ+ in the LGB, because battling violence, oppression, and hate requires coming together and finding similarities, not pointing out differences. We stand united.

Light Blue: Love… For me, for you, for them, and most of all for those who hate, because they are the most lost. Hate stems from a lack of education and instilled bias, and it can be unlearned through love. I LOVE working with authors on their books. Day in, day out, and it’s an honour and a privilege to do what I do.

Purple: Activists, equality… We stand on the shoulders of giants. People—men, women, nonbinary folx—who have come before, and we learn, support, and do what we can from our own place in the world. Some people are going to write letters, some are going to protest, and some are going to knuckle down and write more books. There is no right way, but there is your way, and that counts.

“Race, gender, religion, sexuality, we are all people and that’s it. We’re all people. We’re all equal.” —Connor Franta

Dark Purple: Diversity and Inclusion… I am inclusive of anyone writing gay or MM fiction. Some of my favourite authors are not gay men. Some of them are gay men. Both can exist together! Who writes what is not really my focus, but how they write is very important. Intention matters. There is always a space at the MM fiction table for those writing authentic, realistic, sympathetic, and inclusive portrayals of gay, bi, and trans men.

I love that there are over 30 pride flags for the 2SLGBTQIA+ people of the world. There is room for everyone—just don’t be a jackass.