ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Gay literature

Gay literature is stories and books that are about people who love differently. Most of the time, the people in these stories are men who love other men, or women who love other women. But sometimes it can be about people who love both men and women, or about someone who is not sure yet.

Back in the past, people didn't like the idea of people loving and marrying whoever they want, especially if it was not a man and a woman. So, some writers wrote stories to show that it is okay for people to love who they want to love. They wrote about characters who went through struggles and hardships because of their sexuality, but also found happiness in the end. These books helped people see that it’s okay to be different, and everyone deserves to be treated with love and respect, no matter who they love.

Nowadays, more and more people are accepting of people with different sexualities. This means that there is more gay literature out there to read. Gay literature can be funny, romantic, adventurous, or even scary. It can show different perspectives on love and relationships. It can make people feel seen and understood, and help them learn more about the world around them. So now, people read gay literature not just to show that being gay is okay, but for the story, characters, and their feelings.