The Backlash Abates? Stories of LGBTQ Love and Cheer

A Prism & Pen writers prompt

In the U.S. and the U.K., an anti-LGBTQ backlash has led to frightening violence storms. Writing about that is important. For example, I’m working on a story about an Ohio church somebody recently firebombed over a scheduled drag-queen fundraising event. The story is interesting in part because local police, instead of offering to protect the church, tried to strongarm members into canceling the show, citing “public safety concerns.”

The church has refused to back down.

Is that a positive or negative story? I don’t know. It’s a sign of resistance to the backlash, for sure. Writing about that is important too.

Every day, I run across stories of successful resistance — like a federal judge in Texas ordering a library board to put banned books (about LGBTQ and Black people) back on shelves within 24 hours or face a contempt citation. Every day, I see signs that most people aren’t cool with the hate the backlash proponents are offering up.

Just this morning in Prism & Pen, Kitty Whitemore told a story from the heart of the backlash, the state of Florida. But hers was not a tale of woe. She writes about starting a new job and finding acceptance and understanding from coworkers over her transgender identity and presentation.

Not what you expect out of Florida, perhaps, but is Kitty’s story more typical of people’s behavior than toxic political rhetoric implies?

I don’t know, but I hope so.

I know this: Stories like Kitty’s are important to queer people and allies, as least as important as stories about the backlash itself.

Some people say they see signs the backlash is abating, that the general public is getting sick of queer-bashing politics. I don’t know, I don’t have a crystal ball.

What do you think? Do you have stories to tell?

The Backlash Abates? Stories of LGBTQ Love and Cheer

That’s our Prism & Pen writing prompt for the next two weeks. Whether you are an LGBTQ person or an ally, friend or family member, we want to hear stories about positive signs you see in your own life or community. Think the prompt premise is bullshit? That’s OK. Send in a story. We want to hear from you too.

It’s time to write!

Quills out, editorial support available! Even if you don’t think of yourself as a writer, P&P editors can help you make your story look sharp and professional. Your voice is what matters, not your skill level.

Also, you don’t have to submit stories to P&P based on our prompts. You can submit stories about anything in the LGBTQ universe, whenever you like. Please do!

You tell your stories, we’ll help you share them.

Please send in your essays, poems, short fiction, memoir, or history. Don’t forget film, TV, and art reviews.

If you’ve not yet written for P&P, here are our submissions guidelines and procedures:

Stories so far

Esther Spurrill-Jones, BFoundAPen, Kathy Lee Tolleth, Brian Pelletier, Fred Shirley, Ikedi Oghenetega, neil chapman, David Wade Chambers, Artemis Shishir, alto, Sean Stephane Martin, Gabriela Penelope Carolus, Lois Shearing, b.henriques, Carl Rebeiro 🏳️‍🌈, Rodney Frazier, Simon, Carl Rebeiro, Brian Fehler, Deneishia Jacobpito, Chris Hedges, Kathy Lee Tolleth, Brian Pelletier, Alex David Bevan, Ikedi Oghenetega, David Wade Chambers, Sean Stephane Martin, Gabriela Penelope Carolus, Lois Shearing, Valentine Wiggin, b.henriques, Carl Rebeiro, Rodney Frazier, Simon Z. Brian Fehler, Cassie Brighter, Deneishia Jacobpito, James Patrick Nelson, Brigid Maloney, Gabriela, Presley Thomas, Evan McCoy, Loren Olson, Ken Wilson, Chandler Myer, NaNa’sworld, Arabelle J., Liam Heitmann-Ryce, Prickly Pam, Dawn McGrath, Jonathan | sex & theology, Tabitha Lowndes, Emma Nwosisi, Melissa Speed, Dr. Thomas J. West, Till Kaeslin, Dave Smurthwaite, Ellie Rebecca, Zoey Milford, Edris Quinn C., Dennett, Michael Constable, Jim Martens, Stephen Foster, Kravitz M. Kristen Nadel, William Kuhn, Denisa Bogdan, MSci, Rafaela Mempin, Tre L. Loadholt, theoaknotes, Rachel Brindell, Elle Fredine, Jess Darnell, Emma Holiday, Gabe Evaristo, Joshua Mackey, Steve Alexander, Stevie Wilkinson, Andy Killoran, Nick Bundarin, ElMehdi El Azhary, Bradley Wester, Stella Luna (they/she?), Chuy G. Gonzalez, MS, Aaron W. Marrs, Tima Loku, Cam, The Transgender Therapist, Sean Bennett, Ty Bo Yule, Alessia Autumn, Allen R. Marquez, Spencer James, Mary-Ellen Maynard, Gaby Spadaro, Elena Joy Thurston, Mina Krane, Jason Masters, Jeff Harvey, Laurence Best, Don Stouder, J. S. Richards, Fiona Feng, Yvonne Borgquist, Sarah McManus MSc, Annabelle Rose, Laura Silverstein, LCSW, Kyla Sawyer, Ellen Caminiti, rowen maeve, Rafaela Mempin, Punch Drunk Cola, Jeff Poole, Mrs. Capricious, Justine L, Patsy Fergusson, John Westphalen, Curtis Harding, Phoenix Huber, Val Servino, Jadon-Maurice Forbes, Molly Martin, Henry Lee Butler, Grey Alexander Crawford, Les Campbell, Casira Copes, Niki Madore, Shachee Swadia, Chevanne Scordinsky, Reis Asher, Jahleel Wasser, Jaimie Brickey, Doody Richards, Patrick Paul, James Fox Jeffries, Alexander Petrovnia, Elaine D Walsh, ƒ Michael Wells, Jack Herlocker, Lindsay Soberano-Wilson, Don Orr Martin, Jackson Banks, Martin Friend, Coby Bronze, Cate Talley, Damian Delune, Emilly Olivares, Sree Jaya, Sogen Ohata, David Arias, Kayla Vokolek, G. L. Balend, Anthony Eichy Eichberger, Shanker Mahadev, Jenna McRae, Jay Rose Ana, Kevin M. Casin, Linda Caroll, Unzip It, Judy McCord, Eric Beach, Dr Jeff Livingston, Topher Bigelow, Christopher Kelly, Joseph Coco, Jordan Michael Becker, syys, Mike Rosebush, PhD, Eilís O’Keeffe, Meghan McKie, Rand Bishop, Ryan Doskocil, Jacob Green, JULIAN GRACIANO NUNEZ, Marcus Davensky, Rebecca Herz, Alexander Tan, X.S., Ken Scout, Kitty Whitemore, Ellison O., Ed Guzzo, KP_the_writer, Judah Leblang, Arthur Keith, Jess Whitehall, Takoda Leighton-Patterson, S. Armstrong, Elena, Dunollie, Rita Malone, Nicole Stewart, Amanda Laughtland, Stephanie Moga, Tyler Albertario, Na.tasha Tr.oop, Suzanna Alastair, Lorelei Weldon, Victoria Stagg Elliott, Staten Blogging, Jaimie Hileman, Roo Benjamin, I. J., Helianthos, Brynn Tannehill, Lari, Amelia Harlow, Mary DeVries, Alyssa Ferguson, Anna, Casey Lawrence, Meagon Nolasco, spoorti, Antoni(a) Ceballos, A. T. Steel, Logan Silkwood, E. Katherine Kottaras, Eugene Pierson, David Moreton, Joanna Miles, Fay Wylde, Mila Bea, Elliott Jacob, Gerald Sturgill, Kim Barrett. Jenny Starr✨, Alex Mell-Taylor, Jonny Masters, Collin McGuinness, Ryan J. Mills, Kyle Palmer, Teresa Wymore, Dan Thomas, Lisa B-L, Lex Laursmith, Skye Mo’ipulelehua Kahoali’i, Mona S Gable, Josie Quinn, Aris Jace, David Milley, Kitty Williams, Josep Ferrer, June Thomas, Steve K, Jennifer Roth-Burnette, Amae, Danni Michaeli, Kai Stowers, Sieran Lane, Michelle Marie Warner, John A. Giurin, Michael Horvich, aleXander hirka, Tyger Songbird, Michelle Paquette, Karyn Marie, Grayson Bell, Laura Albrecht, Simon May, Antonia Ceballos, Tris Harkness, Amber Poe, Tiffany Gibson, Alison Luke, Jamila Johnson, Damian Pak, Jennifer Thompson, Tucker Douglass (He/Him), Demeter V Delune, Vanessa Brown, Amethysta, RileyA, Stephanie Parry, Kaylin Hamilton, Ph.D, Laura Halls, Steve Daniels, James Patrick Nelson, Remy J. Alan 🏳️‍🌈✒️, MaryClare StFrancis, M.A., Harrie Wren, Dee.O, Kathryn J Redman, Joan Rittberg, Luwa Adebanjo, Nicole Anderson, Saoirse, Jack L, Lindsay Soberano Wilson, A.J. Cralle (she, her), SteviLeeAlver, Eleni, Torshie Torto, Sherry Kappel, Eleni Stephanides, K.C. Phipps,