Writing a Gay Character

This is a post I've fussed with for over a year, not sure how to properly go about it, but it's also a factor in writing that I feel needs to be mentioned. I'm going to tread lightly on this subject by keeping my own views on anything gay as unbiased as possible. I will not say anything for or against gays in any manner, any opinions you see are simply a reflection of your own reading into it.



Except for the phenomenon that is caused by reflection of light in water droplets in the planet's atmosphere known as rainbows.

First, I've seen some well-written gay characters and I've seen some horribly written gay characters. Unfortunately, the latter outweighs the former and, for or against, you're not doing anyone any favors by having a badly written character of any kind.

How do you make a badly-written gay character? In the simplest terms: You make him gay. Period.

Now, before you grab torches and pitchforks, let me elaborate.



I REFUSE TO KEEP READING FOR A PROPER EXPLANASHON!!!111

What I mean to say is that he's just gay and that there is no other characterization to him whatsoever.

Say there is a gay character named Dale who calls himself a slut when he's being (inevitably) spitfire who talks about how absolutely gorgeous all the other male characters in the story are, and is the most fashionable character ever.

Being gay is the only attribute they have and, if you were to mentally subtract that, they don't even equal up to a Bella Swan measurement of characterization. Not only that, but they have to keep reminding friends (and, thus, the reader), via dialogue that they are, in fact, still gay.

"We should let Dale handle the Prom Dance decorations, him being gay and all."

"Being gay means I'm the best at this, remember?"

"Does this dress look good, Dale?"

"Absolutely."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I know what looks good, I'm gay, remember?"

These are pretty much paraphrased from some actual books I've read (and I apologize to anyone named Dale). The only way to make it more obvious is if he were making out with another guy for the entire duration of the story.

How do you make a well-written character? Depth. Take away the single, defining feature about a character, do they still stand up okay? or was that the kick-stand of their cardboard cutout?

By now you're going "Okay, okay! I see what's wrong, but how can I make it right?"

Let's look at Dale again. What are his hopes, dreams, aspirations? What is his favorite movie, what does he do on his time off? When he's in a crowded room what is he doing? What's his house like? Does he read? What do other people like or hate about him? What kind of car does he drive?

Don't immediately go for the gayest answer you possibly can, either. Favorite movie being "The Notebook" is too obvious. Liking Lord of the Rings would be more interesting, especially if he uses the excuse of "there being so many hot guys" when really he's using that as an excuse because he's actually a closet nerd.
 

Characterization comes down to working backwards. Make a character, wholly flesh them out (fill out a character sheet if you find yourself struggling), and then give them that defining aspect, which in this case happens to be the fact that they're gay.

Seriously, no one makes a character based entirely on the fact that they're straight, or female, or Asian, why should a gay character be any different?