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Some people say that the "gay" option is fine because it is simple interest and it would be the same as not wanting to read about a soccer player or a drug lord or a Catholic. I disagree that you can compare those options though. (although I may not be hurt by someone saying that in a poll, I may say you need to be more open-minded, haha)
One is a choice, the other is a characteristic. A more balanced comparison would be "I don't like reading about people with blue eyes" or "I don't want to read about someone with dark skin". (can you imagine the uproar?) Both are simple characteristics that cannot be changed. Would I be hurt if someone added those options to the poll? Of course! That means someone is basing their opinions on something about me, something that I was born with and have no way of changing. To me that is basically saying none of your other qualities, interests, values, and actions matter and that is hurtful.
As a person lucky enough to be in the majority concerning my sexual preferences, I can only relate by considering my own characteristics I was born with. It would be considered rude and hurtful if someone had written in "I don't like reading about short people" or "curly-haired people" or "multiracial families". Why are those statement considered "wrong" or "rude" while saying you don't want to read about "gays" is ok?
Of course no one has the right to force you to believe anything. Whether you believe being gay is a sin or just kinda gross, it's your deal. It's when you start putting it out in public that causes the problem. And yes you have the right of free speech and so on, but as with everything in life, be prepared to hurt people's feelings and offend others. Just as you have the right to say it, I have the right to be hurt by it and I won't hide it.
I love Lord John Gray. ADORE Lord John Gray. I am s glad that Diana writes about him. He sounds like he'd make just about the best friend ever.
Lord John Grey or any character is more than his or her sexual preferences. He is honorable, brave, a true soldier of his times... he is a father, brother and son, he had a wife. His life is an multifaceted as are people.. and that is why I love his character and they way Diana writes about him and his adventures and how he interacts with the other characters. I cannot imagine an Outlander world without him. I think if you would rather not read or hear about a gay character..this series is just not for you.. skip it. He is wonderful.. period.
Do you love the Outlander series?
Oh no, I am not interested in reading about strong female women.
Do you think that Mr.Willoughby should be in the series?
Sorry, isn't he Asian…?I'm not interested in reading about non-white characters.
Do these answer seem ridiculous and quite frankly unacceptable?
So too is the option " I'm not interested in reading about a gay character."
Okay fine, so you might not enjoy the Lord John Grey series, but not enjoying it because a character HAPPENS to be gay should not even be a choice in 2014!
I'm not sure if I'm more disappointed that the "don't want to read about a gay character" is an option, or that there are 13 fans who are stupid and vapid enough to vote for it. This is bullshit, and I I won't be back to your site.
Sorry, not interested in voting in a poll that has the option "I'm not interested in reading about a gay character." I'm a long-time fan of ALL the Outlander characters. To me, even having that option in the poll is an insult to Diana Gabaldon, Lord John (yes, I know he's fictional, but still . . .), all my many gay friends, and every other gay person in the world. I cannot believe that a blog that I have enjoyed for quite a while would post something like that. What century are THEY living in?
Not interested in a gay character? Really, in 2014? I would laugh but it is too disgusting. Shame on anybody so bigoted as to say it, think it or feel it.
Cyanmoonstars' comment portrays my thoughts exactly! I'm horrified that I saw those words "I'm not interested in reading about a gay character".
Diana has readers who come from all ethnicities, religions and sexual preferences. I don't see it ever being ok to suggest that one might not read her book because a character that she has created is gay. Would you have ever put the following as a question for a poll? "I'm not interested in reading about a character with different coloured skin?" No? EXACTLY! It is inappropriate.
I generally love these polls and articles. I'm disappointed beyond these words to have read this today.
Honestly? Not interested in reading the books because there is a gay character? Well, I'd suggest you not read much of any history book then. I'd venture to guess there were many a gay character in those that we just didn't know about. If you're seriously worried that you might "catch the gay" by reading abt Lord John, we Outlander fans would rather you not read the books at all. We've zero time/tolerance. Mileage may vary, but I'm just shaking my head...
I'd complete the poll on the Lord John books, but I'm sorry - I won't vote in a poll that actually has a option to decry a gay character.
IMHO, Herself created a human being named John Grey, who just HAPPENS to be gay. It's a part of him. It's how he IS and an integral part in his relationship to the characters in the books.
To have John Grey not part of the whole cycle of Outlander (Big books and in-between books alike) by wanting Ms Gabaldon to stop writing about him is exclusionary and narrow-minded.
While everyone is entitled to their opinion, I have a hard time believing that an intelligent reader (and we know that as a group we certainly ARE) would actually not want to read about the whole world of Jamie and Claire.