Episode 39: What's in a Pen Name?

Content warning: This episode mentions the Killing Stalking manhwa, discusses problematic elements of dramas (such as non-consensual grabbing, stalking, kidnapping, and misogynistic behavior), mentions drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana, fictional suicide in Orphan Black, underage relationships with regards to Queer as Folk, microaggressions and exclusionary behavior re: Pride events, fake suicides and hate crimes, and deals with a complex and potentially tender subject―that of pen names and pronouns in queer romance being policed. We also mention Santino Hassell.

Austin and Amanda talk about stuff they've been consuming―including a strangely enjoyable but deeply problematic Chinese BoyLove drama―and also discuss gatekeeping and accessibility issues at Pride events. The last half of the episode is dedicated to the subject of pen names in queer romance, and how policing what pronouns someone uses in their author life can be harmful. Though there are genuine examples of people appropriating experiences for artistic cred and social capital and using that to cause real harm, we need to focus on the harm done and not what pronoun the person used while doing it.

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Episode notes:

The free bleep I used was found here!

Elton John - Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (with Kiki Dee)

The Ella Enchanted version

Ngozi Ukaz - Check, Please!

Koogi - Killing Stalking (TW for kidnapping, rape, murder, violence, and other disturbing content)

Keezy Young - Never Heroes: Yellow Hearts

Robin Bennis - The Guns Above: A Signal Airship Novel

Westworld (TV show)

P.G. Wodehouse

The Hopeless Romantic - Episode 30 - Beefman

Orphan Black (TV show)

Addicted (Chinese drama)

Brokeback Mountain Theme

Screencaps from Addicted

Elton John - The Circle of Life

Queer as Folk (US TV show)

The L Word (TV show)

The Fussy Librarian: "Cockygate" hearing transcript released

J.K. Rowling aka Joanne Rowling

George Sand aka Amantine Lucile Dupin

AO3 Census: Masterpost

Book Binge: A Statement About Santino Hassell