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I have something to say about Becky Albertalli. Those of you who know me know that I do not enjoy arguing on the internet. I steer clear because I don't wish to live my life in conflict. As a gay man who grew up in the 1980s, I've lived in anger for much of my life. Believe me.
But I'm seeing stuff about my friend Becky, and I do wish to say something on her behalf. And also about the issue of harm and the concept of scarcity.
I read Becky’s essay in which she came out as bi. I've known Becky to be honest and authentic. As such, I take her words at face value. I don’t believe the theory that Becky did this in order to “make it okay” to have written what she’s written.
I believe she is saying that in her 30s, she began to question her sexual orientation and now identifies as bi. I know many, many, many people who began to question in their 30s, 40s, and even 50s. It happens, and Becky is telling us that it’s happened to her.
Regarding the idea that she co-opted the experience of a gay boy as a straight woman, and that Simon is harmful: I don’t buy it. If she was able to sit in the chair of a character and make him feel as real as Simon does, she has done a great service to many young people.
When inauthentic characters are created by people who are not part of the group being represented, that is harmful. I believe that. Becky did not do that. Simon is real as can be. So is Leah.
The concern Becky profited off of the pain of a group of people is something I can speak to directly, as a cis gay white author who writes about cis gay characters. Nothing she has done has taken money out of my pocket. If anything, her success has brought attention to the genre.
The Openly Straight movie may one day happen. It’s in the works. The Music of What Happens the movie may one day happen. It’s in the works. Success is not finite. There is enough for all of us, and to blame Becky for anyone else’s lack of success feels deeply unfair to me.
I apologize if I hurt your feelings with these words. Of course everyone is allowed to express their point of view. My concern, though, is for Becky, who is feeling a lot of pain right now. Peace and love, Bill
