Episode 39: What's in a Pen Name?

Summary: 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.