Agents, Lies and the Absence of Videotape

[steepholm]

I haven't commented on the "Say Yes to Gay YA" controversy, because I couldn't think of anything to add that wasn't already being said across the blogosphere. However, when this particular blogger feels the need defend her friend (the agent in question) by accusing sartorias and rachelmanija of using said agent "as a springboard ... to gain attention for their project", that's different.

To my mind, that's as hefty an accusation as homophobia, with the added bonus that it's an accusation of named individuals. So, for the record: I find it hard to name or even imagine anyone less likely than sartorias to do such a thing. (I name her only because I don't know rachelmanija.) Quite simply, to my mind sartorias is a by-word for integrity, both as a writer and as a human being, and anyone who accuses her of seeking publicity by making false accusations jettisons credibility.

The obvious relief with which many of the commenters leapt on this straightforward denial as if it were an unimpeachable refutation is pretty telling, and what it tells ain't pretty.

Comments

[a-d-medievalist.livejournal.com]

thanks for this ... I was waiting for someone to say something.

[drasecretcampus.livejournal.com]

I'm going to stop reading the comments now - it's reminding me of a couple of recent discussions on publishing and broadcasting which saaid they can't be sexist (ie anti-woman) because editors/producers are women. It's all too easy to internalise normativity and censor accordingly.

[papersky.livejournal.com]

I know Rachel, and she'd be just as unlikely to do it.