Note: I'm using Bridgerton as an example because it's the most recent and widespread phenomenon and it can be applied very broadly to other stories too — that's why I didn't post this on the Bridgerton forum.

Okay, I feel like this is the only place I can come to for a good-faith discussion. I can’t have this conversation over Instagram or Twitter without people thinking I’m trying to attack them. But I’m genuinely curious—and maybe a little bit miffed—but I promise I’m trying to understand.

So, as you know, Bridgerton recently announced that Francesca’s story will be the main focus of season 5, and a lot of people don’t like that—especially a lot of straight women. And this just makes me question everything, including what allyship actually means.

Because these straight women are the same women who were—okay, “frothing at the mouth” is not the right phrase—but who really, really enjoyed Heated Rivalry. They were sharing it and supporting it like nobody else. But when Francesca’s story is changed to be a lesbian romance, suddenly people don’t like it.

So my question is: why?

And I already know some of the arguments. One is that she needs time to grieve. But Bridgerton has said there will be a two-year time skip. Another is that she’s dealing with infertility, and that somehow doesn’t “make sense” in a lesbian romance. But queer people also experience infertility. That’s a very human experience—it’s not different for queer people versus straight people. Then there’s the argument that they’re changing too much from the books in the name of inclusivity (changing Michael to Michaela) and that changes how Francesca's story will play out or how they will miss out on the things that Michael does as a man (and that, to me, feels like misogyny). But Bridgerton has always changed things. Sophie isn’t Asian in the book. Neither is Kathani Sharma (Changed to brown from a white woman). Every single season has made inclusive changes. Even Benedict is queer in the show, and that wasn’t in the books—at least not from what I’ve seen people say online.

And people—especially straight women—were very supportive of Benedict’s queerness. So why is Francesca’s storyline so controversial? Why?

I’d genuinely like to know your thoughts, especially if you're someone who’s straight and also enjoyed Heated Rivalry. Why do you think you—or other straight women—feel this way about the storyline? Because to me, it feels like there’s a kind of cognitive dissonance: enjoying and consuming gay romance, but not giving the same love to lesbian romance. I’ve seen people say, “Well, I’m straight, so of course I’ll enjoy gay romance more—I want to view men’s bodies.” And honestly, that feels like it might be tied to internalized misogyny. I’ve also heard people say that gay romance gives women space to explore sexuality without without the pressure patriarchy puts on women’s bodies. But gay romance is still a story about men, from men’s perspectives. You can’t really get more patriarchal than that—it’s still centered on men.

If anything, I feel like consuming women-centered romance would be less patriarchal.

Another argument I saw was that in gay romance, you don’t have to deal with the concept of pregnancy. But that’s also true for lesbian romance. So I’m just… I’m genuinely curious. I know some nuance and tone might get lost in a post like this, but I really do want a good-faith discussion.

Why is it such a big deal to straight women that this storyline is different from the books, when previous seasons were also incredibly different—and were given so much love? Why do straight women enjoy gay romance more?

I'm only putting forth my counter arguments here for the arguments I've already heard, so you know that I've researched about the topic to form my opinions. But maybe you can go ahead and give me another perspective?

For artists who read, do you get inspired to create by the books you read? I’m especially curious about art that isn’t a literal translation of a book (like fanart) but more as a response to it.

Which do you find yourself being inspired by the most? Characters, settings, atmosphere, themes, or something else?

I'm trying to push myself to paint every day, just for practice. I typically create bigger projects but I'm testing myself to do more smaller, less time intensive pieces. I've been inspired by a couple books lately, mostly the atmosphere and themes, and it got me thinking because I tend to see more character art than anything. Do we just not advertise it as much?

If you make art: how do the books you read show up in your work, even when no one else would recognize the reference? If you don’t: do you notice certain books changing the way you see art?

Also I would absolutely haaaaate if you posted pictures of your bookish art 👀

Talk art to me!