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RWA's recent consideration of modifying the definition of the romance genre to exclude same-sex love stories follows a controversial debate in 2005 over “graphical standards” that would have restricted the usage of images or words on members' websites that were deemed objectionable. The graphical standards were later dropped, and it appears that the current debate on same-sex romance will also be dropped — at least officially.

In reaction to Butler's letter, numerous romance writers and readers have expressed dismay and outrage, arguing that Butler represents a biased and conservative viewpoint. On the other hand, Butler's letter may be representative of the groundswell of conservative Christians in the United States, which has resulted in significant growth in the Christian market.

Among the top five subgenres within the romance genre, “inspirational romances with a spiritual sub-plot” is the fourth most-preferred subgenre, with 31 percent of romance readers expressing interest in them. Other areas of the Christian market, such as music and gifts, have also experienced phenomenal growth. According to a 2005 Business Week article, retail sales of religious products now come to $7 billion a year, four times higher than in 1980.

Gay and lesbian romances, however, have also continued to be popular — at least among gay and lesbian readers. According to Bookazine's Ron Hanby, who specializes in the LGBT market, “Lesbian romance still gains popularity and is easily 50 percent of the title base.” Recent lesbian publishing houses such as Bold Strokes Books, founded by former surgeon-turned-writer Radclyffe, may also have contributed to a broadening awareness of lesbian romance fiction.

“I don't think there's been a recent surge in same-sex romance fiction — it's been around for decades — but there may be a greater awareness of it in the general population, as opposed to just in the gay and lesbian community,” says Radclyffe. “That's due to broader marketing by gay and lesbian publishers and the greater visibility of gay and lesbian authors in the mainstream.”

In recent years, gay and lesbian writers have become more vocal members of the RWA, but they remain a minority among both writers and readers of romance. RWA publicist Kennedy emphasizes, “Anybody pursuing a career in romance fiction is welcome to join; it's not based on what they're writing.” Among the RWA's 9,500 members, approximately 1,600 are publishers writers of book-length romance fiction, which demonstrates that one of the RWA's primary goals it to support writers, published or not.

“I view the Romance Writers of America as an important professional organization that represents writers who focus on the romance genre and which provides a forum for exchanging information on all aspects of writing, publishing, and marketing that fiction,” Radclyffe says. “I certainly hope that the membership recognizes that there are a large number of serious, dedicated gay and lesbian authors whose work shares the same focus as theirs — a developing emotional and physical love relationship.”

When asked for an official response to the brouhaha that erupted in the wake of the poll and Butler's letter, Kennedy states, “The opinion expressed in the letter you mentioned was made by one member of a 10,000-member association in response to a discussion regarding the definition of romance that took place over a year ago. In July 2005, RWA's Board of Directors released the following statement: ‘The Board feels that the organization doesn't define the genre; the genre defines the organization. With that in mind, the Board agrees that any definition of romance should be broad and inclusive.'”

Readers and writers of LGBT romance fiction may take comfort in Nora Roberts, who states: “RWA is, and always has been, an organization for writers, published and unpublished. Its purpose is to support, to advocate, to educate writers on writing, on the market, on publishing. It has never been anyone's moral compass. It doesn't strive to be one, despite the demands and statements made by Ms. Butler or those who might share her particular beliefs. She's entitled to her opinion. She is not entitled to demand an organization and its members re-structure RWA to suit that opinion.”

For her part, Butler says that her comments were taken out of context. “Clearly, pedophilia is an offense that cuts across many kinds of lines, so no group of any persuasion has any ‘corner' on it. I was merely pointing out that leaving the ‘definition' door as wide open as RWA did could, perhaps, lead to some unintended consequences and complications they wouldn't want.”

For more information about Romance Writers of America,
visit their website www.rwanational.org

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