QTPOC Superheroes For Hire SeriesOn Episode 116 of American Sex Podcast, Kevin Patterson & Alana Phelan, authors of the For Hire series, talk about the queer superhero universe they created. We also discuss why centering marginalized voices is important in fiction, how Harry Potter fans are handling the JK Rowling TERF situation, why books like Fifty Shades of Grey and Anne Rice’s Beauty Series positively changed our culture while still perpetuating harmful stereotypes, and how positive representation in media can change the world. The pair also tell us about being awarded and Effing Foundation Grant and their upcoming non-fiction book about cautionary polyamory.

Kevin Patterson Bio

  • Kevin Patterson is an active member of the Philadelphia polyamory community. He’s been practicing ethical nonmonogamy since August of 2002 after opening up a relationship that eventually became his marriage.

    In April of 2015, Kevin was inspired to start Poly Role Models, an interview series for people describing their experiences with polyamory. Poly Role Models is part of a drive and a desire to change the way our lives and communities are viewed. It is currently the most diverse and inclusive platform for polyamory available.

    To continue the discussion of polyamorous representation, Kevin has extended the blog’s work into nationwide speaking engagements about how race and polyamory intersect. This has led to the writing of the book, Love’s Not Color Blind: Race and Representation in Polyamorous and Other Alternative Communities. Along with co-writer Alana Phelan, Kevin launched a sci-fi novel series, For Hire. The series centers characters of color and as well as other marginalized identities.  

Alana Phelan Bio

Alana Phelan is a writer, editor, and librarian. After dipping in and out of non-monogamy over the last twenty-plus years, she decided to commit to polyamory about six years ago. She then helped organize meetups in Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Connecticut, and started the Polyamory Hub of Philadelphia to help local groups find resources more easily. She now houses and helps run a small lending library for the Philadelphia polyamory community and uses her experiences, good and bad, to help others as The Polyamorous Librarian.

p.s. Please subscribe to American Sex & rate us on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. And if you really dig us, consider becoming a member of our Patreon family. All Patreon members get our episodes early and access to our exclusive feed. You also get episodes made exclusively for Patreon members, podcast stickers, surprises in the mail, a personal video greeting & more for as little as $3 a month. Thanks!

Episode 116 Links

Episode 116 Sponsor, Affiliate & Giveaway Info

12345678