Spontaneous post of squee!

I lost track of modern fantasy and sci-fi novels in high school, through college, and almost up to the present day. Now I think about, it started when I discovered Elfquest, and through that comic, anime and manga. My local book club is what has changed this. Book Club has thrown me back into the deep end of prose speculative fiction.

I've noticed an interesting change between the books I read in the late 80s and early 90s and the ones I'm reading now. Not counting the obvious dramatic increase in Urban Fantasy...it has more to do with the characters. Again not counting the increase in strong female heroic leads. I like this specific change very much, especially since I've encountered it in almost every fantasy and sci-fi book I"ve read that's been published in 1995 or later. You ready?? Here it is:

Heroes can be homosexual. Or not white. Or even--dare I say it--not interested in sex at all!!!  *hugs each and every one*

Heeeee! *goes back to happily reading her current book, which stars a bi man and an asexual teenaged guy. Kyaa! *happy dance*