Percy Jackson is Awesome!!! discussion

Um...So the Pernico and Percabeth circle yo. #awkward

@Jasmine
1st: I'm so sowwie your poodle died!
2nd: Yeah...I like that hes blinded with love. He loves annabeth so much like oh my gods!

Omagods ewwwww.... Pernico? Not that I'm antigay ppl or anything but... Bleh. Bleh Bleh Bleh. I know a lot of ppl on the Internet were sayin that but I totally did not expect Rick Riordan to put that in his book...so not like him...it's obvious that Uncle Rick is trying to say he supports gay rights or whatever but I wish he would do it in a different way...

@aleah
Exactly. I know that was my reaction. This is a children's book. It's like 5-9 age. Idk. GAH.

My opinion? It's totally fine and even necessary. Homosexuality exists. That's a fact. Kids need to know that fact. I think it was a genius way of introducing the subject into these books. Nico is a character we've all watched grow up. We know his personality and his story and to find out he's gay is a shock but it's not changing my opinion about him. Plus, it's not like there's no other romance in these books! There's plenty of kissing between the various couples and no one bats an eye at that. Kissing is a fairly mature topic, just like being gay is. Really, the only thing that makes homosexuality a fragile topic is all the controversy around it. And what better time to teach people to be openminded than when they're young?

@sev
I totally agree. But as...fangirls we have an attachment to Nico. I think it's just a big shock to me. There's no changing the fact that he is. He could be bi...

Yeah... I'm waiting to see how the entire Nico fandom is going to react. It was definitely a huge shock for me. As for Pernico - that's really not going to happen, so it's not like anyone needs to be for or against it (in my opinion). He could be bi, but I don't think he is, from the conversation between him and Jason on page 428.

Yeahh....true. I kinda liked the fact that Nico was jealous that Percy was holding Annabeth's hand. Call me weird but I felt like WHAAAT??? Like heh

...Okay. So I'm not this far on the series (Sea of Monsters -.-), but is Nick gaaaay?? If he is, I'd be so happy XD

@alex
Yup!

I feel so bad for him... it's pretty heartbreaking. I mean, who knows if he's ever even going to come out? He's been hiding it for so many years and it must be pretty hard for him to trust Jason with the secret. I mean, I can't imagine anyone judging him for it, but he's in a hard situation. I wonder if Bianca ever knew...

Actually its not ages 5-9, its middle school

*Happy* Finally, gay in my favorite novels :D

@nikayla
Ooh....what website was I reading? Hey some of it took part in Croatia!
@alex
I guess...

I'm gonna get on SoM ASAP

@alex
Lol hurry!

So many books... ._.

Not enough space! Idek

I use "._." when I say cake

Cake ._.

I use (*_*)z when I talk about Persassy

BAI I gtg!!!

@alex
I shall post tomorrow on the other thingy

*Reality hits me* I didn't even notice I was talking to the same you! Lol. Byes!

I'm finding it really irritating the reactions to Nico being gay from some of the fans. People say "not that I'm against gays" followed by a completely homophobic remark, as if the first statement makes it all better. Like gay people shouldn't be featured in a children's book? What? Why the heck not? It's this this kind of attitude that fuels homophobia and makes children think there's something wrong with them in the first place.

Ugh. I thought this fandom was better than this :( it makes me sad to hear stuff like this. I love Nico no matter what his sexuality is, and I love Rick so much for including a gay character in his books.

Well I think it's because we've grown used to our Nico. Rick has never done that to is before and he's been changing him so much. Can you blame us?

saying "its not that im against gays but blah blah" is like saying "i dont mean to be rude but **** you"

Exactly!

Well There are a lot of christians that read these books. Trust me I know. I for one am okay with gays, and I think the fact that nico is gay is kind of cool kind of weird. But my dad is a pastor and back in wisconsin at his church there are tons of 8-12 year olds that read these books. Now their parents are probably not going to let them anymore, because a lot of christians don't support gays, including my father.

And homosexuality is a newer issue, a lot of parents (not just christian ones) don't want their 9 year olds thinking about that. That's were people are coming from when they say I am okay with gays but this is a children s book. I for one was shocked, now I know my dad won't let my 12 year old sister back home, Arianna read them anymore.

I wouldn't have an issue with Nico being gay if it hadn't happened so suddenly. I think that that's something Rick should've built up a little more before just dropping a bomb like that. It makes me feel like he make him gay because someone told him oh yeah and by the way you need to support gays in your books too. I like the fact he's gay, I don't like the way he revealed it, or the timing of it

Religious belief is a choice people make. Sexuality is not, it's part of nature. It shouldn't be hidden from kids just because some people choose to believe it's wrong. That's homophobics raising their children to be homophobic like them. Keeping homosexuality a secret from children is completely ridiculous. Those same people don't want to keep heterosexuality from children do they? All it does it keep children growing up thinking heterosexuality is what's 'normal' and homosexuality is not.

u cant blame people for wanting to have grandchildren :c

Although I disagree entirely with what you just wrote, I am not going to go into this because there are a lot kids on her and it this is PJ not Homosexuality debate group, but I will say that reproduction is normal, and you have to be mature to be thinking about homosexuality or even love for that matter. I support gay rights but I don't think that loved authors should be using their fame to support it in kid/middle school books. Rick is going to get a lot of crap for writing that and lose a ton of fans, that's the truth.

This might be a PJ group, but this thread is about our thoughts on Nico's sexuality specifically, so it's completely relevant. What does reproduction have to do with anything? Hetero and homosexuality are both normal, they both occur in nature all the time and have done so throughout history. You say kids shouldn't know about homosexuality. Give me one reason why not.

So you think Authors should stop making their characters who they want them to be just because some fans might not like it? Of course it's not going to go well with all fans - that's how huge a problem homophobia still is.

Sage wrote: "I wouldn't have an issue with Nico being gay if it hadn't happened so suddenly. I think that that's something Rick should've built up a little more before just dropping a bomb like that. It makes m..."

Actually, now that I'm thinking back on the entire series, I'm realizing it was building up the entire time, just very subtly. So, yes, it was a surprise for me, and I totally didn't see it coming... but at the same time I'm wondering how I didn't...

They both do not occur in nature all the time. Sure there are fish that change gender, but it requires two of the opposite gender to reproduce. And throughout history there were some homosexuals sure, but the majority were heterosexual, otherwise half of the population wouldn't be here.
Its not that kids shouldn't know about homosexuality, I guess they should be able to, but once they are mature enough to understand it, not just believe some author that its okay. These books are know going to banned from a lot of Christian homes, why? because these mature parents who have thought these things through don't want their kids whom they pray will also be Christians to be influenced by this. You obviously are not a Christian so I don't expect you to understand. That's what I was talking about, the Christian kids, this was one of the fun exiting books that were clean, now a lot of them will not be able to continue, or they will have family discussions. According to the Bible homosexuality is a sin. I myself would not exactly consider myself a Christian, and one of my best guy friends is gay so I am not biased.

I never said homosexuality wasn't the minority. Just because something isn't the majority does not in any way make it unnatural.

The Percy Jackson series deals with romance already, kissing and being in love, not to mention death and violence are all mature topics. More mature than homosexuality. Are you trying to say murder is more suitable for children than loving the same gender?

It doesn't matter what my religion is. Religion is a choice, sexuality is not. To try and force other people to adhere to your optional beliefs isn't a nice thing to do, especially when it affects people's lives are much as homophobia does.

Who teaches their children what to believe in? Parents, and just like they can teach them to hate and ignore homosexuality, they can teach them to understand that not everyone is the same.

Did you just say this book was 'clean' as if homosexuality is not 'clean'? And then you try to pretend this isn't a homophobic thing to say? You're sounding very biased. I've heard so many people say something completely racist and then turn around and say 'oh but I have a friend who's black'. It doesn't matter if you have a gay friend, what you're writing is definitely homophobic.

I just reread our entire conversation and I would like to apologize. I did sound a little homophobic, but I am not I promise. Gays are not any different than anyone, it doesn't change their personality, their moral standards or any of that. Looking back and thinking about it I agree that kids should be introduced to homosexuality and now what ot is and make their own decisions and be confident with who they are, gay or straight. I am sorry I was rude and mean.

But while Christians don't support Gays, a lot of them don't hate them, they pray for them just as they would pray for anyone else. And I thinking back again Christian parents would be the ones to hide these books from their kids. When I get married and have kids they can read these books. I won't judge them if they are gay.

I am sorry for being a jerk, but I am not homophobic or racist for that matter (but Im not white so I don't know if that proves anything)

Thank you, I think sometimes we don't read things properly before we post them - I know I sometimes look back and wish I'd worded something differently.

I think it depends on the Christians themselves. I know some Christians are supportive of gays and other aren't. I think it depends more on the people rather than the religious belief they have. When it comes to religion a lot can be interpreted in many different ways.

I'm sorry too if I got a bit worked up, I'm pretty sensitive about these kinds of issues. I'm very much for equality and I can get upset easily when it comes to stuff like this.

I don't think it was random. If you think about other things in the previous books, there were a lot of hints, just that nobody really picked up on them. It didn't come out of nowhere at all. It was surprising, but it makes sense if you think about the previous books.

Making Nico gay does nothing other than show that being gay is normal. What do you think happens to all the gay children when they go through what Nico is going through? It's not a belief, homosexuality exists. It's a fact. Having a gay character is realistic.

Why I there a problem? Nico is gay, so what? He's still human (Well... half-human, but still) and has feelings. He has the free will to choose. Sorry to all those religious folk, but who gives a D*mn what you say? Gay is as right as straight is: Very! I can't see the problem in homosexual relationships! Bring in religion, and I will slap you ><

I'm angry at people who are bias to gays. When I was reading about wrestler Darren Young coming out, people said he was a perv and he should be ashamed. How dare they?!

You're clearly very misinformed about sexuality. Sexuality is not a choice, people don't choose to be gay. Did you choose who you're attracted to? No. And it's not a belief, it's a fact. People are gay. People are straight. Having one gay character is realistic.

Clearly Nico admired Percy a lot, people thought it was admiration, but we now know it wasn't. People thought he liked Annabeth, when in fact it was Percy he liked.

You couldn't find out Nico was gay when he was first introduced because he was a child - he was ten years old. How many children know who they're going to be attracted to at ten? Not many. Nico grew up through the books, and this is where his life has gone.

You talk about 'belief' it's not a belief, it's a sexuality. You can't disbelieve in something that's a fact. All gays ask for is to be equal. They don't care what you think about them, just as long as you don't take away their rights. It's called being a homophobe by the way. And you're totally allowed to be one, just like people are allowed to be racist, sexist and other forms of bigotry. Just don't expect people not to call you out when you're opinions (which quite frankly are horrible and you need to be told that because it's the truth) stop other people from being allowed to live their lives the way they want to.

No, it's not a choice. Please educate yourself. To say that you must believe that tomorrow you could decide your suddenly gay and you'd be completely able to find the same sex attractive.

If you're going to say horrible things, don't ask people not to tell you how horrible you're being. Either stick by what you're saying or don't say it. Possibly you're not a horrible person. I'm inclined to believe you, because you just sound totally ignorant when it comes to sexuality. You clearly know nothing about it. To think that people choose who they're attracted to is simply ludicrous.

Marriage used to be about slavery. Throughout history it has been changed to accept people when things change. You're saying gay people shouldn't get the same rights (to marry) as straight people should. That's pretty horrible.

Nobody chooses their sexuality. It's actually impossible. You can choose to pretend to be something you're not, and you could be bisexual and choose only to go for one sex over the other, or you can be pansexual, asexual or quite a few other sexualities. But you cannot choose to be a sexuality that you're not born as, you can only choose to act differently to what you're naturally inclined to.

It's not a belief. It's a fact. Sexuality is not something you can choose. And if you say something like this (that just because someone has a different sexuality they shouldn't have the same rights as other people) then you should be prepared for people to tell you the truth about it. Note I have never once called you a horrible person, only that what you have said is horrible.

Show me where I said you were horrible. I said you were ignorant and misinformed (which you clearly are about sexuality) and that what you'd said was horrible. Maybe you should stop being a jerk to people you don't even know, purely on the basis of their not being heterosexual.

There's a difference between not supporting something and outright opposing it. Nobody has said you should support gays, in fact I said you're allowed to think whatever you want. But when you say people shouldn't have the same rights as others based on their sexuality that's going beyond just believing what you believe. That's actively speaking against something.

You said they shouldn't be allowed to marry. Marriage is a right that people have.

I didn't say gays don't make choices. I said people don't choose their sexuality. Which they don't, it's impossible to do so. You can choose to pretend you find something attractive when you don't, but you can't force yourself to change your sexuality.

I have a feeling you're very young. So I'm going to end this conversation for tonight. I hope that when you grow up you'll perhaps learn that not everyone is the same and that people deserve equal rights regardless.

I'm already a grown up sweetheart. Hopefully by the time you are things will be more equal and one character is a book being gay won't be looked down upon by children.

"I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman" yes you did say that.

Okay Lauren, Scheechiibii was totally calm through out this conversation as she was while talking to me, while you sound very young, uniformed, and immature to be blunt. I am not cyberbullying but chill out and calm down. You don't know if being gay or not is a choice unless you are gay.