Jacqueline Wilson is ‘delighted’ she’s considered ‘gay icon’ after coming out
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Jacqueline Wilson expressed her happiness at being recognized as a gay icon.
The 78-year-old writer publicly revealed her sexuality in 2020 by sharing that she was in a relationship with her partner, Trish Beswick.
In her latest book, Think Again, the author addresses the topic of same-sex relationships through a character who develops romantic feelings for another woman.
In March, Wilson revealed that she would be launching her latest book, aimed at adults, which continues the story of her Girls series. This new installment follows Ellie, Magda, and Nadine—her once-teenage characters—as they tackle challenges related to motherhood, careers, and romance.
"I'm genuinely moved to be considered a gay icon; it's truly a wonderful honor," she shared with the BBC.
She mentioned that while she won't be out waving a rainbow flag, she fully supports and appreciates those who do.
Even though the beloved author admits that she could have included a gay character in her earlier writings, she believed that doing so might have led to a greater negative response.
"There used to be a lot more shock and surprise when Jacqueline wrote about someone who identified as gay, but today, it's not seen as such a big deal," she explained.
In the novel, Ellie separates from her husband and begins a romantic relationship with a woman, reflecting some of Wilson’s personal experiences.
"I know some people might see similarities, but that wasn't my goal at all. I was simply exercising my creativity when I wrote the book," she explained.
She emphasized that sexuality is intricate, stating, "We shouldn't limit our thinking to just being straight or gay. I’m not saying we should constantly switch back and forth, but for my generation, it wasn't obvious that you could be attracted to people of various backgrounds. Clearly, we've matured significantly in our understanding."
Wilson is recognized for her popular Girls book series, as well as titles like The Story of Tracy Beaker, Sleepovers, Dustbin Baby, and more than 100 others. In the UK, more than 40 million copies of her books have been sold, and her works have been translated into over 34 languages.
The initial four-book series called Girls kicked off in 1997 with Girls in Love. It continued with Girls Under Pressure in 1998, followed by Girls Out Late in 1999, and wrapped up with Girls in Tears in 2002.
