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Kit - Quality Control Editor

As a bi/aro/enby writer, it’s a wonderful chance to write the kind of stories I want to read and interact with fellow fans and creators! I hope to create more bisexual, aromantic, and non-binary lead characters that readers can relate to or can help others understand just how vast the gender and sexuality spectrum really is. It’s amazing to finally have so many great LGBTQA+ stories available and easy to find!

Chana - Typesetter

I really love how the LGBTQ webcomics have evolved to show queer characters as normal people where their sexuality or identity are just a part of who they are. Their entire existence isn't just that they are queer, or they are being fetishized. It shows readers they aren't alone and being LGBTQ doesn't have to define them or limit them. 

Joh - Typesetter

Through my work, I hope to help normalize, share acceptance and spread kindness! 

Representation is an amazing thing. The more we get represented in media, the more people learn and others can live without fear or boundaries.

And the STORIES! Be they based on true life, doused in fiction, action, fantasy, whatever! There are so many tales ready to be told with all kinds of relationship dynamics (romantic or platonic) and ways of life. I can't wait to read them ;D

Blaire - Quality Control Editor

I wish more members of the LGBTQ+ community would share their thoughts, worldviews, beliefs, and stories more to the world, not just to entertain, but to give a clearer view of what it really feels like to be a part of the community. That's what being a part of this industry mean to me. To be brave enough to share my life, to let others experience the beauty of being free. No apologies and absolutely no regrets. 

Tami - Early Access Manager

Being a part of the LGBTQ+ community as a comic creator is more than simply writing for a trendy genre. Through this medium I have found companionship, friendships and comfort in myself. While it might seem obvious, the people from the LGBTQ+ community have a shared experience and through comics we can exchange them more easily. Not to mention, there are plenty of people who belong to the community that aren’t storytellers and while they might not be able to share their experience themselves, having something to relate to is liberating. Within my stories I hope that I can teach people of all ages that there is more to love than what as been represented in media to this point. Without this community I wouldn't have met my creative partner and love of my life Bre Indigo, who has been on this journey with me.

Anonymous - Community Team

As someone who identifies as asexual, panromantic, and even then gets a bit skin crawly and scared to share these labels, I think it's really important that the LGBTQ+ community has a space where they feel safe and supported in the content they want to see and create. Comics was a big part of what helped me figure out my identity and made me feel safe to explore and share with others who were going through similar things. It also changed my views about identity and sexuality and help me be open to a lot of perspectives that I didn't understand in the past. I hope that with what I do, I can continue to help this community feel supported and realize that you can be successful in telling stories outside of what a straight cis audience might want to see.

Payton - Content Acquisitions

The best part about working in the webcomics industry and being LGBT to me is being able to help boost other LGBT webcomic creators who's voice might otherwise go unnoticed. Being a lesbian in particular gives me a unique voice in publishing as it allows me to give another perspective that might otherwise go unheard. I would love to work toward having tons of different LGBT stories to choose from in the publishing market, so that readers have all kinds of content to choose from, especially own voices content. I would love to work toward publishing more stories that have LGBT characters that aren't focused on romance, to quell the notion that there needs to be a "reason" for a character in media to be LGBT.

Eden - Production Manager

I've been involved with webcomics and transformative work for almost twenty years! Even as a kid surfing AOL, I was drawn to projects that are driven by the creator's own ambitions and personal preferences (Starfighter (HamletMachine, 2009-20) is one of my favorite comics of all time). As a Production Manager here at Tapas, it's my goal to help preserve freedom of expression for everyone in a media landscape where censorship, corporate interest, and moral panic often make it difficult or unsafe to share authentic, sexy, esoteric work if you're not a cishet man. As an artist, I'll quote Paul McCartney and say "I will continue to do what I want, when I want to." 

Roni - Customer Care Manager

Representation matters. As a black pansexual woman, I never imagined occupying space in the world of Anime, and I'm here for EVERY moment! 

I hope to use this platform as a bridge or a possibility model for children and adults with similar backgrounds and experiences. 

I love Tapas because we have a substantial collection of LGBTQ+ content, and we showcase it. 

We celebrate and recognize our LGBTQ+ creators and staff alike. I couldn't imagine working with a better company. 

Happy Pride, Folks!

Anonymous - Quality Control Editor 

I find that there are many fans of webcomics and webnovels who, like me, identify with the queer community in ways that are less understood by those not in the queer community. Through the stories highlighted by Tapas, we're able to connect through narrative, find representation, and connect to a broad spectrum of romance, sexuality (and asexuality), and interpersonal relationships on our own terms. Even though the ways in which we express our queerness are varied, can be messy, and don't fit into neat categories, we can interact with stories that represent and validate the expansive sum of our experiences. Through the work that I do at Tapas, I hope that I can help create and cultivate a space where all readers can connect through compelling stories that move people emotionally and help us all understand one another better.

Steve - Quality Control Editor

I identify as a cisgender, Queer Asian man and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community!  My experiences encountering homophobia growing up and witnessing all the injustices aimed at other members of the Queer community have made me want to better advocate for LGBTQ+ people who have often been marginalized. Through my role at Tapas, I always want to promote the use of inclusive language and address problematic narratives that diminish the wonderful identities of Queer people. I love reading and editing Queer stories and look forward to diving into more diverse narratives at Tapas!

Jade - Head of Localization

It's incredibly important to me that a spectrum of gender identity and sexual orientation is represented within our work and also within our team as well. In localizing series for the Tapas audience, we work hard to speak from an authentic place of self and understanding and diversity, with lives well-lived. Seeing stories of all manner of genders and peoples together, I think it's so important for readers to see love is love, and how there's so much humanity and sweetness and humor behind every romance, of people searching for love and acceptance. Working at Tapas, I can feel the rich array of experience from all my colleagues, and I hope that by sharing stories of the common travails of love, friendship, and hardships that we can bring people a little closer together.

We hope you enjoyed reading about Tapas team members in the webcomics and webnovels industry! Make sure to take part in our little raffle mentioned in the beginning of this article! 

Happy Pride Month!