Okay, so it's a bit cliched, but one supporting character in my story is from a conservative planet and has a conservative religion that "doesn't approve" of gay people. The religion might be a version of a real-world religion, or might be a little modified. She actually thinks of herself as more moderate than most members of her religion, but is kinda ignorant.
Anyway, she finds out that one of the main characters (a good friend of hers) is gay and in a relationship with another woman (who is also an alien, which adds to this supporting character's discomfort.) She's not an ultra-homophobe, but she definitely doesn't approve and thinks her friend is making a big mistake.
I know that "conservative religion" doesn't automatically mean any sort of problem with gay people, and that I could basically leave out the homophobia entirely, and I might end up doing that, but right now, I'm writing it with that little conflict left in. (And also, I know I could just have her express a problem with interspecies dating, but I want some of the other characters who have a problem with the interspecies part to feel a little awkward about this character adding the homophobia part.)
So, are there any pitfalls or ultra-cliches I should avoid? I want the character to be somewhat homophobic of the well-meaning sort who was really sheltered growing up, but I don't want her to be a walking stereotype or a straw man. And I haven't read a lot of books with homophobic characters in them, so I don't know all of the worn-out cliches.
(And yes, I know having a token homophobe in a story with gay characters is a cliche itself, but my gut instinct says it's what fits best.)
Anyway, she finds out that one of the main characters (a good friend of hers) is gay and in a relationship with another woman (who is also an alien, which adds to this supporting character's discomfort.) She's not an ultra-homophobe, but she definitely doesn't approve and thinks her friend is making a big mistake.
I know that "conservative religion" doesn't automatically mean any sort of problem with gay people, and that I could basically leave out the homophobia entirely, and I might end up doing that, but right now, I'm writing it with that little conflict left in. (And also, I know I could just have her express a problem with interspecies dating, but I want some of the other characters who have a problem with the interspecies part to feel a little awkward about this character adding the homophobia part.)
So, are there any pitfalls or ultra-cliches I should avoid? I want the character to be somewhat homophobic of the well-meaning sort who was really sheltered growing up, but I don't want her to be a walking stereotype or a straw man. And I haven't read a lot of books with homophobic characters in them, so I don't know all of the worn-out cliches.
(And yes, I know having a token homophobe in a story with gay characters is a cliche itself, but my gut instinct says it's what fits best.)