we do not see queer romances in quantity until queer publishers begin producing queer works. And queer publishers emerged from the nascent queer activist movement in the second half of the twentieth century. That is, what it took for queer literature to reflect a positive and affirming life for queers was the formation of a community nationwide who could speak with one voice, demanding to be viewed as normal human beings deserving of the right to live and love freely. (392)