Lesbian Fiction's Hot New Stars: Secret Service Agents

Secret Service agents have become popular protagonists in lesbian romance mysteries because they embody traits readers covet, June Thomas writes for Slate. "They are the ultimate strong, silent type—they fade into the background without hiding, they keep their mouths shut, and they have your back," she observes. "Since our relationships aren't recognized by the state, we aren't always able to shield our partners from hardship."

The heroines of lesbian fiction have evolved over the years—in the 1950s, they had jobs that allowed them to wear trousers—and the contemporary incarnation is a telling one. "Braver, fitter, and more sensitive than a cop, more honorable than a PI, the Secret Service agent is the perfect romance paragon, particularly for lesbian readers," Thomas writes.
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