Gay Novels vs Novels with Gay Characters

What's more authentic literature? Gay Novels or Novels with Gay Characters? Are they both legitimate genres and why or why not? Do you have a favorite "coming out" book? Or a romantic lesbian novel? How about a favorite book with a major gay characters in it? Does the character being gay add something to the story a straight character couldn't? It's almost impossible to read current fiction without there being a gay or lesbian character, and perhaps even an affair with someone gay or lesbian. Is there a new sub-culture forming across America that's very metro-sexual? What's your take on this?
[The word "Gay" here is only meant to mean gay men or lesbians.]

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