I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the text of the Ace Attorney games and how they present (and largely don’t present) queer issues and drawing conclusions about the society from that. This has impacted my writing of In Justice We Trust and how queer issues are presented in it.
A few people picked up on Miles and Phoenix keeping their relationship secret, and wondered why– and this is the reason. It’s not considered “professional” to be in a gay relationship. The California of Phoenix Wright isn’t exactly homophobic– but it’s not progressive either, at least in my interpretation.
My biggest factors in reaching the judgement that being queer or gay isn’t something talked about in Phoenix’s LA are:
— The discussion of Aura and Metis’ relationship at the trial. How it’s obvious to everyone what’s going on, but they’re embarrassed to explain it to the judge.
— The presentation of queer stereotypes such as Florent L’belle and Jean Armstrong, and how no one ever calls them out as queer, and no one outright treats them poorly for it, but they are shamed and made fun of for the stereotypes that they embody.
— The idea of a same sex relationship as a possibility is never even referenced in the game. The closest we get to our characters speaking of the existence of queer characters is Aura and Metis.
So yes, unfortunately I very much take away an impression of a very closeted society– which is a narrative theme in my fic writing.
