Alexander McCall Smith, the best-selling author is to introduce gay characters into his books.

The author, who is best known for The No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, said that he hoped to encourage greater acceptance of the gay community.

“I take the view that gay people should be treated in fiction in the same way as everyone else – with the courtesy and respect we should all show to each other. I do not like hurtful or cruel portrayals of any group.”

The gay characters will feature in his 44 Scotland Street and Sunday Philosophy Club series.

McCall Smith, who is a passionate supporter of HIV charities, insisted that including gay characters would not alter the general tenor of his books, which are renowned for their simple, homespun morality. However, he risks alienating some readers. When J. K. Rowling revealed at a reading in New York last year that Dumbledore in Harry Potter was gay she provoked protests from Christians.

Peter Tatchell, the gay rights campaigner, welcomed McCall Smith’s announcement. “I guess a lot of writers and publishers have been afraid of alienating readers who they assumed to be homophobic. But in recent years the taboo has begun to fade.”

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