Gay Comic Heroes

While the gay characters have been coming out of the closet slowly . .. ever so slowly, Marvel has continued to introduce them to us time and time again – from Northstar, to Bloke, to Wiccan & Hulkling, to Anole, to Rictor and Shatterstar.  When this happens, I am truly excited about the potential of showcasing the gay community as part of any community, but then the story or potential seems to fall to the side.  The gay aspect of the character seems almost all but forgotten.

But is that not how it should be?  While being gay is not all of who I am, it is one of the driving factors of my life.  My day-to-day decisions are (like everyone else) based upon my family – my partner.  It is something that I am proud of – and discriminated against.  It is something that I live with every day and realize every time I try to buy insurance for my partner, go to the movies, or (simply) go out to eat as a couple.

I appreciate Marvel introducing us to so many characters, and I applaud them for continuing to introduce us to them over the years.   I just ask that they don’t bench our being gay over fears of the majority.  It may be easier to appease the majority and simply place a set of huge boobs on the comic page (which there are plenty) and forget the characters sexuality.  However, such simple stories  help so many of us deal with who we are  and what we aspire to be.  Sometimes, a comic is the only friend a person has to confide in, and at times, Marvel helps us all cope with who we are.

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Tagged as: Comics, Marvel