Gay people in comics

[lurkerwithout]

kalinara had a recent post on her blog on Sexuality in Comics, that was a response to a thread on the newsarama forums (which I won't bother with a link for, since if you can't guess how a comics forum thread reacts to mention of homosexuality you haven't been on the internet ever before). And the comments to HER post some anon troll questions WHY there should be diversity in regards to sexuality in comics (well mainstream supers comics at least). People respond with various reasons. It better reflects actual people if supers have a diverse make-up (racially, sexually, etc) beyond the standard white Americans. Another arguement made is that diversity leads to a greater range of possible stories, which is good in and of itself. All of which doesn't matter, since the anon IS a troll and so they just want to continue argueing side topics and what not...

But ignoring the likely motivation of the person who asked the initial question there is another reason to encourage writers, companies, etc to have more gay characters. And fully fleshed characters, not just token "the gay one" types. Because the more common and normal homosexuality is made in ANY form of media, the more it will become "normal" to the mass overculture. The more diversity, whether its religious, race, sexuality, gender or social; is shown and made mainstream, the more likely it is TO BECOME MAINSTREAM. Where the concept of gay marriage is met with a shrug rather than a need to attempt to amend the constitution. Where the sight of two guys or two girls kissing isn't shocking or titillating, its just another annoying Public Display of Affection...

Yes, supers comics are just a small segment of the mass entertainment media. But every small step towards making "alternate" cultures just another part of the mainstream is a good step...

Comments

[iamza.livejournal.com]

I'd love to read comics featuring gay couples where there isn't a kind of a nod/wink attitude to the relationship. "Oh, look, she's gay for her team-mate, isn't that titillating and amusing!"

A character's sexuality should not be the main plot-point driving every. single. story in which that character appears. When it isn't, I'll know we've hit that homosexuality=normal mode you mention in your post.

[seanmonster.livejournal.com]

This post reminded me of a conversation I had awhile back;

"Apollo and Midnighter are like a gay version of Superman and Batman."

"Really? I thought Superman and Batman were the gay Superman and Batman."

Which had me Googling for Apollo and Midnighter art, where I found this article on the very subject you're talking about.

Karmic.

I agree with you, btw.