It's legal in New York! The MARVELous Gay Wedding.

[Tev]

I want Dazzler to do the reception. (http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/05/22/x-men-gay-wedding-the-view/?google_editors_picks=true)

This morning, the ladies of The View confirmed a long-rumored wedding announcement: An openly gay member of the X-Men will propose to his partner, with the marriage scheduled to take place in Astonishing X-Men #51. The French Canadian superhero Northstar became Marvel’s first openly homosexual superhero in 1992, and although it took nearly two decades for the guy to get a boyfriend, give Marvel credit for diving headfirst into the gay marriage debate, even at the risk of a stern blog post by Bristol Palin. The ladies of The View had a relatively subdued reaction. Avowed comic book fan Whoopi Goldberg loved it. Joy Behar noted that X-Men is “a cutting-edge comic strip,” which is inaccurate in just so many ways, but also joked: “You think Batman and Robin could come out of the closet?”

Maybe so. In an interesting development Northstar isn’t the only gay superhero in the news today. According to the Daily Mail, DC co-publisher Dan DiDio revealed that one of his company’s heroes will reveal that they are, in fact, gay. DiDio didn’t specify who or when, but Courtney Simmons of DC told ABC News, “One of the major iconic DC characters will reveal that he is gay in a storyline in June.”(DC already has one of the most prominent lesbian characters in mainstream comics: Batwoman, a.k.a. Kate Kane, who headlined one of the coolest books of the ’00s.)

So yeah, sign of the times and all that. As a side note; who is the pick for DC's man of the hour?

[Kim]

I'm wagering it's Robin.

[Tev]

I want to toss my money on a Lantern, but I can't decide which one.

[CABAL49]

I could see Tim Drake being gay. But Batman has no room in his heart. He is married to Justice.

And totally Guy Gardner.

[Bells]

Maybe it's just me... but i really don't see this as something worthy of an "annoucement"...

Like, dude is gay... so what? move on.

I understand it's consider "news worthy", but to me, the more we deal with this as Something News Worthy, the less normal it gets. And that's what it really is to me... normal.

There are what? A couple hundred super heroes int he DC world? Multiple backgrounds, Backstorys, some of them from different countries, others from different planets, galaxies even freaking timelines... by statistic alone some are bound to be inclined towards some dick rubbin luv luv... i don't particulary cares, because that's something that should not (and normaly would not) change the character, his stories, adventures or what he stands for...

Unless they are aiming to have some sort of Storyline where a big hero calls out to being Gay and the public turns on him because of it and politicians start to target and smear him for it...

...which is not stupid per se. Just Comic Book stupid.

[Kim]

Maybe it's just me... but i really don't see this as something worthy of an "annoucement"...

I'm going to wager you're straight.

[Tev]

There are what? A couple hundred super heroes int he DC world? Multiple backgrounds, Backstorys, some of them from different countries, others from different planets, galaxies even freaking timelines... by statistic alone some are bound to be inclined towards some dick rubbin luv luv... i don't particulary cares, because that's something that should not (and normaly would not) change the character, his stories, adventures or what he stands for...Well the "problem" (and please don't think I'm insinuating that being gay is a problem) is that it is not one of the hundreds of DC heroes from time and space immemorial. It is one of the Iconic Characters...with a capitol I and C. As far as I know, most of DC's iconic line-up have pretty extensive back-stories that, while messed with all the time, are pretty consistent in the relationship department. Superman has Lois. When Batman's not fighting crime with Robin, he's either with Catwoman or Wonder Woman. The Lanterns....I'm not sure about their story.

Either way, it's "news" because people may be interested in the hand-waving and story manipulation needed for an iconic character to just drop all that background baggage and be revealed as gay. I mean, what if it's Batman? He's an icon. He's been at the middle of snarky fannon gay jokes for decades. Would it make a difference to me personally, if DC let him be the gay icon of comics? No, but I'd still be interested to see how it plays out across society and the media as a whole. It would be news worthy for that alone.

[Bells]

I'm going to wager you're straight.

True. But my point is that i wouldn't make a big deal of a character being gay, i would just let the character be... because it doesn't matter. Specially if you are a Super Hero, specially if your target audience is kids how could learn that they are not special (for better or for worst) for beign Gay, they are simply normal.

Not everybody needs to go through a turmoil of guilt and fear before coming out with being Homosexual... they can just be who they are. Of course i'm in a bit of a "Speech Nirvana" here, cause i know things don't work like that at all... but i wish we were moving towards that. A character can be straight, then meets someone, has feelings for them and... that's ok. Maybe a little confusing at first, but every change in behavior has an Awkward first phase..

Well the "problem" (and please don't think I'm insinuating that being gay is a problem) is that it is not one of the hundreds of DC heroes from time and space immemorial. It is one of the Iconic Characters...with a capitol I and C. As far as I know, most of DC's iconic line-up have pretty extensive back-stories that, while messed with all the time, are pretty consistent in the relationship department. Superman has Lois. When Batman's not fighting crime with Robin, he's either with Catwoman or Wonder Woman. The Lanterns....I'm not sure about their story.

Well, this is DC. And my Mind Structure for DC heroes is primarily taken from the Justice League Cartoons that i love (never followed the comics up close). So, by Major DC Hero, who are we talking about?

The Big 7 from the Justice League? (batman, Superman, wonder woman etc)
Or the B Tier heroes? (Green Arrow, Super Girl, Cpt Marvel and so on)
Or the tier C Heroes? (Booster Gold, Black Panther etc...)

Cause i would bet on the Tier C heroes for something like this...

[Professor Smarmiarty]

Guys I'm marrying Superman. Don't tell anyone.

[Kim]

True. But my point is that i wouldn't make a big deal of a character being gay, i would just let the character be... because it doesn't matter. Specially if you are a Super Hero, specially if your target audience is kids how could learn that they are not special (for better or for worst) for beign Gay, they are simply normal.

Not everybody needs to go through a turmoil of guilt and fear before coming out with being Homosexual... they can just be who they are. Of course i'm in a bit of a "Speech Nirvana" here, cause i know things don't work like that at all... but i wish we were moving towards that. A character can be straight, then meets someone, has feelings for them and... that's ok. Maybe a little confusing at first, but every change in behavior has an Awkward first phase..

It doesn't look like ANYONE has implied what you're assuming.

They're just saying a character is gonna be gay.

They're making a big deal out of it so more people will buy more of their comics. This is a shitty reason, but it gets them to do it so whatever. It's good for them to make a big deal out of it because 1. It lets people know that a hero they've followed forever is gonna be gay. 2. It offers some degree of comfort to gay people that hey people aren't pretending we're invisible anymore. 3. It pisses off bigots and fuck those fucking dicks.

The fact of the matter is something like this kinda is a big deal because popular culture is fucking terrible about representing minority groups.

One day it won't be a big deal because popular culture will be less fucking terrible, but until that day comes I am 100% okay with people treating it like the big deal it actually is.

[Bells]

well, yeah... i agree with all that. All those 3 points are good things and i actually do think that's what they are doing it. Specially near a Election after Obama came out in favor of Gay Marriage... and of course, there is the business aspect of it. Which is what really takes part of the spectacle.

What i was going into is that they still can have all that, without having it be a big deal... at least for me that would be an extra kick in the nuts of all bigots around... It's not a event, it's a normal thing. A Normal evolution of a beloved character. Deal with it. y'know? But of course... Marketing and Publicity factor in too...

[Ecks]

hey cool we are learning stuff about a superhero and who theyre attracted to no biggie

[Tev]

So, by Major DC Hero, who are we talking about?

The Big 7 from the Justice League? (batman, Superman, wonder woman etc)
Or the B Tier heroes? (Green Arrow, Super Girl, Cpt Marvel and so on)
Or the tier C Heroes? (Booster Gold, Black Panther etc...)

Cause i would bet on the Tier C heroes for something like this...While I can see them doing this with a C-list hero, I'd be disappointed. I'd settle for B-list though if I'm not going to get an A-lister.

[The Sevenshot Kid]

Well, this is DC. And my Mind Structure for DC heroes is primarily taken from the Justice League Cartoons that i love (never followed the comics up close). So, by Major DC Hero, who are we talking about?

The Big 7 from the Justice League? (batman, Superman, wonder woman etc)
Or the B Tier heroes? (Green Arrow, Super Girl, Cpt Marvel and so on)
Or the tier C Heroes? (Booster Gold, Black Panther etc...)

Black Panther is Marvel...

And, seriously, I'm calling Blue Beetle. No one gives a shit about Blue Beetle's book so it wouldn't hurt DC or the character's readership.

[CABAL49]

Bells, it matters for the simple fact that he is gay. I know they idea is that being gay is no big deal and we should treat everyone nice, but how is a LBGT geek supposed to feel if every comic book hero is hetero? It is not that different from when comics started introducing black characters (the stereotypes don't count). So yes there is a business aspect to it, but comics have often been at the forefront of social issues.

[POS Industries]

And, seriously, I'm calling Blue Beetle. No one gives a shit about Blue Beetle's book so it wouldn't hurt DC or the character's readership.
Given his recent awkward boner moment when fighting Bleez, I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess he's not DC's choice.

If it's not Tim Drake, I will be surprised. And, frankly, disappointed.

[Satan's Onion]

An openly gay member of the X-Men will propose to his partner...Is it wrong that, even though I give no shits about the X-Men, and even though what little I know of his history more or less rules it out entirely, I really really really want this partner to be Wolverine?

Actually, don't answer that. If wanting that is wrong, I don't wanna be right. :crossarms:

[pochercoaster]

Like, dude is gay... so what? move on.

I understand it's consider "news worthy", but to me, the more we deal with this as Something News Worthy, the less normal it gets. And that's what it really is to me... normal.


You're basically saying that something that isn't mainstream (i.e. gay comic book characters) BECOMING mainstream somehow makes it less normal. This, despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of published mainstream fictionalized relationships are heterosexual.

:wtf: This does not logic.

[Lumenskir]

Didn't DC already out a major A-List character. I mean, (1) It's in his name and (2) http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cf/MartianManhunterRossAlex.jpg/217px-MartianManhunterRossAlex.jpg...we can all see that if you remove the cape and give him human skin he's basically the runner-up during a leather pageant, right?

[Grimpond]

Reasons and stuff

What I am getting out of this is that I do not think mainstream means what you think it means.

[Bells]

Black Panther is Marvel...

And, seriously, I'm calling Blue Beetle. No one gives a shit about Blue Beetle's book so it wouldn't hurt DC or the character's readership.


Ops! Meant This guy
http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110829073732/batman/images/thumb/7/7a/Wildcat.JPG/281px-Wildcat.JPG

Although, it could be one of these guys

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/65/Hawkanddove.JPG

I mean, doesn't the JL already have all that stuff with Fire and Ice being kinda of a couple? Is that still going on?

This does not logic.

That's because it's not what i trying to say, what i was trying to say is that i wished we didn't have to treat this as a big deal, as some sort of big secret that will be revealed and deserves a tease to get people speculating and talking... it just stinks of poor Marketing to me. As soon as the "bomb" drops, it will be forgotten and become a non-issue anyway

[Masked Jedi]

Or the tier C Heroes? (Booster Gold, Black Panther etc...)


Holy shit I never thought of this before but it's totally Booster Gold. I mean just think about it.

[Intern Nin]

Holy shit I never thought of this before but it's totally Booster Gold. I mean just think about it.

Oh, the internet has thought about it. Thought about it at length and then wrote a billion steamy Blue&Gold fics to litter tumblr with. But I doubt it's him simply because it would be too darn easy to say Booster "I'm never out of arm's reach from Ted if I can help it" Gold is gay. It's like, what else is new?

Personally, my money's on either Jimmy Olsen or the newest Dial H for Hero guy. And maybe Shazam. The wizard not Captain Marvel.

[Seil]

See now, this thread has got me thinking about when the last time CoM, CoL was updated.

So thanks for that.

[Xellos]

I just hope they don't cop-out and do one of the joke heroes that no one takes seriously. Ya know, just so they can say "Here we, did it". Don't get me wrong, though, any "major" hero coming out is still pretty exciting.

[Token]

General /co/nsensus is that it's gonna be Earth 2's Alan Scott, which is nice and safe, seeing as it doesn't affect the "important" comics.

[Bells]

General /co/nsensus is that it's gonna be Earth 2's Alan Scott, which is nice and safe, seeing as it doesn't affect the "important" comics.

While at the same time hitting it as a Green Lantern (Iconic Character) and a central character at the new 52, plus (i suppose) trying to compensate somehow for the Green Lanter movie sucking so hard (no innuendo)...

...well that's actually kinda clever!

[Token]

He's not really central at all in the new 52 though, which is why it's sort of a cop-out. Yeah, on one hand, it's ballsy of them to make a Golden Age character gay, but at the same time, he's off on an alternate dimension that'll have one ongoing, and a couple of mini-series here and there- and he's not even gonna be in all of them!

[Amake]

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqvc3ua1611qi4ab0o1_500.jpg. But okay I guess Apollo and the Midnighter aren't part of the "main continuity" so they don't count as much as icons as the "real" icons, despite being created by Warren Ellis.

There was a bit of a problem with these guys though. While Mr. Ellis wrote them we got a couple of subdued scenes like the one above that hinted at their relationship. Later on less subtle writers coughmarkmillarcough would manage to turn everything they ever did and talked about about them being gay; they turned from two-dimensional characters to "those stereotypical gay guys doing stereotypical gay stuff (with superpowers!)"

It's all well and good to have homosexual superheroes, including and especially in the highest ranks of iconic superheroes, and to draw media attention to them. But you do run the risk of immature writers getting all confuseds about how they're supposed to write these characters that a) they don't understand on any level and b) are politically important enough to make any writer self-conscious, and we end up with bad writing as well as unflattering portrayals of homosexuals and homosexuality. And grown-up writers are kind of a rarity in the publisher-owned comic books scene.

Now given that they're outing "one of the major iconic DC characters" it's going to be one that will be handled by many different writers in many different stories in the years to come. There will likely be some good and some bad. We can hope the good will be remembered better than the bad. In any other business that might be a given, but the comics business is weird. I'm going to leave you with two words which will worry and frighten you:

Rob Liefeld.

[Amake]

By the way Green Lantern would make a great cop-out choice. No matter which Green Lantern, even the current main-continuity one can be replaced. The GL corps doesn't need much of an excuse, it can pretty much be justified as unfathomable ancient space alien logic, and they'll appoint any earthling as Green Lantern at any time they like. You can figure out where this will lead.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

They should make it Luthor. It'd explain so much.

[Tev]

They should make it Luthor. It'd explain so much.He and Superman already have a kid.....
http://images.wikia.com/youngjustice/images/4/47/Superboy.png

[The Sevenshot Kid]

If they just reveal the New 52 Apollo as being gay and act like it's a big deal, I will march down to DC's office and rip their dicks off.

[Nikose Tyris]

...So we're just pretending like Wiccan and Hulkling don't matter? :(

[Intern Nin]

...So we're just pretending like Wiccan and Hulkling don't matter? :(

That's Marvel. We're talking DC here, man.

[DarkDrgon]

also, they don't

[POS Industries]

Nin, your sig is too huge.

The relevant part of your post is being consumed by quote boxes.

[A Zarkin' Frood]

I want it to be Superman.
Because really, that might make the character at least somewhat interesting when he's not written by Grant Morrison.

EDIT: My post count is now my birth year. I was born in the year superman came out of the closet. Remember that.

[Tev]

I haven't seen where it was announced yet, but according to Shortpacked, it's totally one of the Lanterns.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

It's been announced. It's Alan Scott

[Lumenskir]

It's been announced almost everywhere pop-culture affiliated since last week. Like, here, (http://www.grantland.com/blog/hollywood-prospectus/post/_/id/50594/the-green-lantern-comes-out-well-a-green-lantern) and here (http://www.avclub.com/articles/green-lantern-is-gay-now,79192/) and so on.

And, just in case you were wondering, everyone else has already made every variation of the "Weak to Wood" joke.

[Satan's Onion]

So, not Wolverine.

I never get what I want.

:(

[CABAL49]

Is he even still a Green Lantern? My ex-roommate was really into Green Lantern, and I don't know of anything recent that he had of Alan Scott. He wasn't even a real Green Lantern.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

He's still kicking it on retroworld, earth 2. Which is pretty much why they chose him- he not in any of the important comics.

[Amake]

Imagine Friends circa season 7 with like half a season of build up along the lines of "Who's gay? Stay tuned to find out!" and then it's the fat naked guy across the street that's never seen and only ever referred to as "fat naked guy".

This is what I thought when I read the news.

[Sifright]

So, not Wolverine.

I never get what I want.

:(

Don't worry theres always fanfiction for that!