"It's disgusting to have gay characters in comics!"

 (Image of Superman kissing a purple haired person, supposedly male or nonbinary)

 

“Are you ready for some liberal indoctrination to your kids? Recently DC comics revealed that superman will be bisexual in the November issue. They said he will in fact be in a same-sex relationship while combating climate crisis and protesting against the deportation of refugees. The series writer said, ‘the idea of replacing clark kent with another straight white savior felt like a missed opportunity. Now as a gay man, I find this absolutely disgusting. The fact that they are trying to force feed the gay agenda down children’s throats at such a young age is absolutely despicable. I don’t believe that children should be involved in any sexual topic, whether it’s straight or gay. Not only are they force-feeding this gay agenda down children’s throat, they’re also trying to politicize the children with refugee protesting and climate change. There’s absolutely no need to involve children in any of those topics in a comic book. Also should we point out the stereotypical gay that they used? Like what is this? (superman kissing a purple haired person) Shame on you if you let your children read this.”

 

There’s a lot to unpack here, and a hell of a lot wrong with this.

 

Number 1, what age are we talking about? You say children, but we could be talking about 13 or 16 year olds whom are at the age of exploring their own sexuality.

Secondly, you’re saying that you don’t think children should see sexual stuff whether it’s gay or straight. Whenever there are straight sexuality in any comics, books, video games, shows, movies you never ever speak out against it. So you’re a bad liar. You’re just a self-hating gay.

Thirdly, what is the problem here? Superman kissing a guy. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s not like they’re fellating each other. Simply kissing is not the same as having sex.

I did not know this because I never paid attention to DC comics, but here’s a thing; The recent reveal that Superman's son Jon Kent is bisexual in the DC Comics series has sparked both celebration and controversy. While some have expressed outrage and accused DC Comics of pushing a "gay agenda," others have hailed the move as a long-overdue step towards greater representation and inclusivity in comics. As with any instance of increased diversity in media, the backlash against this development reflects broader societal attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community. However, the benefits of such representation far outweigh the unfounded concerns of critics.

First and foremost, seeing themselves authentically represented in media helps LGBTQ+ young people validate their experiences. In a world where they have historically been marginalized or erased, the presence of queer characters in comics can be a lifeline for young LGBTQ+ readers. It sends the message that they exist, they matter, and they deserve to have their stories told. This is especially crucial during adolescence, a time when many people begin to explore their own sexuality.

Critics of the move argue that sexuality has no place in comics, particularly those read by children. However, this perspective is both dishonest and harmful. It is dishonest because it ignores the fact that straight sexuality has long been present in comics. It is harmful because it contributes to the stigmatization of queer identities and tells LGBTQ+ youth that their experiences are inappropriate or shameful. A simple kiss between two characters of the same gender is not sexual content; it is a depiction of love and affection that straight characters have been expressing since the dawn of time.

The charge that making Superman's son bisexual is a form of liberal indoctrination is also baseless. There is no such thing as a "gay agenda" aimed at converting people to homosexuality. The goal of representation is simply to reflect the diversity of the real world, where LGBTQ+ people have always existed. Seeing gay or trans characters in media does not make someone gay or trans; it merely acknowledges that homosexuality and transgender or transexuality exists and is valid.

Furthermore, the argument that comics should avoid politics is unsustainable. Comics have a long history of addressing social and political issues, from racism and sexism to war and inequality. Superman himself was created by two Jewish teenagers as a response to the rise of fascism in the 1930s. The character's commitment to truth, justice, and the American way has always been political. His support for refugees and action on climate change are natural extensions of these values.

The backlash against Jon Kent's bisexuality is not really about the character himself, but about the fear of change and the persistence of homophobia. It is telling that critics are not similarly outraged by the many straight characters in comics. Their objections stem from a desire to maintain the status quo, in which straight, cisgender, white male characters have dominated the medium.

However, comics have always evolved to reflect the times. The industry has been calling for more diverse characters to shatter outdated stereotypes and better represent the world we live in. This shift is not about erasing classic characters, but about adding new voices and perspectives to the mix. It is about recognizing that everyone deserves to see themselves in the heroes they admire.

The X-Men franchise offers a powerful parallel to the struggles of LGBTQ+ individuals. The mutant gene has been interpreted as an allegory for homosexuality, with mutants facing persecution and discrimination due to aspects of their identities they cannot change. This reflects the real-world experiences of many LGBTQ+ people, who have historically been marginalized and oppressed due to their sexual orientations or gender identities. The themes of coming out, acceptance, and the fight for equality that run through the X-Men comics and films resonate deeply with the LGBTQ+ community.

The decision to make Jon Kent bisexual is a positive step towards a more inclusive future for comics. It will undoubtedly make a difference for the LGBTQ+ young people who see themselves in his story. The backlash it has received reflects the work that still needs to be done to combat homophobia and bisexual erasure. However, with more characters like Jon on the way, the future of comics looks brighter than ever for queer readers. As with any civil rights movement, progress may be slow, but it is inevitable. And just as Superman fights for a better world, we must continue to fight for a comics industry that welcomes and empowers all people, regardless of their sexuality.

And why should we not be concerned about refugees? Or climate change? Refugees are still human beings who are escaping problems of their country that is going through war or whatever. Climate crisis is real. I didn’t personally believe it, but I think it is and I think, “why should it be a bad thing to be concerned to want to take care of our planet?”

You should be ashamed of yourself. You think we should never exist and be hidden away from the world and pretending that children are fragile that knowing that gays exist would destroy them somehow.

You don’t have to read a comic book that accepts LGBT people. No one is depriving you of reading comics you knew and love that contained straights.