The Bt Gay Comic Book Characters History

Contents:

• THE SEVEN BIGGT GAY MOMENTS MARVEL COMICS HISTORYTHERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF QUEER MOMENTS, SOME BETTER THAN {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}NEWSBY LYLE MASAKINOVEMBER 15, 2007/3:41 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}MARVEL/COMPOSE BY JEFF TAYLORBY LYLE MASAKINOVEMBER 15, 2007 / 3:41 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"THE SEVEN BIGGT GAY MOMENTS MARVEL COMICS HISTORY","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2007-11-15T20:41:28.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2007-11-15T20:41:28.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"LYLE MASAKI","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT, BOOKS, ART","ARTICLESECTN":"NEWS"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WH MARVEL ANNOUNCG THAT THEY WERE MAKG AN ONLE ARCHIVE OF THEIR ICS AVAILABLE TO SUBSCRIBERS, I THOUGH 'D BE WORTH NOTG THE PANY'S SIGNIFINT MOMENTS S HISTORY WH GAY CHARACTERS. SCE MARVEL DON'T HAVE A PLETE LIST OF ALL THE ICS AVAILABLE TO SUBSCRIBERS, I N'T TELL IF ANY OF THE ICS N BE READ THROUGH THE NEW SERVICE. HOWEVER, IF THE SERVICE SUCCEEDS, HOPEFULLY 'LL GET MORE NTENT TO OFFER. (I'D BE TEMPTED TO SUBSCRIBE THAT SE -- THERE ARE PLENTY OF "SO BAD 'S GOOD" STORI OM THE GRIM 'N GRTY ERA THAT I MIGHT ENJOY READG BUT WOULDN'T RE TO OWN.) THERE'S A LTLE B OF GOOD, A LTLE B OF BAD AND A LOT OF "WELL, WAS PROGRS AT THE TIME." IN ORR TO KEEP THE BT MOMENTS ABOVE THE CUT, LET'S START WH THE MOST RECENT EVENTS:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HULKG AND WICN'S (SEMI-)BOTCHED G {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FROM: YOUNG AVENGERS #7 (2005){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A LOT OF THE BUZZ ON THE EARLY ISSU OF YOUNG AVENGERS FOCED ON THE RELATNSHIP BETWEEN HULKLG AND ASGARDIAN. THEIR BANTER SOUND A LOT LIKE A SUPERHERO UPLE, BUT SCE THE EARLY ISSU OF YOUNG AVENGERS DIDN'T SHOW THE TEAM'S DOWNTIME, THERE WAS PLENTY OF ROOM FOR BATE (CLUDG SPECULATN THAT HULKLG WOULD TURN OUT TO BE AN YOUNG WOMAN DRAWN TO LOOK SEXUALLY AMBIGUO) IF THEY REALLY WERE A GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PART OF THE NFN ME BEE SUPERHERO IC REARS STILL AREN'T ED TO SEEG SAME-SEX UPL WRTEN THE SAME AS AN OPPOSE-SEX UPLE, SO WHEN A UPLE OF GAY CHARACTERS WERE TRODUCED WHOUT FANFARE WAS STILL SURPRISG. SOON AFTER THE RELATNSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO YOUNG MEN BEME CLEAR, THE TEAM CID THEY HAD TO LET THEIR PARENTS KNOW ABOUT THEIR SUPERHERO ACTIVI. HOWEVER, BILLY AND TED'S ATTEMPT AT G OUT WAS MISTAKEN FOR A MORE TYPIL KD OF G OUT. THE TLE WOULD LATER GO ON TO BE ONE OF THE FEW MARVEL TL TO W A GLAAD MEDIA AWARD, WHICH EQUENTLY GO TO PENNT OR DC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ULTIMATE COLOSS IS FALLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FROM: ULTIMATE X-MEN #65 (2005){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN MARVEL TRODUCED THE ULTIMATE UNIVERSE 2001, TRODUCED FAIAR CHARACTERS AND STORI WH NEW PERSPECTIV AND TWISTS. FOR YEARS ULTIMATE X-MEN REARS GOT HTS THAT THE ULTIMATE VERSN OF COLOSS WAS GAY -- MOST VOLVED COLOSS PLAYG TO STEREOTYP OR TEAMMAT MAKG SNARKY MENTS ABOUT ALISON BLAIRE'S CHANC WH HIM (SHE HAD AN OBV CSH). WHEN WE FALLY GOT NFIRMATN OF COLOSS' SEXUAL ORIENTATN ( THE FORM OF HIM ACCEPTG A DATE WH NORTHSTAR) WAS A PRETTY WELG MOMENT, PECIALLY SCE THE MASTREAM VERSN OF COLOSS WAS A CHARACTER THAT STRAIGHT, MALE REARS OF X-MEN TL INTIFIED. A SAFER CHOICE ULD HAVE BEEN MA FOR A MUTANT TO BE RE-IMAGED AS GAY, BUT ULTIMATE X-MEN CREATORS HAPPILY PICKED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE RAWHI KID IS RE-IMAGED AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FROM: THE RAWHI KID (2003){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN MARVEL TRODUCED S SHORT-LIVED MAX LE OF ICS AIMED FOR MATURE REARS, THAT CLUD A NUMBER OF TL THAT MIXED FAIAR NCEPTS WH "MATURE" AMOUNTS OF VLENCE AND SEXUALY (WHICH, SADLY, DID NOT CLU A PROMISG BUFFY-SPIRED REVAMP OF ROMANCE IC NIGHT NURSE). IN 2003, MARVEL DREW MEDIA NTROVERSY OVER A MI-SERI THAT SAW WTERN IC IN THE RAWHI KID AS GAY. UNFORTUNATELY, MANY REARS WERE DISAPPOTED TO FD THAT THE IC WAS FUELED BY STEREOTYP AND NUENDO-BASED HUMOR. WORSE, THERE WAS LTLE MERG THE "EXPLIC CONTENT" WARNG ASI OM THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT THE CHARACTER WAS GAY, SUGGTG A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE TLE GOT PLENTY OF MEDIA VERAGE THANKS TO NTROVERSY OM ANTI-GAY MEDIA ACTIVISTS WHO THK OF ICS AS A MEDIUM BELONGG STRICTLY FOR CHILDREN. ONE POPULAR (AND POLILLY NSERVATIVE) WRER, CHUCK DIXON, EVEN ACCED MARVEL OF TRICKG THE RAWHI KID'S ARTIST TO WORKG ON THE GAY-THEMED IC. THREE YEARS LATER, THE SERI IGNED MORE NTROVERSY WHEN MARVEL EDOR-IN-CHIEF JOE QUADA MENTNED AN TERVIEW THAT, DUE TO THE RAWHI KID FUROR, ANY TLE STARRG A GAY CHARACTER WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A "MATURE REARS" WARNG -- A MENT THAT LEFT SOME WORRIED (SCE MARVEL WASN'T PUBLISHG MATURE REARS TL ANYMORE) THAT GAY CHARACTERS WERE BEG SPECIFILLY EXCLUD AT THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NORTHSTAR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FROM: ALPHA FLIGHT #106 (1992){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE G OUT OF NORTHSTAR WAS A MIXED BAG. IT WAS AN IMPORTANT MOMENT TERMS OF GAY VISIBILY, BUT HAD SO MANY DOWNSIS. MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE STORY FULLY FALLS TO SO-BAD-'S-GOOD TERRORY. THE IC STARS WH NORTHSTAR'S TEAM, ALPHA FLIGHT, FDG A BABY FECTED WH HIV. WHEN HE CIS TO RE FOR , THE POSIVE MEDIA VERAGE ANGERS A RETIRED CANADIAN SUPERHERO, MAJOR MAPLELEAF, TO ATTACKG ALPHA FLIGHT. THE MAJOR'S FURY, TURNS OUT, IS FUELED BY MEMORI OF HIS SON'S ATH OM AIDS PLITNS, A ATH IGNORED BY THE MEDIA BEE HAPPENED TO A GAY MAN (MAKG HIM HATE HIV-POSIVE BABI WHO GET BETTER TREATMENT THE MEDIA). NORTHSTAR F MAJOR MAPLELEAF'S ANGER BY ANNOUNCG THAT HE, TOO, IS GAY. NO, THAT ISSUE DO NOT MAKE ANY MORE SENSE IF YOU READ THE ACTUAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BEYOND THAT, HOWEVER, THE STORY BROUGHT ABOUT OTHER PROBLEMS. THE STORY HAPPENED TO CI WH THE WRER LEAVG THE SERI, A CINCE THAT FUELED SPECULATN THAT HE WAS FIRED FOR THE STORY. THE WAY NORTHSTAR WAS HANDLED AFTERWARDS WAS ALSO PRETTY BAD, WH STORI THAT CLUD AN ILLNS (THAT WAS MEANT TO BE REVEALED AS AIDS), AN UNREQUED CSH ON A STRAIGHT MAN AND A NTROVERSY-URTG STORYLE WHERE HE DI AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LARRY BODE'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FROM: NEW MUTANTS #45 (1986){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE NOT SPECIFILLY GAY-THEMED, THE POWERFUL "WE WERE ONLY FOOL" WAS A MAJOR MOMENT FOR GAY REARS. IT TOLD THE STORY OF LARRY BODE, A STUNT PICKED ON AT HIS HIGH SCHOOL FOR BEG THE NEW GUY. HE IS TNTED BY BULLI WHO LL HIM A MUTANT AS A GENERIC SULT, BUT TURNS OUT THAT LARRY ACTUALLY IS A MUTANT. THKG HIS SECRET IS KNOWN AND UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO AL WH BEG A MUTANT, LARRY KILLS HIMSELF. THE STORY ENDS WH ONE OF THE MOST MOVG SCEN X-MEN HISTORY WHEN KTY PRY LOGIZ LARRY:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHO WAS HE, THEN, THAT WE GATHER TO MOURN HIM? WHO AM I? A FOUR-EYED, FLAT-CHTED, BRAT, CHICK, BRA, HEBE, STUCK-UP XAVIER'S SNOB EAK! DON'T LIKE THE WORDS? I ULD E NICER. I'VE HEARD WORSE. WHO HERE HASN'T? SO OFTEN, SO SUALLY, THAT MAYBE WE'VE FOTTEN THE POWER THEY HAVE TO HURT. NIGGER, SPIC, WOP, SLOPE, FAGGOT, MUTIE--THE LIST IS SO LONG. AND SO CEL. THEY'RE LABELS. PUT DOWNS. AND THEY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WE WERE ONLY FOOL" WAS A POWERFUL STORY FOR GAY REARS SCE THE OUTSIR METAPHOR OF ANTI-MUTANT HYSTERIA APPLIED PARTICULARLY WELL TO THE GAY EXPERIENCE. FOR MANY GAY REARS, KTY'S CLN OF AN GAY SLUR HER LIST OF HATEFUL WORDS WAS A QUIET ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT THE X-MEN'S ANGST WAS MEANT FOR THEM, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AURORA MEETS RAYMON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FROM: ALPHA FLIGHT #7-8 (1984){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR YEARS, AN EARLY SCENE OM ALPHA FLIGHT'S HISTORY WAS ALL WE HAD SHOWG THAT NORTHSTAR WAS MEANT TO BE GAY. IN THE TWO-PART STORY HE TRODUC HIS SISTER TO A "SPECIAL IEND" WHO AURORA ISN'T SO QUICK TO ACCEPT AND IS, STEAD, QUICK TO NMN FOR HIS FLUENCE ON HER BROTHER. WHEN RAYMON IS LATER KILLED BY A SUPERVILLA, NORTHSTAR'S REACTN IS VERY STRONG, FURTHERG SPICN THAT THERE WAS MORE TO THE RELATNSHIP THAN BEG JT IENDS. IN HDSIGHT, A LOT OF THE HTS TOWARDS NORTHSTAR'S SEXUAL ORIENTATN PLAYS TO GAY STEREOTYP BUT AT THE TIME WAS A MAJOR STEP TOWARDS GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BCE BANNER IS NEARLY ASSLTED A YMCA {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FROM: HULK MAGAZE #23 (1980){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS STORY BY FORMER EDOR--CHIEF JIM SHOOTER IS SEEN AS A NOTABLE LOW POT FOR MARVEL'S TREATMENT OF GAY CHARACTERS. WHILE POSIVE PICTNS OF OPENLY GAY CHARACTERS WEREN'T ALLOWED AT THE TIME, THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO EXCLU A STORY WHERE A UPLE OF EFFEMATE MEN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• 15 OPENLY GAY MARVEL CHARACTERS THAT MIGHT BE COMG TO THE MCU
• 10 IMPORTANT GAY MOMENTS COMIC BOOK HISTORY
• IS CAPTA MARVEL GAY?

THE SEVEN BIGGT GAY MOMENTS MARVEL COMICS HISTORYTHERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF QUEER MOMENTS, SOME BETTER THAN {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}NEWSBY LYLE MASAKINOVEMBER 15, 2007/3:41 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}MARVEL/COMPOSE BY JEFF TAYLORBY LYLE MASAKINOVEMBER 15, 2007 / 3:41 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"THE SEVEN BIGGT GAY MOMENTS MARVEL COMICS HISTORY","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2007-11-15T20:41:28.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2007-11-15T20:41:28.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"LYLE MASAKI","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT, BOOKS, ART","ARTICLESECTN":"NEWS"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WH MARVEL ANNOUNCG THAT THEY WERE MAKG AN ONLE ARCHIVE OF THEIR ICS AVAILABLE TO SUBSCRIBERS, I THOUGH 'D BE WORTH NOTG THE PANY'S SIGNIFINT MOMENTS S HISTORY WH GAY CHARACTERS. SCE MARVEL DON'T HAVE A PLETE LIST OF ALL THE ICS AVAILABLE TO SUBSCRIBERS, I N'T TELL IF ANY OF THE ICS N BE READ THROUGH THE NEW SERVICE. HOWEVER, IF THE SERVICE SUCCEEDS, HOPEFULLY 'LL GET MORE NTENT TO OFFER. (I'D BE TEMPTED TO SUBSCRIBE THAT SE -- THERE ARE PLENTY OF "SO BAD 'S GOOD" STORI OM THE GRIM 'N GRTY ERA THAT I MIGHT ENJOY READG BUT WOULDN'T RE TO OWN.) THERE'S A LTLE B OF GOOD, A LTLE B OF BAD AND A LOT OF "WELL, WAS PROGRS AT THE TIME." IN ORR TO KEEP THE BT MOMENTS ABOVE THE CUT, LET'S START WH THE MOST RECENT EVENTS:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HULKG AND WICN'S (SEMI-)BOTCHED G {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FROM: YOUNG AVENGERS #7 (2005){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A LOT OF THE BUZZ ON THE EARLY ISSU OF YOUNG AVENGERS FOCED ON THE RELATNSHIP BETWEEN HULKLG AND ASGARDIAN. THEIR BANTER SOUND A LOT LIKE A SUPERHERO UPLE, BUT SCE THE EARLY ISSU OF YOUNG AVENGERS DIDN'T SHOW THE TEAM'S DOWNTIME, THERE WAS PLENTY OF ROOM FOR BATE (CLUDG SPECULATN THAT HULKLG WOULD TURN OUT TO BE AN YOUNG WOMAN DRAWN TO LOOK SEXUALLY AMBIGUO) IF THEY REALLY WERE A GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PART OF THE NFN ME BEE SUPERHERO IC REARS STILL AREN'T ED TO SEEG SAME-SEX UPL WRTEN THE SAME AS AN OPPOSE-SEX UPLE, SO WHEN A UPLE OF GAY CHARACTERS WERE TRODUCED WHOUT FANFARE WAS STILL SURPRISG. SOON AFTER THE RELATNSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO YOUNG MEN BEME CLEAR, THE TEAM CID THEY HAD TO LET THEIR PARENTS KNOW ABOUT THEIR SUPERHERO ACTIVI. HOWEVER, BILLY AND TED'S ATTEMPT AT G OUT WAS MISTAKEN FOR A MORE TYPIL KD OF G OUT. THE TLE WOULD LATER GO ON TO BE ONE OF THE FEW MARVEL TL TO W A GLAAD MEDIA AWARD, WHICH EQUENTLY GO TO PENNT OR DC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ULTIMATE COLOSS IS FALLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FROM: ULTIMATE X-MEN #65 (2005){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN MARVEL TRODUCED THE ULTIMATE UNIVERSE 2001, TRODUCED FAIAR CHARACTERS AND STORI WH NEW PERSPECTIV AND TWISTS. FOR YEARS ULTIMATE X-MEN REARS GOT HTS THAT THE ULTIMATE VERSN OF COLOSS WAS GAY -- MOST VOLVED COLOSS PLAYG TO STEREOTYP OR TEAMMAT MAKG SNARKY MENTS ABOUT ALISON BLAIRE'S CHANC WH HIM (SHE HAD AN OBV CSH). WHEN WE FALLY GOT NFIRMATN OF COLOSS' SEXUAL ORIENTATN ( THE FORM OF HIM ACCEPTG A DATE WH NORTHSTAR) WAS A PRETTY WELG MOMENT, PECIALLY SCE THE MASTREAM VERSN OF COLOSS WAS A CHARACTER THAT STRAIGHT, MALE REARS OF X-MEN TL INTIFIED. A SAFER CHOICE ULD HAVE BEEN MA FOR A MUTANT TO BE RE-IMAGED AS GAY, BUT ULTIMATE X-MEN CREATORS HAPPILY PICKED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE RAWHI KID IS RE-IMAGED AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FROM: THE RAWHI KID (2003){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN MARVEL TRODUCED S SHORT-LIVED MAX LE OF ICS AIMED FOR MATURE REARS, THAT CLUD A NUMBER OF TL THAT MIXED FAIAR NCEPTS WH "MATURE" AMOUNTS OF VLENCE AND SEXUALY (WHICH, SADLY, DID NOT CLU A PROMISG BUFFY-SPIRED REVAMP OF ROMANCE IC NIGHT NURSE). IN 2003, MARVEL DREW MEDIA NTROVERSY OVER A MI-SERI THAT SAW WTERN IC IN THE RAWHI KID AS GAY. UNFORTUNATELY, MANY REARS WERE DISAPPOTED TO FD THAT THE IC WAS FUELED BY STEREOTYP AND NUENDO-BASED HUMOR. WORSE, THERE WAS LTLE MERG THE "EXPLIC CONTENT" WARNG ASI OM THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT THE CHARACTER WAS GAY, SUGGTG A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE TLE GOT PLENTY OF MEDIA VERAGE THANKS TO NTROVERSY OM ANTI-GAY MEDIA ACTIVISTS WHO THK OF ICS AS A MEDIUM BELONGG STRICTLY FOR CHILDREN. ONE POPULAR (AND POLILLY NSERVATIVE) WRER, CHUCK DIXON, EVEN ACCED MARVEL OF TRICKG THE RAWHI KID'S ARTIST TO WORKG ON THE GAY-THEMED IC. THREE YEARS LATER, THE SERI IGNED MORE NTROVERSY WHEN MARVEL EDOR-IN-CHIEF JOE QUADA MENTNED AN TERVIEW THAT, DUE TO THE RAWHI KID FUROR, ANY TLE STARRG A GAY CHARACTER WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A "MATURE REARS" WARNG -- A MENT THAT LEFT SOME WORRIED (SCE MARVEL WASN'T PUBLISHG MATURE REARS TL ANYMORE) THAT GAY CHARACTERS WERE BEG SPECIFILLY EXCLUD AT THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NORTHSTAR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FROM: ALPHA FLIGHT #106 (1992){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE G OUT OF NORTHSTAR WAS A MIXED BAG. IT WAS AN IMPORTANT MOMENT TERMS OF GAY VISIBILY, BUT HAD SO MANY DOWNSIS. MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE STORY FULLY FALLS TO SO-BAD-'S-GOOD TERRORY. THE IC STARS WH NORTHSTAR'S TEAM, ALPHA FLIGHT, FDG A BABY FECTED WH HIV. WHEN HE CIS TO RE FOR , THE POSIVE MEDIA VERAGE ANGERS A RETIRED CANADIAN SUPERHERO, MAJOR MAPLELEAF, TO ATTACKG ALPHA FLIGHT. THE MAJOR'S FURY, TURNS OUT, IS FUELED BY MEMORI OF HIS SON'S ATH OM AIDS PLITNS, A ATH IGNORED BY THE MEDIA BEE HAPPENED TO A GAY MAN (MAKG HIM HATE HIV-POSIVE BABI WHO GET BETTER TREATMENT THE MEDIA). NORTHSTAR F MAJOR MAPLELEAF'S ANGER BY ANNOUNCG THAT HE, TOO, IS GAY. NO, THAT ISSUE DO NOT MAKE ANY MORE SENSE IF YOU READ THE ACTUAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BEYOND THAT, HOWEVER, THE STORY BROUGHT ABOUT OTHER PROBLEMS. THE STORY HAPPENED TO CI WH THE WRER LEAVG THE SERI, A CINCE THAT FUELED SPECULATN THAT HE WAS FIRED FOR THE STORY. THE WAY NORTHSTAR WAS HANDLED AFTERWARDS WAS ALSO PRETTY BAD, WH STORI THAT CLUD AN ILLNS (THAT WAS MEANT TO BE REVEALED AS AIDS), AN UNREQUED CSH ON A STRAIGHT MAN AND A NTROVERSY-URTG STORYLE WHERE HE DI AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LARRY BODE'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FROM: NEW MUTANTS #45 (1986){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE NOT SPECIFILLY GAY-THEMED, THE POWERFUL "WE WERE ONLY FOOL" WAS A MAJOR MOMENT FOR GAY REARS. IT TOLD THE STORY OF LARRY BODE, A STUNT PICKED ON AT HIS HIGH SCHOOL FOR BEG THE NEW GUY. HE IS TNTED BY BULLI WHO LL HIM A MUTANT AS A GENERIC SULT, BUT TURNS OUT THAT LARRY ACTUALLY IS A MUTANT. THKG HIS SECRET IS KNOWN AND UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO AL WH BEG A MUTANT, LARRY KILLS HIMSELF. THE STORY ENDS WH ONE OF THE MOST MOVG SCEN X-MEN HISTORY WHEN KTY PRY LOGIZ LARRY:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHO WAS HE, THEN, THAT WE GATHER TO MOURN HIM? WHO AM I? A FOUR-EYED, FLAT-CHTED, BRAT, CHICK, BRA, HEBE, STUCK-UP XAVIER'S SNOB EAK! DON'T LIKE THE WORDS? I ULD E NICER. I'VE HEARD WORSE. WHO HERE HASN'T? SO OFTEN, SO SUALLY, THAT MAYBE WE'VE FOTTEN THE POWER THEY HAVE TO HURT. NIGGER, SPIC, WOP, SLOPE, FAGGOT, MUTIE--THE LIST IS SO LONG. AND SO CEL. THEY'RE LABELS. PUT DOWNS. AND THEY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WE WERE ONLY FOOL" WAS A POWERFUL STORY FOR GAY REARS SCE THE OUTSIR METAPHOR OF ANTI-MUTANT HYSTERIA APPLIED PARTICULARLY WELL TO THE GAY EXPERIENCE. FOR MANY GAY REARS, KTY'S CLN OF AN GAY SLUR HER LIST OF HATEFUL WORDS WAS A QUIET ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT THE X-MEN'S ANGST WAS MEANT FOR THEM, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AURORA MEETS RAYMON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FROM: ALPHA FLIGHT #7-8 (1984){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR YEARS, AN EARLY SCENE OM ALPHA FLIGHT'S HISTORY WAS ALL WE HAD SHOWG THAT NORTHSTAR WAS MEANT TO BE GAY. IN THE TWO-PART STORY HE TRODUC HIS SISTER TO A "SPECIAL IEND" WHO AURORA ISN'T SO QUICK TO ACCEPT AND IS, STEAD, QUICK TO NMN FOR HIS FLUENCE ON HER BROTHER. WHEN RAYMON IS LATER KILLED BY A SUPERVILLA, NORTHSTAR'S REACTN IS VERY STRONG, FURTHERG SPICN THAT THERE WAS MORE TO THE RELATNSHIP THAN BEG JT IENDS. IN HDSIGHT, A LOT OF THE HTS TOWARDS NORTHSTAR'S SEXUAL ORIENTATN PLAYS TO GAY STEREOTYP BUT AT THE TIME WAS A MAJOR STEP TOWARDS GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BCE BANNER IS NEARLY ASSLTED A YMCA {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FROM: HULK MAGAZE #23 (1980){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS STORY BY FORMER EDOR--CHIEF JIM SHOOTER IS SEEN AS A NOTABLE LOW POT FOR MARVEL'S TREATMENT OF GAY CHARACTERS. WHILE POSIVE PICTNS OF OPENLY GAY CHARACTERS WEREN'T ALLOWED AT THE TIME, THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO EXCLU A STORY WHERE A UPLE OF EFFEMATE MEN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Wh Marvel announcg that they were makg an onle archive of their ics available to subscribers, I though 'd be worth notg the pany's signifint moments s history wh gay characters. Their banter sound a lot like a superhero uple, but sce the early issu of Young Avengers didn't show the team's downtime, there was plenty of room for bate (cludg speculatn that Hulklg would turn out to be an young woman drawn to look sexually ambiguo) if they really were a gay of the nfn me bee superhero ic rears still aren't ed to seeg same-sex upl wrten the same as an oppose-sex uple, so when a uple of gay characters were troduced whout fanfare was still surprisg.

For years Ultimate X-Men rears got hts that the Ultimate versn of Coloss was gay -- most volved Coloss playg to stereotyp or teammat makg snarky ments about Alison Blaire's chanc wh him (she had an obv csh). A safer choice uld have been ma for a mutant to be re-imaged as gay, but Ultimate X-Men creators happily picked Rawhi Kid is re-imaged as gayFrom: The Rawhi Kid (2003)When Marvel troduced s short-lived Max le of ics aimed for Mature Rears, that clud a number of tl that mixed faiar ncepts wh "mature" amounts of vlence and sexualy (which, sadly, did not clu a promisg Buffy-spired revamp of romance ic Night Nurse).

15 OPENLY GAY MARVEL CHARACTERS THAT MIGHT BE COMG TO THE MCU

In 2003, Marvel drew media ntroversy over a mi-seri that saw Wtern ic in The Rawhi Kid as gay. Worse, there was ltle merg the "Explic Content" warng asi om the acknowledgment that the character was gay, suggtg a tle got plenty of media verage thanks to ntroversy om anti-gay media activists who thk of ics as a medium belongg strictly for children. One popular (and polilly nservative) wrer, Chuck Dixon, even acced Marvel of trickg The Rawhi Kid's artist to workg on the gay-themed ic.

10 IMPORTANT GAY MOMENTS COMIC BOOK HISTORY

Three years later, the seri igned more ntroversy when Marvel Edor-In-Chief Joe Quada mentned an terview that, due to the Rawhi Kid furor, any tle starrg a gay character would have to have a "Mature Rears" warng -- a ment that left some worried (sce Marvel wasn't publishg Mature Rears tl anymore) that gay characters were beg specifilly exclud at the publisher.

IS CAPTA MARVEL GAY?

It was an important moment terms of gay visibily, but had so many downsis.