Much could be said about this story, but here’s three quick reflections.įirst, this should come as no surprise. Along with the cultural shift regarding LGBTQ relationships and identities over the past few years, Marvel has been introducing LGBTQ characters and storylines for some time. In 2012, Marvel featured the same-sex wedding of Northstar and his longtime partner. And in 2015, Iceman, one of the iconic X-Men characters, came out as gay.
Second, contributors to this series genuinely want to help LGBTQ teens. Captain america gay sex comics series#Īrtist Jan Bazaldua is “happy” about the opportunity of contributing to this series and being able to “help those who are almost invisible to society.” Although I have a different theological perspective than Jan, I share the concern for this vulnerable community. Rather than responding to this story defensively (as all humans do naturally), it would be wise to begin by finding common ground with others on the desire to help hurting LGBTQ teens. Are there ways to work together across ideological lines? What can we learn about the vulnerability of LGBTQ teens from people like Jan? What have others learned about the best way to help homeless LGBTQ teens? Asking questions like these provide more help for LGBTQ teens, foster common ground with others, and develops mutual respect. Third, the oppressors in this story reveal a deep cultural shift. Often, heroes and villains in modern books and movies reflect society’s interpretation of who today’s liberators and oppressors are. In the first Captain America comic (1941), Steve Rogers joins the army during WWII. The Nazis were oppressing the world, and Captain America needed to stand up in defense of the oppressed.
In this new storyline, it is LGBTQ teens who need someone to stand up for them against oppression.