Love is in the air - Team Northstar

This week, two years ago, Marvel comics took a giant leap forward by publishing Astonishing X-Men #50. Why was this issue so big? Because it featured the first ever gay marriage proposal (technically Wiccan and Hulkling got engaged first but they were only like 17 and still haven't tied the knot). Coincidentally, two mates of mine just got engaged this week too! Congratulations Ray and Craig!

Marvel's character, Northstar, first came out in 1992 and then made history 10 years later by asking his (now) husband, Kyle, to marry him. They were then married in the next issue (Astonishing X-Men #51). In fact, Northstar was the first of many gay and lesbian marvel superheroes some of whom I've added to a catalogue of gay Marvel superheroes.

But, why have comic books been such a refuge for nerds and gay men alike for years. I have a theory:

Quiet, bookish, noble guy. Tall, dark hair, glowing eyes, muscular, winning smile. Secretly enjoys sexy underwear, wrestling, and hopes to someday save the world. This description reads like everyone’s fantasy man and is also the calling card for just about every comic book hero out there. From the stunning poster-boy Superman, to the short but tough Wolverine, superheroes can serve as paramours for many gay ideals. And, while the superhero has an obvious physical appeal for many up-and-coming gays, there may be deeper forces at work.

A secret identity is key to most superheroes. The maintenance of their home lives as separate entities from their nighttime masquerading is essential. It’s not just so they can go shopping with out being harassed by adoring fans. From DC to Marvel, to Darkhorse and Image comics, superheroes across the board rely on secret identities as a means of protection. If villains and those whom they combat knew who they really are their lives would be in danger as well as the lives of those they love. The fear of discovery is a concept very familiar to many gay men. As sexuality burgeons in adolescence, everyone wants to blend in with the crowd, even more so for a young man discovering his seemingly abnormal attraction to other men and the manifestation of his greatest power, gaydar. All those who see Superman all want to attack him and test his strength. Many young gay men justifiably fear that if anyone found out about their inner brightly coloured caped crusader their lives might be in danger. And the paralleled struggle that gay men find in their favourite superhero can be a source of comfort. The sympathy found in a superhero’s struggle to find a suitable phone booth or dark ally to duck into to avoid being seen for whom they truly are hits home.

Even worse than being attacked by anti-mutant hunting robots and gay bashers, is the fear of an imploding personal life. Superman, again, is a perfect example: He is an orphan, alone on an alien world where he has strange and fantastic, yet dangerous powers. Keeping his secret is the only way to maintain the few normal relationships he has. He fears that if his true alien nature were exposed those he holds dear might reject him. The mutants of the Marvel world find a similar struggle in trying to keep their powers under wraps because, even within families, to be a mutant means being ostracised as an abomination. Marvel’s X-Men all wore masks in the beginning and were not ‘out’ to their families about what really went on at Xavier’s school. The superhero’s is a tale of isolation with a hearty portion of struggle and tragedy heaped on top and often some self-loathing. Their desire for acceptance coupled with the fear of abuse is not uncanny to the gay community. And, for gays, in the absence of an accepting family it’s nice to find affirmation in the pages of the newest tight-spandex sporting superhero mag. (Side note: Stan Lee is very open about the fact that the X-Men were meant to mirror the civil rights struggle when they were first introduced. 'nuff said!)

But, the hero’s life isn’t all doom and gloom. They have amazing powers. Whether it be super speed or just the ability to walk through walls, comic book heroes can get the job done at any cost and walk away the better for it. They have amazing adventures and everyone looks up to them. To be a wimpy nobody who is pushed around and looked down upon might be bearable if there was actually a behemoth of strength kicking about on the inside. The superhero cannot only withstand the punishment dished-out by villains, (many die and come back so often they should have their own religion) but in the end they have the strength to defeat them as well. Behind the secret identity there’s something fabulous inside that no one else can see. It’s an empowering and intoxicating theme (also the colour-coordinated suits holding firmly to a well toned body is pretty nice too). Everyone wants to believe there is greater force in their life, especially if they’re oppressed. Then, what greater force is there than the strength within? To be a young man in fear of who you might truly be, gay, the hope that sooner or later you’re going to not only escape the evil clutches of your life, but have the strength to defeat anyone who tries to do you harm is reinvigorating and necessary, for many, to keep going. It gives purpose to enduring harsh slurs, public disdain, and even physical violence.

Let’s face it villains are dumb.  Why kill a hero with an elaborate trap when, after you’ve knocked them out, just do away with them quick and easy? This in addition to the fact that comic book heroes are incredibly clever makes it hard for gay guys to get through the latest issue of Batman without some smug satisfaction. Not only are comic heroes statuesque physically, but they have mental and moral superiority on their side. Heroes don’t kill. Heroes have a plan. And when heroes get lured into a trap, they find their way out. Superheroes get to beat the bad guy and sleep well at night as they take the high road when it comes to undoing the dastardlies. Despite many gay men having had some unpleasant run in with straight guys, it’s nice to believe that we, like superheroes not only win but are the better people for it. Along with the powers, being the good guy is a real bonus for putting up with the hiding and the abuse. Being on the moral high-road as open and accepting gives gay men a sense of satisfaction especially when justice is dealt out to those who perpetrate bigotry and hatred.

Up, up and away is where comic book heroes take the fantasies of many gay and straight men, young and old. They serve for so manyas just that, heroes. But, for the gay man, they give us hope in ourselves and serve as examples of not only what we hope to be but as sympathetic friends for the actual struggles in our lives. They take us into the most idealistic of fantasies and also give us a guide through the mire of real life. Even more encouraging is, in recent years, the cropping up of actual gay comic book heroes with the same strengths, flashy costumes, and good guy ethics of every other hero, but at the end of the book they get to snog the guy. Hopefully, this batch of gay heroes will not only continue to inspire and give hope to gay men, but also help educate their peers to the fact that anything that a straight hero can do a gay one can do just as well, and maybe with a bit more style. 

So for all you Snikt! Snikt! fan's out there fawning over Wolverine, I today am championing Northstar. Yes, he may be a bit of an arrogant so-and-so, but he has never hidden (well except when he was an Olympic skier using his mutant powers to his advantage). He's my comic-book hero du jour and I am distinctly:

 

I need to make t-shirts!

And congratulations to all you pioneers out there. Someday young gay men and women will have no idea how exciting and brave what you've done really is!

Enjoy!
‽



Buy 'Black Star' on Amazon in the UK and US
Check out Themo on Twitter and Facebook

Gay Marvel heroes

Unbeknownst to most, Marvel comics has been tackling heated social topics since the 60s. The Uncanny X-Men were established in September 1963 as a book about the disenfranchised minority struggling to survive in a world that ‘feared and hated them.’ Early on the X-Men books toted a cast that looked like the United Nations. Marvel, the first mainstream comic label to proudly boast some of the first black superheroes, also took a stance on the war in Vietnam and the Cold War. Now, in the days where issues of race relations seem a bit passé, Marvel has again moved to the front of the line to not only support but continually create and establish gay superheroes. 

Here are a few paving the rainbow way:

Northstar

Northstar:

The silver highlighted, Jean-Paul Beaubier, is a bit hot-tempered and a bit of a pre-madonna. But, why shouldn’t he be? The former Olympic skier was the first Marvel hero to come out in 1992 (Alpha Flight #106). His homosexuality had long been implied since 1983, but there was a ban on openly gay characters at the time. It was intended to give Jean-Paul AIDS and have him die from it (a published storyline that was eventually retconned [retroactive continuity]), but it was the death of his HIV infected adopted daughter, Joanne, that pushed him to utter the words ‘I am gay.’ He eventually settled down and got married to his husband Kyle.

Anole:

Anole

Victor Borkowski was raised in a small town that accepted him despite being born green with a spiky carapace on his head instead of hair. Upon arriving at the Xavier Institute he met and bonded with openly gay instructor, Northstar. When Northstar was killed, brought back to life and brainwashed by an evil organization, Victor was understandably upset. But, he soon came out and found acceptance and council with friends, family and another gay faculty member, Karma. Our little green gay friend even makes a cameo in X-3 the movie. 

Karma:

Xi'an ‘Shan’ Coy Manh (Karma) was born into the war torn Vietnam and escaped to America after the discovery of her ability to ‘posses’ and control other people. Alone, Shan raised her younger brother and sister while serving as a founding member of New Mutants. She nursed a crush on Kitty Pryde (Shadowcat) and officially came out in New Mutants v2 #4 when she became librarian at the Xavier Institute and mentor to several students.

Sunfire:

The daughter of Japanese aristocracy in an alternate world, Mariko Yashido (Sunfire) is rejected not only for her mutant powers but also for her sexuality. When she joins the Exiles, she finds herself on a world with a super-powered Mary-Jane Watson, Spider-Woman. The two have a serious long distance relationship as Mariko’s team hops dimensions on a regular basis. But, when Mariko dies on another world she is laid to rest in Mary-Jane’s dimension so that MJ can visit her deceased lover’s grave.

Ultimate Colossus:

Everyone’s favourite 6’6” hunky Russian, Piotr ‘Peter’ Rasputin (Colossus) gets a revamp in Ultimate X-Men, an updated retelling of the formation of the X-Men. This tin man with a heart of gold and soul of a painter has the ability to turn his whole body into organic steel (talk about fetish) and is dating his reality’s version of Northstar. Peter even faces off against his homophobic, x-best friend Nightcrawler who gets put into a psychically induced coma after going on a hate rampage.

Miss America

Miss America:

A member to the Young Avengers team, Miss America (America Chavez) is a platinum lesbian (i.e. she's a lesbian raised by two moms). She's the power house of the group and has some pretty kick-ass powers to go with it. She is una chica fuerta (even the Norse God Loki is afraid of her) that any lady lovers could be proud to look up to.

Beast:

Yes, even our favourite blue furball once switched teams. No, he never acted on it (that we know of) and he only claimed to be gay to get over a bad break-up with Trish Tilby (though the official story is he was doing it publicly to gain wider acceptance). But hey, the fact that he was cool with giving it a go makes he A-ok in my book. And before you ask, yes, I have a crush on Beast. I have a soft spot for intellectuals, a hairy chest and men who can pull off tweed.

Beast's explanation from New X-Men #134

Beast: What? The gay stuff? Come on, Scott! I’m challenging all kinds of stereotypes here!
Cyclops: But you’re not gay. I know you’re not gay, Hank.
Beast: So? I might as well be! I’ve been taunted all my life for my individualistic looks and style of dress… I’ve been hounded and called names in the street and I’ve risen above it.
Cyclops: Oh, for crying out loud, Hank. I love you, but you’re officially on the road to apocalyptic mind loss. No one but you is going to find this funny.
Beast: Come on, I’m as gay as the next mutant! I make a great role model for alienated young men and women. Why not?

Gay Couples

Hulking & Wiccan:

Hulkling and Wiccan

Marvel’s premiere gay teen couple have pasts that read like an episode of East Enders. Teddy (Hulkling) is the son of a shape-shifting alien and her rival alien race’s greatest champion. And, Billy (Wiccan) is the re-incarnated soul of one of Scarlet Witch’s imaginary demon twins. It was established at the beginning of the Young Avengers series that they were a couple (as Wiccan changed his name from ‘Asgaurdian’ because of jokes). But, when they came out to Billy’s parents Teddy was hugged and welcomed to the family. Coincidentally, Teddy’s half sister, Phyla-Vell, is also gay. How’s that for progress?

Phat & Vivisector:

X-Statix was a risqué series to begin with before they introduced the gay characters of Phat, a homo-phobic former rap-star modeled after Eminem, and Vivisector, the lycanthropic over privileged book-worm. A highly PR driven team the news of their relationship was originally thought to be a publicity stunt but soon was proven to be the real thing. Their presence on the team was preceded by, Bloke, a super-strong pink chameleon who was openly gay as exampled by him snogging his boyfriend on a street corner before going into battle.

Mystique & Destiny:

This pair, Raven Darkholme (Mystique) a blue-skinned shape shifting assassin and Irene (Destiny), a blind mutant- precog, were lovers in Marvel comics since the early 80’s. The women met in the early 20^th century, the relationship starting as a business partnership and eventually growing into more. Though not always explicit their tenderness and love are quite clear as even villains refer to Raven as Irene’s ‘leman,’ an archaic word for ‘lover.’ The pair raised a daughter (Rogue) and were together until Irene was killed in battle in 1989.

Carolina & Xavin:

Carolina is an alien who can channel solar energy. Xavin is a shape shifting Skrull with the power to control the cosmic elements. They were betrothed in order to stop the war between their two races and when Carolina announced she couldn’t marry Xavin because she’s gay, Xavin happily obliged, finding herself at home in the form of a black female. In this inter-racial, extraterrestrial love, there are no hang-ups about gender or species as Carolina understands that Xavin’s shape shifting between male and female is just a reflection of everyone’s struggle to find out who they really are. Recently, when Xavin lost control of her shape shifting ability she reverted to her base form, and it was revealed that she was happiest in her lady-skin.

With many more gay characters and heroes weaving themselves in an out of their comics, Marvel has taken a stand on the acceptance of gay characters. And, even if these heroes can lift buildings with one hand, sexuality can be as big a tangle as a battle with Doc Oc. However, the new generation growing up reading about gay heroes will find role models as easily as Captain America was a beacon of justice in generations before. And, with any luck, it will give them the courage to be just as brave.

Related websites:  

http://www.gayleague.com/gay/characters/

Enjoy!
‽




Buy 'Black Star' on Amazon in the UK and US
Check out Themo on Twitter and Facebook

Not quite Gangnam style

Welcome to Oweho, a port city on the southern coast of Garz that is home to its own laid back style.

One of the things I'm enjoying most in this book is getting to write about other places in Arbea. There is still a lot to learn about the society that Gemmy lives in (and we will). But it's nice to get out there and see some of the other contrasting cultures. 

Here is a brief (unedited) description of the people of Oweho:

"Where everyone in Bansho was reserved, you could tell by just looking at the people of Oweho that relaxation was the centre of their society. Gemmy’s mother would call it ‘lose moral fortitude’ but to Gemmy it was exciting.

"Even their style lived out loud. All of their clothing was loose fitting billows of fabrics. The men wore wide shorts that went down past their knees in brightly coloured mismatched patterns. The few who bothered to wear shirts wore a kind of mesh vest or simple swells of thin colourful fabric.

"Women, young and old, were much the same. They either wore long shapeless dresses - volumes of sheer fabric with wide belts or sashes synched round their wastes - or similarly baggy skirts with the same light fabric or mesh tops. Still, there was elegance - their dresses with plunging necklines and steep armsayes opening out in a suggestive manner; the only accents to their clothing being large colourful jewellery.

"It was all a very well planned, care-free style, even their hair. Older men tended to have completely shaved heads. But younger men had a strange sort of reverse-Rhe’zan cut. Their head was shaved all over except for large quaff of hair at the front that was styled to protrude in any direction. The women also wore similar cuts or wore their hair up in what Gemmy could only compare to a bird's nest. They tied their sun-bleached and knotted hair into buns at strange angles and allowed it to poof-out. They used colourful bandanas to help keep it aloft. They added to the look by affixing large flowers or shells all throughout the jumble of tresses."

Oweho fisherman

 

Here's a sketch of Sem decked out in some Oweho fashions. I think the style suits her.

The Oweho style (and particularly for women and their hair) was inspired by a girl I worked with, Clementine Robertson. She is a brilliant artist from Australia and had the most amazingly beautiful curly hair. I could always tell her emotional state by it. As she was finishing her dissertation at Uni it was, more often than not, just piled up on top of her head - to me it always seemed sculptural, like another work of her art. When she was calm it was equally inspiring, flowing downward in rivulets, spilling over her shoulders like a dazzling frisky shawl. If Emersus Project were ever made into a film, she would be first on my list for costumes and conceptual art as I think, in her hands, Arbea would be taken to a whole new level of incredible.

Enjoy!
‽


Buy 'Black Star' on Amazon in the UK and US
Check out Themo on Twitter and Facebook

An open letter to Ryan Murphy - tackling stigma

Dear Ryan, Brad and Ian,

I have been a fan of Glee since the beginning. My heart leapt and my spirits lifted as Mercedes belted out 'don't stop' for the first time. As a gay man I've ridden the waves of happiness, fear, triumph, heart break, sorrow and laughter that has been the development of Kurt and Blaine and even Karofsky (I totally called that one) coming to terms with their sexuality. Rachel has infuriated and inspired me. Santana has surprised me. Britney has shocked me with her brilliance. I still can't watch early episodes for fear that I will succumb to the sorrow that is missing Finn. I have sung along with, cheered, dreamed, cried, laughed and celebrated along side the characters whose lives have mirrored so much of my own and many of those I know. But, as the show enters it's final season there is one friend of mine that I realise has been absent from the show: clinical depression. Would you be able to work this old friend into the last series?

According to WHO (World Health Organisation) 350 million people suffer from depression and it is the leading cause of disability world wide. Think of the people it would benefit to explore such a prolific ailment on Glee. Think of the stigma it could help combat. Your show has already done on so much to tackle difficult and often uncomfortable topics that draw teens and adults alike to watch it. It's time to show the world how people react to depression, the kind that can't be fixed with a song or the realisation of ones dreams?  

Glee has championed so many taboos. And, yes, we've seen depression on the show before. And it's always been well drawn and sensitively portrayed. But it has also always found a solution beyond proper medical treatment. For many, clinical depression and other mental illnesses are not so easily dealt with. It has no root cause other than an unfortunate physical disability. It can take years to get a handle on, subsequently breaking up friendships, families, careers and lives along the way.

I am gay. And I have suffered depression because of it. But I also suffer from depression and anxiety that no amount of acceptance or hugs or boyfriends can fix. It is a mysterious longing, ennui, an intangible pain that yearns for a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. But, unlike coming to terms with my sexuality, the act of recognising my depression does not make everything better. It's a disability like any other. I have to manage every day with the aid of medical help just as Artie has to use a wheelchair to get around.

It is the one part of me that I am still reluctant to share and open up about. It is the part of me that I am not always honest with others about. Unlike the prejudice that I've faced as a black man and as a gay man, it can feel insurmountable because 'the calls are coming from inside the house'. It is the dirty secret I've hidden from boyfriends and family and friends for fear of how they will react; rejection, lack of understanding, rebuke, disappointment. They are shadows that leave me cold when I'm in a room full of people who care. So how could I possibly share that darkness with the world?

Like so many, when I am depressed I search for a cause: Am I unhappy at work? Am I dissatisfied with my relationship? Am I not living up to my full potential? This questioning and examination only seeks to deepen my depression as the answer is always bound to elude me. Everything is fine yet I am unhappy. I feel ashamed. I feel I am lacking or broken because I can't make it work. There is guilt because I am not appreciating the people and the things in my life that are wonderful. And, over and over again, the people who do know tell me they love me and support me and I still feel like I'm letting them down. So, I have to work hard to overcome it - but not on my own.

I have to be open with friends and family this private and frightening thing, a sentiment which has been mirrored in so many other situations on Glee. I have to work with medical professionals to keep things in check and help me understand what's going on. And, more often than not, it's friends who spot my symptoms long before I know what's even going on. It's scary to have to depend on others to help where I am physically incapable. Normally, I believe I can do anything I set my mind to. So knowing that it's my mind that is set against me is terrifying. And the trust and faith that I have to put in those around me to help overcome it is immense. However, it's that trust and those relationships that help me overcome many of my darkest hours.

I can understand the reluctance of any television series to tackle such a large issue as clinical depression and mental illness. It's a big topic that can't be wrapped up in a short story arc, it's not funny and doesn't always have the nicely packaged and clean ending. Do you advocate medication or therapy? Do you show that relationships with good people, characters you love and admire, can break down and friends walk away? It's a big tangle of issues and upsetting situations that can grow arms and legs. But I believe that you and your team on Glee could do this in a way that is sensitive, true and beneficial to people who struggle and those around them to help spot the signs.

Depression is a scary, invisible illness that is blind to race, religion, talent or sexuality. It can take down the boldest and brightest. But, when handled, it can elevate people from their lowest points to become greater than they ever imagined. What a feeling it is to get on top of something that feels insurmountable. And, you find out how sparkling and true many relationships in your life are.

So, as Glee comes to a close next season, please take some time to explore a condition that affects (and takes) many lives every day. Glee has already made such a difference to sooooo many people. How many more could be helped by your incredible work? And hey, if you need someone to come on the show and sing about it, I'm happy to sing a few bars for you. ;-)

A huge fan,

Themo