…[Gail] Simone believes that diversity isn’t just a continuing issue for superhero comics: “It’s the issue for superhero comics. Look, we have a problem most media don’t have, which is that almost all the tentpoles we build our industry upon were created over a half century ago… at a time where the characters were almost without exception white, cis-gendered, straight, on and on. It’s fine — it’s great that people love those characters. But if we only build around them, then we look like an episode of The Andy Griffith Show for all eternity.”
Read the full Wired article.
Despite my stated ambivalence about marriage equality being the primary focus of LGBT activism, I can’t help but smile when I see the sci-fi/fantasy community so well represented with this meme. (Pictures via HRC.)
But what does it actually accomplish? For an interesting perspective, see Scientific American’s Will changing your Facebook profile picture do anything for marriage equality?
See also Impatient Optimists’ ‘Pictivism’: Does Changing Your Facebook Pic for a Cause Really Matter?
As a longtime gay activist, I do not think that marriage equality is the end-all be-all of the LGBT rights movement. As I heard another activist once say, “A queer youth in rural Iowa isn’t one gay marriage away from equality.” Personally, I don’t think the government should be validating anyone’s relationships. The current marriage equality movement does nothing for single people, doesn’t take into account polyamorous relationships, and smacks of assimilation and conformity.
That said — OMG cute pictures! :)
Based on Alan Moore’s amazing graphic novel, the movie V for Vendetta is set in a future dystopian England where “different became dangerous”. The short segment with Valerie’s letter makes me cry every single time I see it. Valerie recounts how the love of her life was taken from her and how terribly important our integrity is.
Read the transcript here.
The Big Issue: Comic Book Retailers On Orson Scott Card And Superman, Part 1 [Interview]
When DC Comics issued its statement of no action in response to the outcry over its hiring of anti-gay-marriage crusader Orson Scott Card to write a story in its new Superman anthology, Adventures of Superman, the publisher essentially delegated the moral decision, not only to fans, but to retailers. Some of those retailers will sell the book normally. A few will sell the book, but donate their profits. Others, an ever-growing group, are choosing to keep the comic off their shelves altogether.
The choices retailers are making and the debate surrounding those choices seem to indicate that the intersection of comic retailers, fans, creators and publishers isn’t what it used to be. It’s more political, more vibrant and perhaps more acrimonious than it’s ever been. In this first of a series of interviews with retailers here at ComicsAlliance, we chatted with one of the first and certainly one of the most outspoken comic shop owners opting not to sell Orson Scott Card’s Superman work, Richard Neal of Zeus Comics in Dallas, Texas.I don’t care if Orson Scott Card penned the best sci-fi novel ever, he’s still an anti-gay bigot, and he will not get any of my gay money. He sits on the board of an organization that stands directly in the way of equality for gay people in this country. Not to mention the vile and reprehensible things that Card has written and said about gay people.
He has every right to say and write whatever he wants about gay people as he has done in the past, and we have every right not to buy or read any of his work. But when you start actively giving money and lobbying to subvert equality for gay people, then you’ve crossed a line.
Also from the interview:
Richard Neal: As an out gay man, I was already a target. Orson Scott Card spent nearly two decades attacking [me] in essays and posts about the evils of homosexuality. Card sits on the board of the National Organization of Marriage, a group determined to deny equality. Card would take away my relationship with my husband Chris. He’s equated homosexuality with rape, pedophilia and that we are born of abuse. While I am lucky to be surrounded by a strong, supportive group of family and friends, not everyone is so fortunate. You only have to look to the rate of LGBT teen bullying, suicide and projects like “It Gets Better” to understand that Card’s hate speech and advocacy directly impact the actions and beliefs of others.
OK, folks. I’m sending up the Tumblr-signal. DC Comics has hired blatantly anti-gay author Orson Scott Card to write for Adventures of Superman.
While this is getting covered by Wired, NPR, Boing Boing, and other places, DC Comics has basically told the LGBT community and our supporters to take a hike.
Yes, Mr. Card is entitled to his beliefs, just as we’re entitled to voice our displeasure to DC Comics and to spend our money elsewhere, if we so choose.
Please sign the petition, spread the word, and let your voice be heard! Thanks!
“Original Plumbing documents diversity within trans male lifestyles through photographic portraits and essays, personal narratives and interviews.”
I donated to help Original Plumbing magazine expand and grow, and you can, too! Please give as part of their indiegogo campaign:
THE GENDER BOX!! Check out Miles Jai (http://www.youtube.com/milesjaiproductions - @MilesJai) in THE GENDER BOX on the LinzerDinzerTV Channel! http://www.youtube.com/linzerdinzertv
Perfect.
YES OMG
No hay caja!
![DC Introduces First Transgender Character in Mainstream Comics
…[Gail] Simone believes that diversity isn’t just a continuing issue for superhero comics: “It’s the issue for superhero comics. Look, we have a problem most media don’t have, which is that almost all the tentpoles we build our industry upon were created over a half century ago… at a time where the characters were almost without exception white, cis-gendered, straight, on and on. It’s fine — it’s great that people love those characters. But if we only build around them, then we look like an episode of The Andy Griffith Show for all eternity.”
Read the full Wired article.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/0634c5738f74b13de6e3f8adb7735bc3/tumblr_ml5yocQzE01qgsnbzo1_500.jpg)
![iasthai:
comicsalliance:
The Big Issue: Comic Book Retailers On Orson Scott Card And Superman, Part 1 [Interview]
By Matt D. Wilson
When DC Comics issued its statement of no action in response to the outcry over its hiring of anti-gay-marriage crusader Orson Scott Card to write a story in its new Superman anthology, Adventures of Superman, the publisher essentially delegated the moral decision, not only to fans, but to retailers. Some of those retailers will sell the book normally. A few will sell the book, but donate their profits. Others, an ever-growing group, are choosing to keep the comic off their shelves altogether.The choices retailers are making and the debate surrounding those choices seem to indicate that the intersection of comic retailers, fans, creators and publishers isn’t what it used to be. It’s more political, more vibrant and perhaps more acrimonious than it’s ever been. In this first of a series of interviews with retailers here at ComicsAlliance, we chatted with one of the first and certainly one of the most outspoken comic shop owners opting not to sell Orson Scott Card’s Superman work, Richard Neal of Zeus Comics in Dallas, Texas.
I don’t care if Orson Scott Card penned the best sci-fi novel ever, he’s still an anti-gay bigot, and he will not get any of my gay money. He sits on the board of an organization that stands directly in the way of equality for gay people in this country. Not to mention the vile and reprehensible things that Card has written and said about gay people.
He has every right to say and write whatever he wants about gay people as he has done in the past, and we have every right not to buy or read any of his work. But when you start actively giving money and lobbying to subvert equality for gay people, then you’ve crossed a line.
Also from the interview:
Richard Neal: As an out gay man, I was already a target. Orson Scott Card spent nearly two decades attacking [me] in essays and posts about the evils of homosexuality. Card sits on the board of the National Organization of Marriage, a group determined to deny equality. Card would take away my relationship with my husband Chris. He’s equated homosexuality with rape, pedophilia and that we are born of abuse. While I am lucky to be surrounded by a strong, supportive group of family and friends, not everyone is so fortunate. You only have to look to the rate of LGBT teen bullying, suicide and projects like “It Gets Better” to understand that Card’s hate speech and advocacy directly impact the actions and beliefs of others.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/ae77fb3a6a0040fdaead725791bb1993/tumblr_miu83hfxsC1qcw9rdo1_500.jpg)
