DC Stands By Their Bigot | Fanboys of the Universe
We love the Fanboys! FotU majordomo Chance Whitmire has written a heartfelt but clear-headed commentary on Card, DC, and homophobia.
Traditionally, DC tends to take the “one step forward, two steps back” approach when it comes to the LGBTQ community. Add gay characters; erase them from continuity. Make Earth 2‘s Green Lantern gay; fire pro-LGBTQ writer Gail Simone (thankfully only temporarily). For whatever reason, DC is standing by Card, their hiring decision and his right to be a bigot. That is their right. That is his right. Similarly, it’s my right not to buy the book. And it’s my right to encourage my readers and friends not to buy the book.
The whole piece is great and worth reading and sharing, but one thing Geeks OUT especially appreciates is Chance's call to positive action as a community:
Finally, I have a suggestion for a little freedom of expression of our own. Instead of just boycotting Card’s Superman book, why not buy a book featuring a gay character, instead? When the book is released, take your $2.99 and pick up Earth 2, Batwoman, Teen Titans, or take your money outside DC and get X-Factor,Avengers Academy, Astonishing X-Men or Archie’s Kevin Keller. Then, don’t stop there. Keep buying those titles and recommend them to your friends and tell them why.
DC’s decision to stand by their bigot is an insult to the LGBTQ community and everyone who supports equality for all. In time, though, I’m sure DC will take a page from their own comics and retcon their corporate bio to erase this particularly shameful moment. A relaunch of their own belief system can’t come soon enough.
We will not be insulted and then pay for the insult. We will not enrich our enemies. We will not be intimidated into silence and inaction.
