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The one thing you can't be in the Marvel Cinematic Universe -- Gay

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MC_Hify

Member
I noticed this a while ago watching "Agents of Shield." It was the episode title "Yes Man" where Lorelei was seducing a bunch of men for her army with her powers. The problem I found with it was that ALL of the men she was seducing happened to be heterosexual, which given statistics is extremely unlikely they were all straight. I was even half-expecting a one-off gay-joke but neither happened.

It was a very terrible episode regardless.

Her powers might not really matter regarding sexuality. In Powers there was a character who could make men do whatever she wanted and when this was explained by a gay character he was "Especially gay men!"
 

Cybit

FGC Waterboy
Meanwhile, The Flash has had three gay characters, two of which were introduced as a couple and nonchalantly treated as no big deal (Singh and his partner), and the other whose sexuality was revealed only as an essential plot point to his backstory and not in any exploitative or tokenistic way (Pied Piper).

It also has a Hispanic supporting character (Cisco), and two black characters in major roles (Iris and Joe West), and its early flashbacks deal with Barry being adopted into a black family. Some people had doubts about Iris' race being different from the comics, and now no one cares because the show is awesome.

It's not that hard, Marvel.

...You do know Agents of Shield has two asian/asian-american women (Chloe Bennett and Ming-Na), two black characters (one now, alas, RIP Tripp), and Marvel has both of its shows being led (or co-led) by women, right (one Asian-American)? Lets add in that Daredevil has a hispanic woman as a main character and as
a love interest for the title character.
. Or that Luke Cage is one of their next shows.

Also, going to disagree on the "representation matters to those who are marginalized" being an absolute. Not everyone defines themselves based on their skin color or sexuality. In fact, that is probably part of the problem, this assumption that because the majority defines minorities based on their minority characteristics (because most people define things by differences rather than similarities), that those minorities must ALSO define themselves by their minority characteristics. That...that is a very misguided belief.
 
Her powers might not really matter regarding sexuality. In Powers there was a character who could make men do whatever she wanted and when this was explained by a gay character he was "Especially gay men!"

But why just men though, regardless of sexuality? I know all of this seducing powers crap is really dumb, but it left that "not-gays" impression on me. I'm sure it has on others too. I had to research "Powers" to know what you were even talking about.
 

Sai-kun

Banned
...You do know Agents of Shield has two asian/asian-american women (Chloe Bennett and Ming-Na), two black characters (one now, alas, RIP Tripp), and Marvel has both of its shows being led (or co-led) by women, right (one Asian-American)? Lets add in that Daredevil has a hispanic woman as a main character and as
a love interest for the title character.
. Or that Luke Cage is one of their next shows.

Also, going to disagree on the "representation matters to those who are marginalized" being an absolute. Not everyone defines themselves based on their skin color or sexuality. In fact, that is probably part of the problem, this assumption that because the majority defines minorities based on their minority characteristics (because most people define things by differences rather than similarities), that those minorities must ALSO define themselves by their minority characteristics. That...that is a very misguided belief.

I never said it was an absolute, but you can't disagree that it matters more to a queer kid than a straight white cisgender dude.
 
wow, surprise, representation actually matters to people who are marginalized and often left out

So what do you propose? Characters are solely written to appeal to that demographic regardless of the story?

That's a tough sell, especially to a studio executive that is in charge of a 2 hour long 200 million dollar movie that has to be sold and distributed across the world (to audiences that are sometimes far more conservative than anything you have in the US).

It is far easier to do that in a TV show which is probably why you see it happen more often there than anywhere else.
 
If there are gay superheroes in the Marvel universe, okay, bring all of them. But don't change the ones who are straight. I already said this in this forum before: characterization should be taken faithfully as possible in adaptations.
 

VegiHam

Member
If there are gay superheroes in the Marvel universe, okay. But don't change the ones who are straight. I already said this in this forum before: characterization should be taken faithfully as possible in adaptations.

Why should it? The Mandarin was awesome in IM3 and that was super unfaithful. They should make changes that make an entertaining story.
 
If there are gay superheroes in the Marvel universe, okay, bring all of them. But don't change the ones who are straight. I already said this in this forum before: characterization should be taken faithfully as possible in adaptations.
lol movies are usually not that faithful as adaptations, in fact the best movies tend to stray quite a bit away from the source material. Cause you know, you want to see something new, and not just everything verbatim on the screen.
 

Weiss

Banned
If there are gay superheroes in the Marvel universe, okay, bring all of them. But don't change the ones who are straight. I already said this in this forum before: characterization should be taken faithfully as possible in adaptations.

Cap in the comics isn't nearly as much of a gee-willikers boy scout.

Hawkeye and Black Widow only had a serious connection very early on (she tricked him into becoming a villain back in his first few appearances).

Every character in Guardians of the Galaxy has received significant alterations to their history and personality except maybe Gamora.

But, no, dudes liking dudes is just a bridge too far for you.
 
So what do you propose? Characters are solely written to appeal to that demographic regardless of the story?

That's a tough sell, especially to a studio executive that is in charge of a 2 hour long 200 million dollar movie that has to be sold and distributed across the world (to audiences that are sometimes far more conservative than anything you have in the US).

It is far easier to do that in a TV show which is probably why you see it happen more often there than anywhere else.

If it's as easy as Star-Trek's "not-gays" interjections everywhere, it is very easy to do the opposite and not make a big deal about it.

ie. A man says, "I have a wife and kids" is just as easy to say, "I miss my husband." Not hard.

Although, people will just debate if those interjection should be in there regardless of heteronormativity.

Then again, most movies don't pass the bechdel test.
 

Cybit

FGC Waterboy
I never said it was an absolute, but you can't disagree that it matters more to a queer kid than a straight white cisgender dude.

In many cases, but that's where the fallacy in the statement lies. A gay kid growing up in San Francisco might be treated better in their day to day life than a straight white cisgender kid who is the son of Christian missionaries living in a village in Zambia. Representation might matter far, far more to that straight white cisgender kid than that gay kid. Captain America might be far more representative to that gay kid than that straight white cisgender kid.

Context matters. General statements being applied as blanket truths to individual people doesn't work (for me, at least).
 

MC_Hify

Member
But why just men though, regardless of sexuality? I know all of this seducing powers crap is really dumb, but it left that "not-gays" impression on me. I'm sure it has on others too. I had to research "Powers" to know what you were even talking about.

Check out powers if you have PS+. It's a lot different than the comics but it's decent.
 

Nesotenso

Member
The characters in the MCU and the characters in the comics are separate entities. So if a character is white in the comics then that is how they are, if they are black in the films then that too is how they are.

The characters in the MCU are based on their comic counterparts.
 

Weiss

Banned
The characters in the MCU are based on their comic counterparts.

Loosely, with several changes fit for adaptation.

Hint: Race, gender, and sexuality issues are often acknowledged and changed when adapting material with a largely cis, straight, white male cast. Like most superhero comics.
 
All I'm thinking about while reading this thread:

NNG3olp.jpg
 
Loosely, with several changes fit for adaptation.

Hint: Race, gender, and sexuality issues are often acknowledged and changed when adapting material with a largely cis, straight, white male cast. Like most superhero comics.

Which of the major characters in the MCU are of a completely different sex, gender, or race than their comic counter-parts?
 

Nesotenso

Member
Loosely, with several changes fit for adaptation.

Hint: Race, gender, and sexuality issues are often acknowledged and changed when adapting material with a largely cis, straight, white male cast. Like most superhero comics.

and changes are fine when you are going between mediums. Race, gender and sexuality are things which don't need to be altered , at least that is how I feel.
 

Sai-kun

Banned
In many cases, but that's where the fallacy in the statement lies. A gay kid growing up in San Francisco might be treated better in their day to day life than a straight white cisgender kid who is the son of Christian missionaries living in a village in Zambia. Representation might matter far, far more to that straight white cisgender kid than that gay kid. Captain America might be far more representative to that gay kid than that straight white cisgender kid.

Context matters. General statements being applied as blanket truths to individual people doesn't work (for me, at least).

and how many comics, games, tv shows, movies, and songs are there about straight white dudes...

edit: idk why i'm having this conversation. nvm me.

It's a 2 hour movie about people in spandex punching the shit out of each other. Being gay doesn't equate into that.

Also, why do we need to have gay character? If gays are 10% of the population then what percent of superheroes would be gay? Is this to make gay kids feel better?

is this like a weird ironic post or something
 

bro1

Banned
It's a 2 hour movie about people in spandex punching the shit out of each other. Being gay doesn't equate into that.

Also, why do we need to have gay character? If gays are 10% of the population then what percent of superheroes would be gay? Is this to make gay kids feel better?
 

Weiss

Banned
and changes are fine when you are going between mediums. Race, gender and sexuality are things which don't need to be altered , at least that is how I feel.

Tell that to the people who still have to struggle to get any representation in media, unless they're supporting casts hanging off the ankles of white dudes.
 

bro1

Banned
It's a 2 hour movie about people in spandex punching the shit out of each other. Being gay doesn't have the time to enter into that outside of some throw off line.

Also, why do we need to have gay character? If gays are 10% of the population then what percent of superheroes would be gay? Is this to make gay kids feel better?
 

Nesotenso

Member
Tell that to the people who still have to struggle to get any representation in media, unless they're supporting casts hanging off the ankles of white dudes.

and that could be solved by introducing actual characters from a minority group and not bending stuff to fill some void.
 
I thought Captain America was super into Winter Soldier *________*

Also Thorki for lyfe~




OK OK jokes aside. Yes, lesbians are okay-er though. Gay men is icky.
*rolls eyes*

(i hate lesbian representations in most mainstream media. too much fanservice that it is usually bile.)
 

Furyous

Member
I could've sworn Marvel had a gay wedding in one of their comics within the past five years. Didn't they give it the Black Panther/Storm treatment? Let's not go so as far as to demean Marvel over this because they're trying. In all honesty this is going to take time. People lost their shit when Bendis killed Ultimate Peter for Miles. Imagine what's going to happen when they introduce a gay mainstream character. Some of the people complaining haven't read X-Men books, in my opinion.

I don't care either way but feel people need to be understanding and acknowledge Marvel can't press a switch and all of a sudden change the sexual preference/orientation of a character without backlash from far right media outlets. Then there's the comics are for kids argument that some people, NOT ME AT ALL, stand on.

TL;DR this is going to take a long time but people have to be understanding and know Marvel is trying.
 
Tell that to the people who still have to struggle to get any representation in media, unless they're supporting casts hanging off the ankles of white dudes.

Isn't one of the new bigger characters in the walking dead gay? The one who recruits people? Game of Thrones also seems to represent all types of genders/sexual identities

I'm not saying these 2 make the point moot. But I feel loke asking for source material to change to represent a group is not the best way. Original stuff is great but why bring a loved franchise to the screen and change something for the sake of changing it? Isn't the source
Material most important to the fans?

I'm all for ditching love interests in action movies anyways. Gimme more explosions :)
 

kirblar

Member
I had a friend once tell me that the whole xmen series was analogous to the gay struggle to integrate into society
The original Stan Lee era stuff wasn't, but it immediately moved in that direction when they rebooted it. It's an analogue for minority life more generally.
 

berzeli

Banned
I had a friend once tell me that the whole xmen series was analogous to the gay struggle to integrate into society

The films or the comics? Because if we're talking about the films (well really just the first two), then yes they are and intentionally so. It is rather apparent in the second one when the visit one of the parents of a student; "Have you tried, you know, not being a mutant?".

and changes are fine when you are going between mediums. Race, gender and sexuality are things which don't need to be altered , at least that is how I feel.

And I yet again disagree for the reasons outlined in the OP (which is blatantly obvious that a lot of people didn't read) about why representation matters.
 

Weiss

Banned
and that could be solved by introducing actual characters from a minority group and not bending stuff to fill some void.

Who then don't get proper representation because they never get the time of day. Nobody wants to make a movie about Equinox. Shit, Marvel's last successful non-WASP characters in years are Kamala Khan and Miles Morales.

There's just no satisfying you people. Swear to Christ when you actually try to use minority heroes in your work suddenly you're running the PC brigade or some shit.

Isn't one of the new bigger characters in the walking dead gay? The one who recruits people? Game of Thrones also seems to represent all types of genders/sexual identities

I'm not saying these 2 make the point moot. But I feel loke asking for source material to change to represent a group is not the best way. Original stuff is great but why bring a loved franchise to the screen and change something for the sake of changing it? Isn't the source
Material most important to the fans?

I'm all for ditching love interests in action movies anyways. Gimme more explosions :)

You mean like Guardians of the Galaxy? The movie that radically altered Star Lord and Drax into a completely different character and nobody threw a bitch fit? You mean like how the principle Macguffins of the franchise are represented differently from their source material You mean like how Iron Man's dad now helped create Captain America?

Why is all that okay, but not a gay guy?
 
Why should it? The Mandarin was awesome in IM3 and that was super unfaithful. They should make changes that make an entertaining story.

lol movies are usually not that faithful as adaptations, in fact the best movies tend to stray quite a bit away from the source material. Cause you know, you want to see something new, and not just everything verbatim on the screen.

Cap in the comics isn't nearly as much of a gee-willikers boy scout.

Hawkeye and Black Widow only had a serious connection very early on (she tricked him into becoming a villain back in his first few appearances).

Every character in Guardians of the Galaxy has received significant alterations to their history and personality except maybe Gamora.

But, no, dudes liking dudes is just a bridge too far for you.
It's my opinion. If it gets better than the original source, okay, but it rarely does. I didn't watch IM3 and I didn't read GOTG comics but I could see myself disappointed if they changed the characterization I was expecting. The majority of the cast in MCU are faithful enough for me. Only Hawkeye isn't like he supposed to be but let's see how he turns out to be in AoU.

I also live in a love/hate story with Game of Thrones because of stuff like this, so the problem must be on me. I don't like changing in characters even if it's for the sake of diversity.
 
It's a 2 hour movie about people in spandex punching the shit out of each other. Being gay doesn't equate into that.

Also, why do we need to have gay character? If gays are 10% of the population then what percent of superheroes would be gay? Is this to make gay kids feel better?

Considering that homo/bisexuality transcendence that of race, gender, etc, the answer would be 10% for superheroes too, lol.

Interesting that there are more alien race classifications than single gay superheroes. What's with the overrepresentation of extraterrestrial species when we have yet to find one irl. :p
 

Platy

Member
I could've sworn Marvel had a gay wedding in one of their comics within the past five years. Didn't they give it the Black Panther/Storm treatment? Let's not go so as far as to demean Marvel over this because they're trying. In all honesty this is going to take time. People lost their shit when Bendis killed Ultimate Peter for Miles. Imagine what's going to happen when they introduce a gay mainstream character. Some of the people complaining haven't read X-Men books, in my opinion.

I don't care either way but feel people need to be understanding and acknowledge Marvel can't press a switch and all of a sudden change the sexual preference/orientation of a character without backlash from far right media outlets. Then there's the comics are for kids argument that some people, NOT ME AT ALL, stand on.

TL;DR this is going to take a long time but people have to be understanding and know Marvel is trying.

This is not about marvel comics, this is about marvel movie division.
 
You're not going to get a movie with a super massive budget that has openly gay characters in it. It simply won't happen because that movie has to appeal to a wide - read: international - demographic in order to make its money back.

Unfortunately that is just the reality of doing business on this kind of scale.
 

tomtom94

Member
It's a 2 hour movie about people in spandex punching the shit out of each other. Being gay doesn't have the time to enter into that outside of some throw off line.

Also, why do we need to have gay character? If gays are 10% of the population then what percent of superheroes would be gay? Is this to make gay kids feel better?

Isn't it funny how I can instantly change "gay" to "straight" and your statement becomes hilariously stupid?
 

Nesotenso

Member
Who then don't get proper representation because they never get the time of day. Nobody wants to make a movie about Equinox. Shit, Marvel's last successful non-WASP characters in years are Kamala Khan and Miles Morales.

There's just no satisfying you people. Swear to Christ when you actually try to use minority heroes in your work suddenly you're running the PC brigade or some shit.

doubt anyone is against the usage of minority characters. The disagreement lies in how people here want to go about it.
 
about that, wasn't selina kyle hinted to be gay in the dark knight movie? i always thought it would get more of an outrage that she just abandoned her friend to get with batman.
 
I'm not sure why the lbgt community is caught with demanding representation. It'll happen when those characters are introduced.

Marvel isn't going to make Iron Man and Captain America kiss just because. Something like Avengers isn't even about romance, it's all about the action, so who care about gender or sexual preference!

There are no gay characters that exist within Marvel as far as I know.

Should they make some up? ... What else can you do?

There are plenty of gay characters.
 
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