Marvel has been urged to provide ‘vital’ representation of the LGBT community in its cinematic universe and comic books after it spoke out about Pride Month.
The franchise has been criticised after it pledged support for Pride, releasing variant comic book covers to mark the occasion, with fans pointing out that there is still a lack of LGBT characters in the films.
Jeff Ingold, Head of Media at Stonewall,told Metro.co.uk: ‘The reaction to Marvel’s Pride Month variant covers shows just how much demand there is for more, and better, representation of characters with different sexual orientations and gender identities in comics.
‘Having mainstream LGBT+ representation in comics is so vital because it not only teaches readers to understand and respect difference, but it also provides characters that LGBT+ fans can relate to.
‘When lesbian, gay, bi and trans people aren’t represented in the media – or are barely featured – it can give LGBT+ people the impression that there is something wrong or different about them.
‘Representation is so important, which is why it’s a shame that there hasn’t been a mainstream LGBT+ Marvel superhero yet. More LGBT+ people in comics means more role models for LGBT+ people in real life.
‘But it’s crucial this is done in an authentic way, where LGBT+ writers and illustrators are at the forefront of developing these characters and storylines. Only then can we truly begin working towards a world where everyone sees themselves reflected in what they read and what they see on screen, and believes they can be whatever they want to be.
‘We’re always keen to see better LGBT+ representation in the media, and we hope Marvel finds way to include more LGBT+ characters and storylines in their work.’
For Pride Month, Marvel has unveiled a line-up of variant covers, gathering some of the LGBT characters from the Marvel Universe together.
Characters include Northstar, Iceman, Hulking, Wiccan, Mystique, Black Cat, Moondragon, Runa, America Chavez, and Daken.
Mystique is the only one who appears in the films, most recently played by Jennifer Lawrence in the X-Men franchise, however her bisexuality is not explored in the movies.
Some fans have also pointed out that more mainstream character Loki, played by Tom Hiddleston in the MCU, hasn’t been included, despite being bisexual in the comic books.
Marvel boss Kevin Feige previously announced that Avengers: Endgame would be the first Marvel film to feature an openly gay character, however, fans were left unimpressed when it turned out to be an unnamed male character who briefly mentioned going on a date with a man.
Speaking out on the cameo, Feige said: ‘That was just meant to be a matter of fact and a matter of life and a matter of truth. And I liked it that our hero, Steve Rogers, doesn’t blink an eye at that fact. It is just truth and is heartbreaking for his loss and for the life he’s trying to put back together.
‘[Joe Russo’s cameo] was never meant to be looked at as our first hero. I guess it’s the first reference so it does, of course, get a lot of attention.’
However, he promised in the interview with io9: ‘We haven’t been shy about saying that that’s coming and that there’s much more prominent LGBT heroes in the future.’
Chloe Zhao’s The Eternals is due to feature the first openly gay hero.
Meanwhile, Tessa Thompson previously revealed that she plays Valkyrie as a bisexual woman, despite there not being any explicit references to her sexuality in the films.
‘In the canon, [Valkyrie] is bisexual. You see her with women and men, so that was my intention in playing her,’ she said.
The 35-year-old added to Variety: ‘Obviously, at the forefront of most of these stories is not typically their romantic life. They have big stakes, like saving the world, so that tends to sort of trump.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted Marvel for comment.
Stonewall support
For support and information, Stonewall’s Information Service is available on 0800 0502020. Lines are open 9:30 – 4:30 Monday to Friday.
They also have information and resources on their website.
