PART III: Queer Rep: The Battle Ahead

Asking a franchise that can create plotlines for an entire multiverse with plotlines, spanning planets and centuries, that weave in and out or 20+ movies for queer characters is not a big deal. Yet time and again Marvel has failed to deliver. It all comes down to a final question:

What is the issue with queer representation?

It is essential to understand why queer characters are so important to queer fans. Whenever we see any aspect of our personality being ridiculed, shunned, or silenced in the media, be it an opinion, or insecurities such as weight or even an odd hobby, we associate that thing as something shameful or something that should be hidden. When someone views their identity as being only negatively represented, it adversely affects the way others see them, as well as the way they see themselves.

It is a cruel irony when a community that has been swept under the closet is made to feel that way. If LGBTQ+ characters are not downright villains, their identities are often shown as a part of their eccentricity or a part of a tongue-in-cheek- joke. Queer characters still have all the other personality traits that make them relatable to straight and cisgender fans, with the bonus of queer audiences feeling represented. Everyone benefits from rich, diverse stories, not just the people represented.

But they’re just trying to make money!

Hollywood Diversity Report 2016 from UCLA found that the “increasingly diverse audiences prefer diverse film and television content”. “Films with more diverse casts had the highest median global box office receipts and the highest median return on investment.” Large franchises aim for high global box office receipts to get the highest return on investment, which is significantly increased by films with more diverse casts. Even TV shows benefit financially with more diverse casts and get more social media engagement.

With this fiscal incentive, along with the need to stay “woke”, media producers often misrepresent communities under the guise of creating diversity. They create token characters in a symbolic effort to make the story look diverse. Having diverse side characters that do not contribute to furthering the narrative is one example of tokenism. When a minority does play an important role, their characters are often stereotypical or the actors are typecast.

The Falcon and The Winter Soldier showed a progressive stance and approached the topic of race relations, albeit clumsily. Nevertheless, since the show was produced by a large franchise, and had a widespread reach, it had a positive impact and it began a conversation. Similarly, positive LGBTQ+ representation in major franchises can help amplify queer voices.

What do people want?

Positive representation has well-written complex characters who meaningfully contribute to the story, with their diversity an important aspect of their personality, yet not the focal point. Positive representation helps battle the stereotypes that limit society and harm individuals. It builds self-confidence in individuals and gives role models to them to look up to. This is especially important in superhero franchises where protagonists are meant to inspire people. Learning about diverse experiences and perspectives is important in expanding the notion of “normal”. This stands true for ethnic or religious minorities too.

rt holds up a mirror to the society and it fails one of its fundamental purposes when the mirror is cloudy and purposefully hides certain members of the society. Loki being a bisexual and genderfluid lead character in a major television show is the first stop in MCU’s queer representation, but it is still a monumental moment that should be and was widely celebrated. And I’m sure even the homophobes will agree, anything is better than Gay Joe Russo.

Part 2<<

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