MARVEL’S FIRST OPENLY GAY SUPERHERO

Hollywood has long convinced the world that only a certain group of people can be superheroes. For decades, the big screen was monopolised by throngs of cisgender, heterosexual white men donning the cape, mask, spandex, flying suit or other heroic outfits. Female superheroes were initially rare, but at least the amount has grown since the day of Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman in the 1970s. But LGBTI superheroes, on the other hand, were practically non-existent (at least on the big screen) until now.

In Marvel Studios’ latest superhero ensemble Eternals, audiences are finally graced with the presence of a gay superhero. And it’s not something that may just be implied or suggested in passing conversations or innuendos. No. This gay superhero is fully-fledged and completely out. Phastos (played by Brian Tyree Henry) is among the beings called Eternal who have settled on Earth for eons. After years of living separately, the Eternals team up when extraterrestrial threats arrive. In the present day, it is revealed that Phastos is married to a man and they are raising a son together. And did we mention a gay kiss yet? Based on the stuff that Disney/Marvel have done in the past regarding LGBTI representation (which wasn’t much), this is a pretty big leap. The movie, in a way, has redefined the concept of superheroes. Superpower comes in all shapes, sizes, gender and bodies, and Eternals has offered us potentially the most diverse and inclusive cast of superheroes to date.

Not everyone applauded the idea though and, unsurprisingly, the movie was banned in several countries for its depiction of a same-sex relationship. But kudos to Disney/Marvel for sticking with its own material and not removing gay-related scenes in order to make extra money in those markets. Superheroes don’t have to be straight. Gay people can be heroes too. The studios are sending a strong message and we hope they’ll continue to move forward in this direction.