PRIDE & PREJUDICE: An LGBTQ+ History of DC Comics | Watchtower Database
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2024
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LGBTQ+ representation was rather scarce in the DC Animated Universe. But, things have gotten a lot better in the years since the subtleties of Maggie Sawyer in "Superman: the Animated Series." Take a trip with us as we explore the many examples of representation within DC Comics television and films.
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The Watchtower Database is an upcoming fansite collecting all known information on the DC Animated Universe, or DCAU, the 14-year-spanning animated saga produced by Warner Bros. and DC Comics under the creative team of Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Dwayne McDuffie, and others. WDb's expansive catalog of characters, episodes, imagery, and more will be highlighted by the quarter-turn, full-body images for every single character to have appeared on the shows, as well as many other treats for DCAU fans.
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The Watchtower Database is in no way affiliated with Warner Bros., DC Entertainment, or any other official DC Animated Universe producer or source. WDb is a fan-run, non-profit website and does not claim to own any of its presented properties. "Batman: the Animated Series," "The Adventures of Batman & Robin," "The New Batman Adventures," "Superman: the Animated Series," "The New Batman/Superman Adventures," "Batman Beyond," "The Zeta Project," "Static Shock," "Justice League," "Justice League Unlimited," and all related names, logos, and indicia are trademark and ©1992-2006 DC Comics and Warner Bros. Television Animation. The Watchtower Database channel and related content is copyright of JTS Entertainment. All rights reserved.
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I related to this video a lot. I don't really feel comfortable going into too many details as to why this was relatable to me (I think that you can piece that together easily enough), so instead I'll just thank you for talking about this topic, & for highlighting the Doom Patrol in particular. As an English person I can't legally watch the show, but I found a clip of that song a while ago and immediately fell in-love with it. It's a moment of pure empowerment, and I love that DC, the company that indirectly inspired the creation of the Comics Code because "Batman & Robin are totally gay for each-other", was able to give us something so inspirational and empowering.
Honestly though, this entire video was an emotional rollarcoaster for me - in the span of 26 minutes I felt inspired, joyful, angry, optimistic, pessimistic, proud, and a range of other emotions that fit somewhere into those other categories. The dominating thing I felt though was chills. I got chills when you talked about your history, I got chills when you talked about Rick Foley, I got chills when the People Like Us clip was mentioned & I got chills when you rightly pointed out how much representation matters.
Thank you for everything you've done today; hopefully this video will prove to be helpful for other closeted people who need to hear these messages.
@@RealKull No one cares, jackass.
are you aware of midnighter and Apollo DC's married hero couple? There's also a gay batman. The batman [Damian Wayne] from Multiversity The Just is in love with his world's Superman Chris Kent. They are both a bit in the closet but they are inlove.
Yj has Harper Row who is gay in the comics and Cass Cain who recently came out as bi in the comics just join their cast
Danny Buckle I’m honestly uncomfortable with the implication that Batman and Robin might be gay for each other. Mostly because the identity of Robin is for Bruce’s surrogate children, it would just be really creepy if he went in a relationship with any of his Robins, I just find that to be a pairing that is an immediate turnoff to me.
@@ryancarson6962 Agreed. In my opinion Batman shouldn't date any of his sidekicks because it would feel like an abuse of his authority, but the Robins are a particularly uncomfortable case for the reasons you've already described.
However, the idea that Batman & Robin ever had any sort of romantic relationship is a total fabrication; a farce created by a man with a firm agenda against both comic books & the LGBT+ community who happened to have enough clout to effectively spin innocently-intended, out-of-context pieces of comic book media & fear-monger the public until the farce became an accepted fact. No sane writer has thought or ever will think that pairing Bruce with one of his adopted sons is a good idea.
(starts the video) "I lived in the Bible belt." Oh I think I know what's going happen.
We don’t all think that way. I myself have changed my views. Others can do the same.
Renee Montoya, a GCPD member that was introduced is Batman: TAS, was also a lesbian, but this wasn't confirmed until 2003 when Two-Face wouldn't leave her alone.
Yep, brought this up in the video
I know this video is 4 years old but after the tragic passing of Kevin Conroy, I feel the need to remind us all that Kevin Conroy, our Batman, *THE* Batman, was a gay man. He was survived by his partner, and honestly, it kind of brings me some form of happiness knowing he had someone to love, and someone to love him, and someone to be by his side, as I had never heard of him having a spouse as I grew up.
You should check out our follow-up video from 2021!
Some just occurred to me. The original 1960's Batwoman was brought into the Bat-Family to help alleviate the "Batman is gay" rumors that was going about at the time, and today Batwoman is gay. I wonder if the creators had that in the back of their minds when creating her. Sort of a subtle tolling of the haters.
They totally did.
Idk maybe
Grant Morrison came up with that so odds are they know what they're doing
I fucking hope so because that's awsome
No they didn’t. She had a “niece” who was supposed to be Robin’s girlfriend, too. She was pursuing him for decades even after COIE.
Bette Kane was the first “Bat-Girl” and then she changed her name to “Flamebird,” who was Nightwing’s partner in Kandor.
The part of the conversation that never seems to be discussed is this discussion over 'kid shows' was that many of us WERE the kids that these critics supposedly care so much about. We saw no one like us and all we did see was that our feelings were treated like a punchline at best, and at worst we were treated as something horrible and unwanted. Everything that was said and shown to us was telling us NOT to be gay, but we were. So, to be clear, you cannot 'turn' straight kids gay, particularly by showing them that homosexuality exists, just as they were not able to stop us from being gay. All you do by taking away proper representation and hiding us away like something shameful, is tell us from a very early age that we are something shameful and unwanted...and that's something many of us have had to still struggle with feeling into adulthood as a result.
when it comes to Christianity Islam and Judaism and that's on purpose. that Is the religions' way of being evil without being publicly shown to be evil.
Yeah, that's the point. They want any kids that might be queer to feel so ashamed and scared that they never explore that part of themselves and never come out. These people "protect" children from loving themselves.
We are glad you found the courage to tell us your story, Matt.
@@spicyshark9202 You're a real winner, aren't ya?
@@antoniodarcy7913 I like how that hateful comment got bypassed by my notifications. I only noticed your reply
@@spicyshark9202 lol
@@spicyshark9202 Hay I don't know if you are joking or not but if you aren't Fuck you to you homophobic ass bitch 🖕
While I'm straight and not a part of the LGBT community my heart goes out to all of you. Hopefully we can have forge a better future of incivility and diversity.
I think you mean “civility” but yes ✌️
@@dcauwatchtower
1. I’m sorry that happened to you.
2. Fuck southern Baptists. And Bible-Thumpers in general.
3. Your father is a shitty, shitty person who is undeserving of being called your dad.
4. I would remind you that not all Christians are bad. The Catholic Church may have its problems, but American Catholics generally aren’t going to mistreat y’all. Others, such as PCUSA, actively accept the LGBTQ+ community.
I believe you mean free of incivility
I sure hope we don’t have a future of incivility but ok
Same here, straight myself but I hope they can be more inclusive same with characters with disabilities since I myself have one ( blindness)
JLU “She is Brazilian” is the only other hint I can think of 😅When Flash was about to hit on Fire and HawkGirl tells him he is not her type.
Yunier Viada She kisses him at the end of the episode
BigBlkSuperman 1985 She does? Is been a while, still the line is there for a reason
@@YunierViada I think in the comics, there's something going on with her and Ice.
BigBlkSuperman 1985 Steam lol
White-Van Helsing Wink Wink
5:30 "She was, uh.......................
lesbian in the comics"
5:42 "there are a couple of subtle nods to her, um.................
orientation"
I uhhhhhh.........yeah that was quite awkward
"Kids play Batman and Superman a lot, if they see Batwoman they will emulate her perversions!"
Yes...because when people play Batman and Superman...they emulate their love and sex lives..not their heroics. I know when I pick up a super hero comic, I am interested to know who the characters are dating and fucking, not...you know...super hero adventures. Also yeah, totally, kids always emulate what they see in fiction. I played a lot of Mortal Kombat as a kid and now I am a super powered ninja who kills people...wait, no...I am just a normal dude working for a living, I don't think I have ever emulated anything from fiction except maybe its creativity. One other thing about that stupid rant that woman had, people REALLY need to stop seeing LGBT people as just people with a kink, its not. While I am aware there are those who do push their kinks to the forefront, that still isn't what being gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc, is. Its merely liking the same gender you are, or both genders. Straight guys like women, straight women like men, gay men like men, gay women like women, bi both like both, that's literally all there is and yet some idiots act like if we let two consenting adults of the same gender marry, suddenly bestiality and pedophilia will become legal. People need to get over the idea that its a personality, or a kink, its not, its just who we like. Straight men like women, straight girls like guys, gay guys like guys, gay girls like girls, bisexual guys and gals like both, that's literally the only prerequisite involved.
MysteriousTomJenkins You worded it perfectly.
Wow, I didn't expect something as heartfelt and well-written as this. Your videos are usually great but this was excellent. Good work, Mattie.
I think my trepidation about more characters being bi/gay is that it’s very female dominant. It’s pretty well observed that lesbian relationships are much easier to represent, and it bothers me that some of these relationships seem to be fetishization (like you touched on with Harley and Ivy) rather than sincere want for representation
Raven Horan same I feel like Gotham did a good job at lgbt representation. All the relationships felt real.
@@eldritchpumpkinghost2968 Barbara and Tabitha seemed to have an open relationship which was interesting.
@@Tsukiakari-qb3tk
...who’s Tabitha?
@@pokemagetech a character on gotham
Oh, they definitely made Catwoman bisexual just for the fetish; though yes, she did very briefly have a canonical girlfriend [Eiko Hasegawa] back in 2014 or so. It's disappointing.
This comment section is so supportive and nice. There’s hard to find on UA-cam.
Even if we can't fully understand how each other feels, we're all in this together and we can make it if we're willing to try
Cartoon Network allowed gay relationships in Steven universe, but not young justice?
travesty
Different times, but... Watch season 3.
@@MateoAbadia Nah, season 3's LGBT+ "rep" was fucking awful.
Joe Francis Um what?
@@ravenfrancis1476 i mean, you are wrong, but that's okay, everyone can be.
I've always kind of wondered if Shriek from Batman Beyond was coded gay. He has the "gay ear" pierced and Ollie, his purple haired assistant, seems to be just hanging around more as a boytoy than any real sort of assistant. Oh, also Clayface's friend Teddy in his introductory 2-parter seemed particularly infatuated with Matt Hagen. To me it seemed particularly coded there; though they would later have Clayfacec entice a woman into helping him regain human-form so maybe he's bisexual.
Just found out about Clayface the other day, and I can totally see it with Shriek too!
Every time I saw Shriek in this comment chain I misread it as Shrek lmao.
Oh trust me, Young Justice season 3 definitely got more LGBT representation, they made a lot of progress.
Wait really? When? I stopped watching after season 2-
Oh yes! After they got free from the (I assume) constraints CN had on them at the time, they put it out there.
The thing I like is that it felt natural. Not just for diversity sake.
@Rain Smith
1) not everyone was LGBT+.Unless I'm mistaken it was 2 main characters and a couple of side ones.
2) I said it felt natural because said characters were (spoilers ahead)
A teenager who grew up and discovered his sexuality and a teenager (actually an alien force) who experimented with the concept of sexuality. And those were just the main characters.
3) As for the side characters, it wasn't forced at all. It was treated as just a part of life. Ya know, kind of like the real world
4) There will always be haters. I say to you and all of them... you don't have to watch.
@@tgtcc only hinted at but I think Bart Allen is with Eduardo. Static remarks at being a 7th wheel when there is blue + 13, beast boy + perdita and impulse and Eduardo. There is also a scene where violet kisses a girl called harper and Aqualad is also with Garth, which would make them both bisexual because of the connection to Tula. Kaldur also leads the justice league at this time but it’s unclear if the relationship was public until after he steps down and is with Garth in the diner scene at very end of season 3
@@willnutland5772 Kaldur is with someone named Wyde not Garth. Also, if Bart and Ed were together I think they would be more blatant about it.
5:11 no joke, that's meant to be a younger version of Joel Schumacher
🤣
I recently came out as Pansexual to my family...it didn't go too well and as a lifelong DC fan...these comics did help me really embrace who I am. Maggie Sawyer/Kate Kane is my favorite comic book relationship for a reason and Cassandra Cain is my favorite DC character PERIOD. Scouring the internet I came across Watchtower Database and found this video, honestly? I'm happy to know there are people like me within this community, seeing my favorite writer in Dwayne McDuffie being such an avid supporter of LGBTQ+ rights was an absolute gem of a moment that actually made me cry. I wanna be a comic book writer, I wanna work on my Earth-98 concept series more and really do fresh and new stuff with this universe and just...I love this community more than I could ever put into words, I love this channel more than I could ever put into words. To know there are so many creatives within this fandom that care about us and want more representation puts a true and genuine smile on my face...thank you. All of you.
You’re so brave and I hope you get cured soon! Stay positive.
Thanks team! I really appreciated your analysis of the lack of inclusion still in the animated universe. I was glad to see Citizen Cold and The Ray in live action. But I was really glad to watch the animated retelling of that same relationship.
I was so afraid of reading this comment section because there's usually at least one person in every comment section about an lgbt topic who is just an intolerant ass.
Also, great video. I love the representation DC is giving us these days. Especially between the Ray and Citizen Cold. It touched my heart finally getting to see Wentworth Miller get to be himself on screen after the past decade of forced straightness in Prison Break. Honestly it just saddens me that it's taken this long to get here. I would have loved a childhood full of genuinely relatable characters to look up to
chef cringe Same
Lexington was gay? OMG that's why he was my fave!
Please tell me you're joking.
@@SuperLumianaire why?
@@sebastienvondoom8615 gay being a reason their your favorite? That's stupid. That's like saying Long Shadow would be my favorite just because he's Native American.
@@SuperLumianaire It's not like Lexington being gay is the only reason why he's his favourite... Y'know since he didn't know about it until watching this video.
@@sebastienvondoom8615 "OMG that's why he's my fave!" As in, him being gay is why he finds him favorable.
Young Justice’s character Halo, aka Violet Harper, is non-binary and I’m so happy to find a character like me in comics. Like, I almost cried.
That is so stupid.
@@user-in1gv1uh2v Eat shit, you intolerant fool.
@@DayOldMeat Wow triggered much?
@@DayOldMeat Given the fact you told me to eat shit, call me an intolerant fool, and a silly bill with the mental age of a 12 year old, I would say you are more triggered than I am for thinking that non-binary is a stupid made up concept.
@@user-in1gv1uh2v Who cares whether it's 'made up' or not? It harms exactly no one and affects you in exactly 0 ways. Maybe go do something else with your time bro. Like play your favorite videogame or read an old favorite comic.
I also grew up in the bible belt, and being pansexual wasn't a cake walk. Thank you for sharing your past.
Amen
Batwoman was created because people thaugh that Batman and Robin were gay, then she came back as a lesbian and is a way better character now.
This is now one of my favorite videos on the channel.
The irony is overwhelming.
Irony's a bitch, ain't it?
The name batwoman came back. It was technically a different character.
Mike Wilhelm I know but sitll
Let’s agree that if Batman and Robin were in a relationship with each other, it would be creepy for VERY different reasons.
Years ago on CN: No showing gay couples sorry fam
CN now: *Steven Universe has entered the chat*
What are talking about
depression. png And now Adventure Time! I am so happy that Bubbline is officially canon!
For the worse.
@@CaptainAmerica-ig1ys only fools actually believe that.
@@SuperLumianaire nah there actually are too many straights
I understand, I was raised in Italy, the most Catholic country out there, I have been living away from my Catholic family and not talking too them anymore, I am now living in London as a transgender woman and I haven't been happier
Thank you for feeling comfortable enough to share your personal story. This was a great video. Love to see this kind of content from you guys and it really is powerful.
Three years after you created this video, I'm getting teary-eyed here. Batwoman in Bad Blood and the comics were profound at a time in my life, and I really needed someone in my favourite comic universe - maybe not like me but more like me than anyone before. Thank you for being so genuine and sharing.
Watchtower database is always leavin me with a smile on my face
"Pluck the Thorn from your own eye, before worrying about the Splinter in your Neighbors"
JESUS, THE LORD AND MESSIAH
I’m gay and like my parents are religious, they get mad when I wear makeup and is my favorite hobby to do, but they always take it away from me. And I been sexually abuse by this guy, my consulor told me tell my parents about it but it won’t go well, I already know there gonna yell at me and not actually help what I been through.
So sorry to hear this, Luis. Stay strong. You’ll make it through this.
My suggestion would be go to the police. Gay or straight you was still sexually abused. Tell your parents and if they try to blame you or pull religious bs on you look them in the eye and say your son was sexually abuse." You will get through this.
Tell the police. What you’re going through needs to talked about by the police.
So sorry to hear it will be ok stay strong tell them and if they pull any of that is about gays going to hell just walk away and give the silent treatment
Lulu, please be safe. The abuse is not your fault. An adult is taking advantage and you are not to blame. Please speak to an abuse hotline or similar who can advise you in your area. Also please contact an lgbtq support organisation in your area or even in the nearest big city, especially If telling your parents will or could lead to you being kicked out. Please get support and speak out but please make sure you have a safety net in place. Too many lgbtq+ kids get thrown out and end up in very real danger. Your post is a couple of years old now so I hope you are in a better place now and have sought help. X
I'm gay and Static Shock was one of the cartoons that connected with me most as a kid. It's still one of my most nostalgic cartoons alongside Teen Titans (When I was growing up I had reruns of BTAS and STAS to watch, and those series are ones I'm still in love with, but something about following a series from it's premire episode to it's finale episode makes you feel extra attached). I remember being in high school, years after the show ended, when I read about Dwayne McDuffie saying that Ritchie in the cartoon was canonically gay. It really impacted me as a kid who was at the time in high school and also closeted (Coincidentally also wearing glasses). And I know that it was never an intended thing that McDuffie intended Virgil to be gay; but watching the series ever since then and still to this day now, I can't help but view Virgil and Ritchie as an ideal romantic couple since they are so loyal and comfortable with each other. I think about the episode where Ritchie's dad was being racist about Virgil's presence and it feels like it could just as easily be about a homophobic parent not wanting their kid to date guys. That and Virgil never progressed further than friendship with Frieda OR Daisy, where as Ritchie and he are still partners in the Batman Beyond future. It's just my personal headcanon, don't bash me for it.
That would be interesting. I think their relationship is cute too.
Nah Static Shock was most definitely not gay
They really missed a big opportunity with batwoman in the CW
This video is great! I'm not gay I'm straight but my mom and dad are really spiteful towards gay people I read comics and love all sorts of media and ever since my childhood I've been fine with gay people in media the world is changing and "older people" lol 😂 cain't shift with the times it's really sicking when I hear my parents put gay people down and if I say anything my dad will say the exact same thing your dad said Mattie so thx for being someone else that understands the LGBTQ community
June, 6, 2006 (6-6-6)!!!!
The number Of The Devil 😈
512/5000
I cried watching this video. I remembered from my childhood that the only gay representation I saw on show shows were stereotyped gays who were only meant to be jokes. I am happy to see that more and more I can see myself represented in a respectful way. the episode of Doom Patrol that you mentioned is my favorite of the season, I cried so much because it meant a lot to me. it's not just an episode of a hero series, it's an episode that talks about who I am and I'm proud of it
but here's the problem with gay or lesbian marriage. Who's second name do you pick? Seriously it rattle's my brain
@@ProjektTaku haha
@@JDdr86 muwa hahahaha
doom patrol is the best at representation. spreading Mental Awareness in a good way. Giving us a balanced strong yet flawed superheroines and Heroes. and finally giving us the best LGBT Superhero to date.
i think i'm from the town Danny the street is from. lol apparently Danny is Scottish
Jesus these comments, you guys are such trolls and haters. Nobody forced you to click on this video at all. The “x” button is right there.
Kaldur was actually confirmed to be Bi in the show with an onscreen kiss and they go on a mission together.
I think it's all a matter of what we CAN do in fiction, in sitcoms, for example, we CAN have characters like Will from "Will and Grace" and we also CAN have characters like Mike Baxter from "Last Man Standing". No restriction should be put upon us.
Except nobody’s saying we can’t. We’re just saying we want more than JUST them.
It’s so annoying that shows like Batman Animated series is also Y7 yet they show multiple kissing scenes in there between heterosexual couples (which in my opinion is too much for Y7 rating) yet they can’t talk about Richie being gay in Static Shock because it’s Y7. That’s pretty f***** up.
as a bisexal guy im happy I didn't grow up in the ''Bible Belt''
God, why can’t people love people for being people. Gay, straight, white, black, Asian, tall, short, fat, thin.
What the hell does it matter. Being gay, straight, transgender, bisexual, it’s all normal. Totally 100% normal. Everyone is different and everyone needs to be portrayed in media. I loved that Sulu was gay (but only in the JJverse). I’d wish Kirk was gay so he was so heterosexual as he was in conflict with it, or is bisexual. I always thought Kirk loved the Enterprise. Myself? I’d love loads of characters to be like Jack Harkness and Bill Potts in DW. :)
You left out Midnighter and Apollo. the married gay Superhero couple. You have to check them out. it's not often that we see gay men in a committed relationship in comics and their relationship is fully explored. I remember one issue where they had sex in the kitchen. the writer steve orlando a gay guy who wasn't shy or apologetic in his embrace of their lifestyle. midnighter is like a more brutal version of Batman while apollo is a literal sun god. I highly recommend their series. Midnighter and Apollo. Midnighter and the Authority. There's also from the bat family Cass cain who recently admitted her attraction to a female, harper Row and her Brother are both gay.
One phrase that keep bugging me every time I see it is the 'pushing an agenda' argument that conservatives often use...as if that somehow automatically means something is inherently bad. I mean, seriously, what's so bad about pushing an agenda? Especially if that agenda is 'Don't be a jerk' or 'Respect LGBT people as people too'? Is it just the word 'agenda' that sounds bad or is 'pushing an agenda' key for something I'm not familiar with?
I guess for people who desperately want to keep telling themselves that something doesn't exist, even hinting that it does feels like an attack. But, as Archie the Cockroach says, that's an explanation, not an excuse.
@@tyrone-samathekillerofsjws4077 Problem is, every story has things to say - on the surface and beneath. What about the stories whose message does align with your (or my) own social, moral, political values? We give those a pass, maybe even applause (unless they're so clumsy about it that we feel embarrassed). *Those* stories are allowed to have an agenda. But the ones which even faintly whiff of not conforming to our own values -- those we rage against for being politicized, agenda-driven, preachy, etc.
If having a black lesbian left-handed midget eskimo albino hero is "political", then so is having a straight white tall European right-handed male hero-- to the same extent, for the same reason.
And I always look at that and say "what's your agenda?" To conservatives.
Late to the party but i feel for ya. Representation really does matter. Sailor Moon's Neptune and Uranus were the first positive lgbt characters i encountered(or noticed anyway) and i was in the fourth grade then. The internet was much less helpful back then to. We have made so many strides and have so many more to go
I'm straight myself but I've always been taught to respect gay people. I was very curious about this video and I have to say it's truly well done! Top notch! The scene with the "Anti-Gay" woman's article is also truly hilarious! This video is truly well written and very respectful! And for everyone out there who has struggled with defining themselves or being accepted I send you my compassion and respect!
What i dont like is if being gay is a character's main trait. I personally dont like batwomans standalone stuff because i feel it focuses too much on it. But when her marriage was canceled i was very disappointed.
Then you should also have a problem when straight heroes do the same thing. I mean, almost every story about Spider-Man at least heavily features his relationship with Gwen Stacy/MJ/Black Cat. Same with Batman and his “will they won’t they?” routine with Catwoman
@@ravenfrancis1476 they "feature" but didnt focus on it entirely. I think thats the problem when people say certain Lgbt characters are bad, not because of homophobic, but only focusing on that trait
Unknown User Nah they’re homophobic.
@@ravenfrancis1476 but still, its a problem when characters only having Lgbt as their trait. While characters like Spidey and Batman like your example having complexity, and their relationship isnt the only thing that defines them.
Unknown User The thing is though, to a lot of people, us existing *at all* is shoving it down their throat or focusing on it entirely. There’s no way you can critique something for featuring LGBT+ characters and themes prominently without looking like a horrible asshole
At least Kathleen got the queer agenda right.
Acceptance and equality across the globe
Just seeing this now. What a great summary of DC content's queer representation and your relationship to it. Such an honest video. As an older gay dude who had a crush on Zan in the Superfriends during a time when Jack Tripper had to pretend he was gay to be able to rent an apartment with 2 women, yet be the painful fruit of all jokes... thank you for sharing. Representation does matter.
I am all kinds of impressed with the content and the presentation style here. I’ll say that I can see there being a benefit in playing this material, or incorporating it into a live presentation for an audience. Maybe to a comic convention kind of audience, maybe to a social workers/service organization kind of audience. A lot of different groups could benefit from the Information and insight and context you have offered here.
This is the first video I’ve watched from you and I’m already in love with you/ this channel. Subscribed. It’s unfortunate you weren’t raise in a more accepting home but you’re amazing to have become a better person through your experiences.
I would say Beast Boy is an LGBT character, mostly because he can transform into any animals and no animal has a distinct orientation and some frogs can actually change their gender.
And 300 somthing ither animal species are naturally basiclly bisexual as they engage in both hetro and homo behavior species wide
But hey at least you have James's basement to live in
(Jokes aside I'm so happy that you found the courage to share this story with us.)
Y'know, I've watched a few videos here and there due to recommendations and etc.
Now I'm a subscriber.
The info you brought about the characters weren't any news to me for the most part (and I'm actually more informed about the Arrowverse than you), but the WAY you presented it was really great and I did get to learn a few things (Specially since I can't legally watch Doom Patrol, as I'm Brazilian).
But the personal part almost had me cry.
It's been a while since I could identify myself in someone from such a different background (but somewhat similar too).
Thanks, Mateus. 😊
Always wanted to see Batwoman in the DCAU.
And I mean Kathy Kane, not those posers from Mystery of the Batwoman.
Do you mean Kate Kane the current BATWOMAN? Cause I don't think she was created until after the DCAU ended.
@@mttylerdurden9 Honestly would love to see her in one of these reunion films. Imagine Kevin Conroy's Batman interacting with Kate Kane. Along with the original Maggie.
This video was a really good watch for me. As a trans woman who fancies herself a fan-fiction writer, I often have to content myself with headcanons or what have you when it comes to the characters I love, as opposed to being able to really truly see someone like me very often in the media I consume.
I actually grew up in a house right next to my very conservative grandfather’s baptist church in Southern California (I know! Yikes!), and while it’s not a 1:1 match for what you went through, I still found so much to relate to in this video.
Thank you for making this video and publishing it.
I am so sorry people used Christ to hurt you. It is disgusting how people pervert the love of God to bring people pain.
I grew up in a pentacostal Christian home but i watched DCU as a kid and i loved the Batman Animated Show Most of all. Course i Always Wanted to be Robin, im 24 now and at 18 i came out as trans and pansexual my family won't talk to me but i don't regret my decision. I do wish there was more representation when i was little but I'm so glad there's more now and i hope to continue to see more.
Also growing up i both had a crush on and wanted to be Richie and Virgil in Static shock. I even insisted in wearing a blue hoodie like Richie's as a 6th grader.
My friend and I love the watchtower database's video's and last year he came out and when he saw this video it meant a lot to him
so thank you for this video
That’s awesome to hear! Love these kinds of comments. Tell your friend we love them too!
I've only just found this channel recently and explored your videos, but I'm glad I did. I love seeing this strive for equality and inclusion in the comic book community. Thank you for not ending your life because if you had, we wouldn't have all this wonderful content we now have. Thank you for having the courage to share your story as well (that's enough bravery to earn a Green Lantern ring ;). Thank you for being a force for good in this world.
The reason I never gave this much thought despite being like 80% lesbian (80/20 bi) is probably because I don't care about things like a character's race, gender, or sexuality UNLESS it plays a roll in the story. For example, Sons of the Fathers is one of the most powerful episodes of Static Shock BECAUSE the story of that episode was to bring up the issue of racism to the children who were watching it on TV, and I think that it handled that pretty well. However, with the Static in Africa episode, the inclusion of the question of if how Virgil felt while in Africa was how Richie felt all the time back in Dakota just felt out of place, and like a waste of run time, and when Anansi said that race doesn't matter, that was a really good message that felt like it really should have been in a better, more themed episode. It's one thing to say that the episode was there to bring attention to how black people feel in the US, but the problem was that it was a background thing that was only briefly touched upon in idle conversation, not a central theme. Likewise, if there's a story that's themed around LGBT issues, then yes, the characters' genders / orientations DO matter. You're not going to tell the struggles of a lesbian with a straight dude any better than you'll tell the struggles of a white dude with black woman. But then, if you're making a show for children, sexuality doesn't really need to be a primary theme. Saying it's okay to be gay, and having a same-sex couple on screen is fine, but regardless orientation, if you're making a show for children, then ALL of the more explicit content should be kept out of frame, not just gay content. When it comes to the gender or orientation of characters, it's either all okay- straight, gay, bi, men, women...- or NONE of it is okay. Children's shows, none of it's okay. Tween / young teen, it's all okay with scene cuts / fade to black. That's how I feel, but I also feel that it has to be relevant to the story first and foremost. If it's not important to the story, it doesn't need to be shown.
I'm a straight man, but a significant amount of my friends are LQBTQ. And I'm glad that people have finally started to figure out that being gay or trans isn't a "deviant act" and that they are just people.
Doom Patrol fucking destroyed me, really ignited my love of Grant Morrison.
a few of my Best friends are Gay, I'm Hetro and single.
Moonbeam 87 same here
Gr8 video i can really relate to your past. Growing up i remember specific moments of realizing my gender identity. Im almost at the verge of tears. In short Happy Pride Month
Thank you for your video I'm a straight man that believes in equality it's time for LGBT to have their representation great video friend.
Rafael Campos there isn't no such thing as equality, idiot.
The Darksider Your the idiot if you actually believe that. If you actually think one person should be more than the other based on the fact on their skin color and sexuality then you’re actually disgusting.
Well, it's been 4 years since this video came out, and I'm happy to report that yes, Young Justice has openly gay/bi characters in seasons 3 and 4.
Hey, we have the same birthday! I woke up the morning after my 17th birthday and found out from one of my friends screaming "MY BEST FRIEND CAN GET MARRIED NOW!" and it was heartwarming then. Now it means so much more to me, because now it means my fiance and I can get married too.
Wouldn't it have been wonderful to rename Lexington, Christopher?? Perhaps they should have done that during the series run
Season 3 of Young Justice shows Kaldur with his boyfriend, briefly
People and studios are afarid of backlash and controversy. Arthur had an episode which turned out Mr. Ratburn was gay and the controversy is actually really sad. Lots of stations refuse to air that episode. Parents complained that they have to explain to the kids difficult topics. War induced. Which is very sad because society should be more inclusive towards everyone.
Parents and society can either be the best or the worst. There is no in between which sucks.
Man. This video was really sad
loved this Vid
ur honesty and transparency is just pure
thank u for sharing ur thoughts
I think it's interesting that Batwoman is lesbian, since the first Batwoman was a bride of Batman just to throw-off people that accused Bruce of being homosexual with his ward.
It's great to see LGBT representation progressing more and more with time. I just hope that we start to see more the last letter of the acronym getting involved in the discussion too
As a bisexual middle schooler myself it is just horrible that we couldn’t represent them for years
I too didn't have a girlfriend until my senior in high school. Then my often drunk uncle said to me "shoot we worried about you, thought you were gay, always quiet and stuff". Like what the heck does that mean.
I’m in my 20s and I still don’t have a boyfriend. I want one but I’m too afraid to get myself out there. I mean how many guys are there that are Wiccan who happen to be supporters of the LGBTQAPDINB community and believe women should have equal rights? I don’t know any.
@@mirandagoldstine8548 funny, I actually do know a male Wiccan and huge supporter of LGBTQ+ but he's gay, so may not be your type.
One of my biggest pet peeves as a gay man is when comics, shows, or books throw in a gay character or make someone gay clearly only to show how woke they are. The character isn’t written as a character, they are written as a gay character. I’m all for more representation but I want it to be good representation, not someone wanting to win me over. JK Rowling saying Dumbledore is gay is all well and good, but as you said in the video, randomly saying “yeah, so and so is gay” after the series has come to its conclusion is clearly just tying to score brownie points and not actually put in the work to showing good representation. When Iceman came out as gay I was excited about this prominent member of the X-Men being a gay character and wanted to see how that would play out. He got an ongoing, but sadly superheroing and other aspects of his personality before the reveal were mostly dropped in favor of him talking about how gay he is, coming out to people, and dating.
Why can’t I read a comic where a gay guy just does what any other hero would do in a solo series? Why do they always have to deal with coming out and dating?
2:05 This is such a wild over reaction to someone just having black nails.
This video hit me where I live, and I’m grateful for it. When I think of myself, I think first of being a huge DC Comics nerd, and not the gay man I also am. It hurts my soul when others reduce my humanity to the types of sex I may or may not be having with my husband. It’s endlessly telling that ostensibly straight people think so deeply about my gay sexual activity.
Be you, darlin - no matter what that is!! I’m here for you, buddy.
Still waiting in a mainstream trans hero
There's Dreamer & Alyssa Yeoh, both are transwomen infact Alyssa was going to be in the Batgirl movie that got canned
@@ESTComicsEvolutions alysia isn't a hero. And Dreamer was made for the supergirl tv show, the character she's based on from legion of superheroes isn't trans. I meant more like a new character or interpretation of a character who gets their own series and it runs atleast for a bit
@@SavedAndConfused Dreamer was brought into the comics & Alysia has worn a superhero outfit in the bombshell comics
@@ESTComicsEvolutions I'm saying a hero who gets their own book. Not side characters who get used every so often
@@SavedAndConfused oh yeah agree then, I'm bi, and with Harley & Ivy broken up & Constantine not having his own comic rn, we got none
Thank-you for not making all Christians are like the ones you know.
@Thor Odinson "Thank-you for not making all Christians like the ones you know."
The overwhelming majority of Christians I know personally (even in my own family) would consider me an abomination if I ever came out to them so there are more homophobic “Christians” than actual Christians
@@ravenfrancis1476 I don't know the overwhelming majority of "Christians" you know, but I don't consider YOU as an abomination. Hating the sin does not mean hating the sinner. I am a sinner, too. You need to stop pretending you are a victim. I can't speak for you, but it's high time that people stop hating.
@@SkotNealey Yeah, except "hating the sin loving the sinner" is just an indirect way of saying you hate me. Being gay isn't a sin. Neither is being bi, or pan, or trans.
Joe Francis you clearly have no friends if you say this. You mean to tell me that all of your friends are perfect? How old are you? You can’t really believe what you just said, and be old enough to grasp the simple
Many, many years ago I was a member of an online Marvel fan group and one of the things we did for fun was create our own characters to use in each other stories. One of the characters I created strongly hinted at being gay but I never outright stated, "This guy is gay." Those hints were picked up on & the other members of the group made him & out proud gay man. I objected to this portrayal, simply because in my experience, gay super heroes weren't portrayed like that. Although we were just an online group, not restricted by codes & censorship, I was raised, by media & society, to believe that homosexuality could only be hinted at. That was how I lived my life as well. I would make "jokes" about how hot guys were when I was attracted to them. I got married, had kids, just like men were supposed to do. It wasn't until after my divorce that I finally acted on my attraction to men, still in secret as I was worried people would find out. I'm slowly coming out, confiding in only a few people, but I'm still haunted by an upbringing that told me I had to keep it a secret. I am glad that young people today have that representation & have an easier time with coming out, & I hope that one day I'm brave enough to fully come out myself.
If DC's so awesome with LGBT, where's my mainstream transgender superhero or villain?
Yeah, they did some good stuff, and I like how they were able to fit some subtexts into the DCAU, but while I'm not one for "we *must* have representation!", it would still be nice to see someone with the same identity as me on the big screen in DC.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Please know that you and your siblings are loved, by others, including by those of us who are Christian (or otherwise religious) and also recognize that God's true love accepts you as you are. I recognize that many people of various faiths condemn, but that is their interpretation, not all. Many of us hope to be allies.
I know how you feel man my dads side of the family are heavily aginst homosexuality to the point where i was cussed out for wanting ro move to California
I nearly spat my drink out when I saw the representation in Superman TAS, I didn't even know they were allowed to hint at it that much back in those days... And it's depressing that THAT'S what caused such a reaction
Every single DCAU “hint” flew completely over my head
Except for Hawk and Dove in their episode of JLU. Even as a kid I felt that they were heavily gay coded.
They’re brothers, soooooooo
Your story hit really close to home for me, Matt. Thank you.
I personally don’t give a damn who or what the character is, so long as it’s not the only thing that the characters about
my favorite was fire and ice they are perfect even though they are subtext
Personally speaking, I don't enjoy it when movies or TV shows or games or whatever overemphasize on a character/s' sexuality if it isn't essential or necessary to the plot. That being said, I would say that representation in a world with a goal of giving everyone an equal opportunity to go out there in the world and be themselves without discrimination or judgement. Judge a human being by who they are as a person, not the color of their skin, their sexual preference, body type, or etc.
That being said, thank you for sharing your story for those people out there that need to hear this. You can be considered a hero to many the same as some of these superheroes are considered to be heroes.
A solid way to nearly end pride month. Good.
Wish we could end it for good
@@th3envyp238 LMAO
Nothing proud about being a degenerate
@@jarlbalgruuf7701 bro shut up
@@th3envyp238 nope
5:11 I think it's more of a Joel Schumacher joke than a gay one, seeing as his name is Joel in the episode itself, which is an episode completely about the different perseptions and adaptations of Batman up until then.
That's what I always got from it.
...who is gay.
Yeah it’s more a joke to Schumacher’s Batman films but yeah it’s fair to say Joel being gay was part of the joke
Thank you so much for your thoughts. You made me cry a lot.
You should be proud of all the work you put on this video. Thank you for raising the topic and thank you for sharing your story. All of this makes me feel like I can belong in this community.
They actually got it right with Sara and Ava in Legends.
I have a friend who is writing a book of his own fictional kind of characters. He said that he was hesitant to put LGBT characters in there, not because he found immoral, but because he was afraid of getting death threats; and he wanted to put them in there. But he said and I quote, "If I don't put LGBT characters to be represented, I'll just be acting as those producers who just put weak subtlety or those who hate it." He is still working on that. And he also said that he hates how LGBT characters are portrayed in media such as, that anyone who LGBT needs to die in a movie, or that the gay male, as always has a female heterosexual friend, or that the gay males show some female characteristics in body gestures and stuff like that. He said he wants the LGBT character to be portrayed better. He told me that if you have LGBT character who is either main or supporting characters, do not have their story trying to figure out their sexuality or struggling with it because that is overrated just like how a black main character's story of dealing with discrimination and prejudice is overrated and a weak attempt of black story telling. My friend also said any gay fictional character can be brought up like a badass but there are so many stupid producers and sensitive people in the public to understand that. He also said that and I quote " Batman can still be himself and the same badass kicking ass and being a great detective fighting the bad guys and be gay while doing it. We can still have Batman the same way but the only difference would be his sexual orientation." I mean, look and James from "The Walking Dead final season video game. That kid is badass and he is gay. He seems like a guy we would see on a regular basis but is just gay; his homosexuality shouldn't matter. Using subtlety is very weak for representation just like the end of Legend of Korra.