SPOTLIGHT: Batwoman

If you go gay for comic books like me, you need to read the new issue of Batwoman #17.  After a hard day at the office; fighting Medusa with Wonder Woman and saving the world again, Kate Kane finally decides to take the plunge with girlfriend Maggie.   If this actually happens, this would make the second superhero wedding in the last year, mazel tov boys. 

Recently, we have seen quite a few superheroes come out of the comic book closet; DC's Batwoman and Green Lantern, Xmen's Northstar, and Hulking and Wiccan of Young Avengers.   When  Batwoman #1 was released, a friend and I ran to the comic book shop cooing about how awesome it was that Batwoman  is a lesbian.  I guess we were a little too exuberant,  because we were interrupted by a rather large man who wanted to know why superheroes needed to be gay at all.  Comic books are for children anyway, duh.  I resisted the urge to ask him, if comics where only for kids, then why was he reading The Avengers?  Instead I just stated the obvious, “Gay kids need superheroes too.”  Enter Katherine Kane. In 2009, Gregg Rucka and JH Williams III presented a bad ass 21^st century heroine who was sexy, dangerous, smart and very gay.  Although inspired by Batman she is independent of him, fights in her own universe, and loves in her own way.  The first few issues do a spectacular job of weaving together present story lines and backstory.  We learn that Kate Kane is a military brat, whose mother and twin sister were kidnapped and killed when she was a child.  In issue #2, Kate is kicked out of West Point for kissing a girl and spirals out of control into the stable arms of Police Officer Renee Montoya.  One night, after kicking the rusty butt of a mugger, she is “saved” by the big guy himself.  The imagery is powerful. It is dark and raining - Batman swoops down, the mugger runs away, he extends a hand, pulls her from the ground, and shoots back into the sky - leaving Kate alone.  She stares  into the bat signal, all at once remembering who she was and knowing what she must do.  

Superheroes have always appealed to queer culture.  It is not a stretch to see why queer kids feel a connection to them.   Many superheroes live among society but are separate from it.  They struggle to live like 'normal’ citizens, while hiding secret identities and leading double lives.  Because of their dual obligations, it is often difficult to maintain truthful relationships with those closest to them.  And they all seem to know someone who does fabulous costume work.  The parallels go on and on, and  I am excited that writers and artists are brave enough now to portray queer characters on the panel.  And anyway you draw it - that is a good thing.   Batwoman #18 premieres March 20th.  If you haven’t picked her up yet, I heard she’s pretty easy. DC Comics has digital copies of the series on sale for .99-$2.99.  Get it girl.

My Top 10 Queer History Films

Attention class.  Before we begin our yearly pilgrimages to various cities, states and countries to celebrate pride season, I think its important to remember how we got here.  What better way to do that than in front of the TV or computer screen!  Grab your lover, friends and that baby gay from the coffee shop, and kick off the season right with a little dose of history.  I promise it will only hurt a little bit.  Here are my top queer historical  type films. For future references, I only recommend films I have seen.  

1995

          The Celluloid Closet is the most prolific body of work that documents GLBT representation in film I have ever seen.  From the introduction of the “fairy boy” in 1912, to the loud and proud drag queen in 1994, this doc is one of my favorites of all time.  The Celluloid Closet is literally “Queer Film 101.” 

1984

1999

     Before Stonewall follows the LGBT movement from the early whispers of the Homophile meetings and the coveted dime store magazine, to the Stonewall riots in 1969. Narrated by Rita Mae Brown, this documentary is full of images, interviews and information about the queer community before it came        out to the world. 

               

Narrated by Melissa Etheridge, After Stonewall documents the 30 year equality fight since the Stonewall riots.  The film shows the emergence of queer positive portrayal in the media, the struggles of the AIDS crisis, and the formation of a people persistent on equal rights.

1990

   Before RuPaul there was Paris DuPree.   One of the first portrayals of the Black and Latino drag culture on film.  Paris is Burning is raw and passionate, exploring issues of race, class, gender and the ball scene in New York City.                       

2001

        

Trembling Before G-D is one of the few documentaries about the lives of queer Orthodox Jews, who try various methods to reconcile their faith and sexuality. 

    The Times of Harvey Milk is a great film that highlights the career and assassination of Harvey Milk, San Francisco’s first openly gay supervisor.  Its power lies in its depiction of the Anti-Gay movement, the birth of traditional values coalitions and the politicization of the queer citizen.  

1984

2008

     Milk is an auto-biography of the personal and political life of Harvey Milk. I put this on the list because it is such a compliment to the documentary and Sean Penn’s performance is excellent.

     The Laramie Project is based on the play about the killing of Matthew Shepard and its effects on the small town of Laramie Wyoming.  A haunting exploration into the complexities of being gay in the heartland.  

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2002

Narrated by Rupert Everett, Paragraph 175 chronicles the lives of gay men and women under the oppression of Nazi Germany.  The imagery is wonderful and ghoulish.  The storytelling is fantastic.

2002

2007

Call Me Troy is an honest piece that I first saw at a film festival in Austin.  It follows the life of Reverend Troy Perry, the founder of the Metropolitan Community Church.  This church was the first of its kind, built by and for the GLBT community. 

This pride season celebrate with a purpose.  XOXO.

Gay Women Will Marry Your Boyfriends

Who says that debates over marriage equality have to be all sighs and gnashing of teeth.  If months or years of trying to convince your mom, sister or the nosy neighbor down the street that your marriage will not interfere with theirs hasn't worked, then give them a reason to worry.  The awesome ladies of the UnsolicitedProject, have presented a plethora of reasons why lesbians can and will marry their boyfriends if we can't have our way.  And the boys will like it.

A link to the original video is here.

Check Out "So God Made a Gay Man"

Crew Magazine released this video called "So God Made a Gay Man," that operates on the same meme as the "So God Made a Farmer" Superbowl commercial.  Much like the commercial, this video packs quite an emotional punch.  Warning: May not be suitable to watch in public if you are a crier.  Just sayin'.

If the embedded video acts up go to the Youtube video here

 And the church said, "Amen".

This Man: Tim McCormick

Tim McCormick

Cody Medley

 Last Saturday Indianapolis lost two of its finest.  Medic 50, driven by EMT Tim McCormick,24, and his work partner Cody Medley,22, was struck in a head on collision while on duty. Both men died as a result of their injuries. Fellow healthcare workers and friends describe the pair as passionate about their jobs and eager to make a difference in the community.  In McCormick's brief career he had indeed made a difference.  He was a first responder in the south side explosion in November and in the Indiana State Fair stage collapse.  I did not know Tim, but a visit to his  Youtube Channel will tell you all you need to know about the courage and compassion of this proud gay EMT.

My dad is a firefighter and paramedic in Houston.  I know firsthand the type of strength it takes to do this man's job.  I know the character it requires to do your best work on someone else's worst day.   Although I did not know Tim McCormick, I mourn his passing because of his dedication and ultimate sacrifice to the service of a state that did not view him as equal under the law.  Like all EMTs, this man ran to places where others fled from.  He comforted the living, fought for the wounded, and took the dead home.  Yet in 29 states he could have been fired for being openly gay.  This man who raced toward screaming metal and stage debris, was banned from giving blood to the very people he saved.  This man who nurtured the smudged and singed victims of a south side blast on Saturday night, was told that his love is a sin by their pastors on Sunday morning.

Today the Indianapolis community laid Tim McCormick to rest.  Tomorrow morning there will be a memorial service for both of the EMTs, where I know there will be more men and women like this man.  People who are eager and want to make a difference.  People who move forward while others move away.  People who love, and hope, and fight for towns and cities that won't do the same for them.  People like this man.  And I am grateful for it.

Sullivan We Have a Problem

In Sullivan Indiana, senior students are preparing for the hallmarks of American life; senior pictures, graduation and prom. The prom at Sullivan High School includes a grand march, where couples are presented before the big dance.  In January a petition circulated that asked that gay couples be included in the tradition.  The request generated a case of gay panic that put Sullivan on the national stage.  A group of students began a push for a separate, more “traditional prom” in response.  It is ironic that the push for the “straights only” prom, and subsequent Facebook page, has done little more than produce a ton of dislikes and outrage.  Now the school district and residents are tripping all over themselves to create separation between the town and this sad knee jerk reaction to a few queer couples wanting to rock that Gangnam style.   

When I first heard this story I was shocked but not surprised, after all this is still the Midwest.  Perhaps it was an association of the “traditional prom” with the “whites only” vibe that initially caused my discomfort.  But it was the corn husk reality slap that stunned me.  In a time where the LGBTQ movement is moving at warp speed, incidents like this can cause major whiplash when they grab you by the ankles.  When some of us live in a state where we can get married and walk hand and hand with our significant others without causing a ruckus, we forget that the majority of America is Sullivan Indiana.  The thousands of towns and small cities that dot this nation are the true representatives of the country.  What they believe, what they think, tells us where the nation is.  And right now, the nation is a little offended about a couple of gay kids going to prom together, so offended that they need to have a “traditional prom”. 

I don’t know if the secondary prom will ever happen.  And if it does, how will they enforce the “straights only” rule?  Will there be gay screeners of sorts or bouncers mayhaps?  I think it unfortunate that Sullivan now bares a homophobic stigma.  And I am even more embarrassed to live in a state that something like this could happen in.  I hope the kids that dared to be themselves don’t let this mess ruin their big day.  If you’re in Indiana or are just a supporter of equality, write in, give money, and give time to Sullivan High’s original prom.  Make it the most AWESOME prom ever, and let the “traditional prom” be what it is going to be without the gay….lame. 

Read the original story here