Monday, September 20, 2010

Batwoman: Lesbian

Although many lesbian and bisexual ladies love reading sapphic subtext into movies, books, and television shows, it is still quite fun when subtext because maintext and a fictional character "comes out."

In somewhat old, but relevant, news, comic book character Batwoman is apparently a lesbian, and was "partly based on the experiences of Dan Choi" who was discharged from the Army under Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT). As Robert de Neufville explains:

"Normally, I don’t like spinoff superheroes. I would prefer a female hero with a compelling backstory of her own than a spinoff a of a popular male character. Barbara Gordon was more interesting as Oracle than as junior Batman copy Batgirl. And don’t even get me started on spinoffs like Bat-Mite or Ace the Bat-Hound. But the new Batwoman succeeds as a character precisely because she’s not really a copy of Batman. Batman is driven by the murder of his parents to protect those who are as innocent and vulnerable as he once was. Batwoman’s story is more about being true to her own identity. As she tells her commanding officer, all she has ever wanted since her mother and sister were murdered when she was a child is to serve. But denying her sexuality would require her the West Point Cadet Honor Code, which says 'A cadet shall not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those who do.' She becomes Batwoman only after she is forced to choose between serving her country and the principles for which it stands."


Sounds pretty cool. I'll keep my fingers crossed that Ms. Kane doesn't eventually succumb to any Dead Lesbian Cliche villainery.

In other news, Leftist Gender Warrior says, "Say, if you're not doing anything Friday..."

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