Wonderfully Queer

So, goodness, it seems like forever since we’ve talked – really talked. I mean we’ve talked about AfterEllen. And then I was moving so mostly I just showed you pictures. But by “talking” I mean talked about random super gay stuff which makes the important ephemera of our lives. Like, the fact that Wonder Woman is now officially queer. When current Wonder Woman comic writer Greg Rucka said those words out loud during an interview last week it was a simultaneous “Wow!” and “Duh!” Duh, because Wonder Woman comes from a Paradise Island populated only by Amazonian women. So, obviously, if the women on said island are leading healthy, happy lives and relationships those relationships are with other women. To quote Rucka:

“…when you start to think about giving the concept of Themyscira its due, the answer is, “How can they not all be in same sex relationships?” Right? It makes no logical sense otherwise.

It’s supposed to be paradise. You’re supposed to be able to live happily. You’re supposed to be able — in a context where one can live happily, and part of what an individual needs for that happiness is to have a partner — to have a fulfilling, romantic and sexual relationship. And the only options are women.

But an Amazon doesn’t look at another Amazon and say, “You’re gay.” They don’t. The concept doesn’t exist.

Now, are we saying Diana has been in love and had relationships with other women? As Nicola and I approach it, the answer is obviously yes.”

That is a pretty thoughtful and thorough explanation of the very nature of Wonder Woman.

Now the wow part comes in because, wow, Wonder Woman really is a queer lady. Sure we knew. Like nudge-nudge, wink-wink knew. But to hear it said out loud still matters very deeply. Earlier this week a while vice presidential debate went by without a single question about LGBT people despite one of the candidate’s record as being one of the most virulently anti-gay governors in the nation. So, yeah, it matters each time another person, real or fictional, comes out and is counted. Also, come on, she is Wonder Woman. With all due respect to Supergirl and Batwoman, Wonder Woman is the most famous female superhero – period. So to have her be a queer lady is a Big Fucking Deal, Joe Biden.

Yet the question remains, will we see it. You can say all you want that a character is queer – heck you can even make them queer after the fact à la J.K. Rowling. But as the saying goes, seeing is believing. Or that old writer’s rule: Show, don’t tell. To that point Ruckas was equally thoughtful, if much more open-ended. As such I’m not expecting a, “Yep, I’m a gay Amazon” moment from Wonder Woman anytime soon. But he also seems to realize the importance of Wonder Woman’s queer visibility on the page.

“It doesn’t matter if I say, “Yes, she’s queer.” Or “No, she’s not queer.” It matters what you get out of the book. Can you find it? Is it there? Is it on the page in action or in deed? Then, there’s your answer.”

So, she’s here, she’s queer. But we won’t get used to it until we see it.