The Correllation Between Lesbians and Comic Popularity

Collapse · Post by **Collapse** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 11:27 am

Continuing on a thought I didn't really have time to post earlier, I think that the depiction of lesbian relationships can be a very good thing if done tastefully. Examples of this are Angels, as I already said, Falcon Twin, and both of CJ's comics. These all approach female homosexuality in a positive way, portraying it honestly and in good taste rather than using it for votes or attention.

Well, it's lunch, and I'm freaking hungry, so more on this later!

Vorticus · Post by **Vorticus** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 11:30 am

I think it's lazy to include a homosexual character in your comic, in the same way it's lazy to make the main character a geeky video gamer. You don't take the time to actually develop a character, you just play to stereotypes and watch the simple minded masses roll in.

[geoduck] · Post by **[geoduck]** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 11:57 am

collapse wrote:Continuing on a thought I didn't really have time to post earlier, I think that the depiction of lesbian relationships can be a very good thing if done tastefully. Examples of this are Angels, as I already said, Falcon Twin, and both of CJ's comics. These all approach female homosexuality in a positive way, portraying it honestly and in good taste rather than using it for votes or attention.

While I agree that Angels does a good job, it should be pointed out that in this one particular case calling the characters "lesbians" isn't really accurate; they use each other because there are absolutely no men around. (Or at least none that they know of.)

Luprand · Post by **Luprand** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 12:11 pm

As usual, I'm of two minds on the subject. Personally, I draw a comic without homosexual characters because, well ... I don't know many homosexual people, and the ones I do don't act according to any of the stereotypes most people have. I also grew up being called gay on a regular basis, which might explain why I still stand back from such issues.

That said, I don't much care for blatant sex jokes in the media, no matter the medium, no matter the alignment. Call me a throwback or whatnot, but I look at sex as something private, tender, generally something shared between people who love each other. Throwing sex in the open destroys the mystery that makes me respect it.

Man, there is /no/ way to phrase that without making it sound wrong. But I hope you get the idea.

--Sij

Isukiyomi · Post by **Isukiyomi** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 5:36 pm

I couldn't really decide what to vote, so I voted impartial. I know a good deal of gay and lesbian people particularly on my campus whom are struggling to make themselves heard and noticed in a heteronormative society that thinks that queerness is the new black. But if it were, homosexuality should be just as accepted as heterosexuality.

Men and women are still being looked down upon by their families for being gay/lesbian(many firends of mine for that matter), so the media's attention to the increased publicity of homosexual issues may be responsible for the exploitation(I'm not sure if this is the correct word to use). But this seems to be in the U.S which has recently recongized that gay/lesbian people have money to spend and thus, make it their business to get their money.There are countries were being gay/lesbian is illegal (Jamaica for instance) so maybe having webcomics that are LGBT(etc) visible can allow people to safely explore their sexuality without being bashed.

Perhaps this is what is happening in the webcomic world but I think it all goes back to sex selling. I am personally a yaoi buff but most of the webcomics I read having nothing to do with yaoi. If I want yaoi manga, I know where to go.

In my comic most of the comic characters either know of their orientation or are just discovering it, but that isn't the main focus of the story. I don't advertise my comic as the comic where some of the men and women are not straight, I adverstise my comic on the strength of the plot(and subplots)and ideals being expressed and hope that people read it because of that. My characters are indivdual people, not stereotypes (took me a damn long time to flesh everyone out!) and I hope that people can see that when they read my comic. I think I've gone on long enough ^^;;

McDuffies · Post by **McDuffies** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 3:16 am

Vorticus wrote:I think it's lazy to include a homosexual character in your comic, in the same way it's lazy to make the main character a geeky video gamer. You don't take the time to actually develop a character, you just play to stereotypes and watch the simple minded masses roll in.

Word.

I also grew up being called gay on a regular basis, which might explain why I still stand back from such issues.

Eh, the fate of us geeky kids, eh?

There are countries were being gay/lesbian is illegal (Jamaica for instance) so maybe having webcomics that are LGBT(etc) visible can allow people to safely explore their sexuality without being bashed.

In Serbia it's legal, but if you're openly gay, you literally risk of being stoned by an angry mob.

Prettydragoon · Post by **Prettydragoon** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 5:45 am

rkolter wrote: It's just something new. Eventually the public will get tired of it's new toy and homosexual sex will fall into the same catagory of heterosexual sex - just another tool that sells.

That's what I am looking forward to. Eventually being homosexual will be just another minor quirk, rather like being left-handed or being red-headed.

OMG TEH H0T L3FT-HAND3D ACT10N!!!111

And yes, I like seeing lesbian characters in comics. I also like seeing Finnish characters. For some reason, I've come across many more of the former than the latter.

And I don't much appreciate either being used in an exploitative or stereotyped fashion.

RPin · Post by **RPin** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 5:56 am

Erm... I think I should keep my mouth shut.

McDuffies · Post by **McDuffies** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 6:00 am

prettydragoon wrote:And yes, I like seeing lesbian characters in comics. I also like seeing Finnish characters. For some reason, I've come across many more of the former than the latter. And I don't much appreciate either being used in an exploitative or stereotyped fashion.

Do you know that being Finnish is illegal in some U.S.A. states?

Prettydragoon · Post by **Prettydragoon** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 6:05 am

mcDuffies wrote: Do you know that being Finnish is illegal in some U.S.A. states?

Doesn't surprise me at all.

Isukiyomi · Post by **Isukiyomi** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 6:16 am

RPin wrote:Erm... I think I should keep my mouth shut.

oh come on...pretty please?

McDuffies · Post by **McDuffies** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 10:31 am

Now it's time to turn this thread into a philosophical discussion too.

Toxic · Post by **Toxic** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 12:06 pm

Luprand wrote:That said, I don't much care for blatant sex jokes in the media, no matter the medium, no matter the alignment. Call me a throwback or whatnot, but I look at sex as something private, tender, generally something shared between people who love each other. Throwing sex in the open destroys the mystery that makes me respect it.

*Steals Luprand's virginity when he's not looking*

Luprand · Post by **Luprand** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 12:22 pm

ANAL-RAPED!

Ow! My virginity!

--Sij

Dr.Otto · Post by **Dr.Otto** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 12:37 pm

---Hell, I've got a hetero couple that's MARRIED. No wonder I have pageview problems. :p

Tim · Post by **Tim** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 2:40 pm

True, but you make up for that with gratuitous...uh, gratuities.

<awful pun>That's right, they've got big tips. </awful pun>

McDuffies · Post by **McDuffies** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 2:46 pm

*finds Luprand's virginity laying in the street*

Hey! Did someone lost virginity?

RPin · Post by **RPin** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 3:02 pm

Isukiyomi wrote:
RPin wrote:Erm... I think I should keep my mouth shut.
oh come on...pretty please?

Well... I was just going to say that I'd look hypocrite if I said anything against putting lesbians on comics. I mean, I DO enjoy the occasional fanservice, and I'm not ashamed to say that I am often turned on by lesbian action.

Yeah, I'm a loser, I know. But remember, kids: Porn is your friend!

McDuffies · Post by **McDuffies** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 3:13 pm

RPin wrote:
Isukiyomi wrote:
RPin wrote:Erm... I think I should keep my mouth shut.
oh come on...pretty please?
Well... I was just going to say that I'd look hypocrite if I said anything against putting lesbians on comics. I mean, I DO enjoy the occasional fanservice, and I'm not ashamed to say that I am often turned on by lesbian action.

Yeah, I'm a loser, I know. But remember, kids: Porn is your friend!

But... mommy said it makes hair grow on our palms...

Warren · Post by **Warren** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 3:35 pm

Not true!

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The Correllation Between Lesbians and Comic Popularity

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