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Stan Lee's Death Brings Tributes, Critiques From LGBTQ Twitter
Stan Lee's Death Brings Tributes, Critiques From LGBTQ Twitter
Many LGBTQ fans said they could relate to Lee's Marvel Comics characters, while there were also accusations of bigotry -- and rebuttals.
The news of Stan Lee's death today has led some LGBTQ fans to share fond remembrances of the man and his work, others to scorn him.
Lee, the writer, editor, and publisher who created or co-created many of Marvel Comics' most famous superheroes, including the X-Men, Spider-Man, and Black Panther, died at age 95 in Los Angeles.
Many LGBTQ fans of posted on Twitter to mourn and share how much the characters he created meant to them. But others called him racist and homophobic, and accused him of various unsavory behaviors.
\u201csorry but really can't get on-board with this hero praising for stan lee in wake of his death when his has a problematic past with women, the LGBT+ community, and POC as well as screwing Jack Kirby and other creators out of their credits (and possibly money).\u201d— hot mess express (@hot mess express) 1542053199
But many Marvel fans contended Lee was not homophobic, racist, or bigoted in any way. These fans note that Lee once called bigotry and racism a deadly social plague and had a conversation with Newsarama in which he said there was "certainly" a place for "gay superheroes" in the Marvel Universe -- although he said characters who were created as white and straight, like Spider-Man, should stay that way.
\u201cHe helped give me a sense of hope. Why? Because I could use all his lessons in real life. That\u2019s why his stories were so powerful. It wasn\u2019t the super powers (sometimes it was). But as I got older, Stan Lee...\u201d— Brad Meltzer (@Brad Meltzer) 1542049236
LGTBQ fans also pointed out that they could especially relate to the X-Men, a group of powerful outcasts often seen as a metaphor for the queer experience.
\u201cI don\u2019t think Stan Lee estimated the impact misunderstood mutants like The X-Men would have on the LGBT community. For that I will always be greatful. RIP Legend \ud83d\ude4c\ud83c\udffd\ud83d\ude4c\ud83c\udffd\ud83d\ude4c\ud83c\udffd\u201d— unapologetically soft (@unapologetically soft) 1542052232
\u201cNever forget how important Stan Lee was! He opened so many doors for representation with his characters; X-Men and Black Panther were game changers for the lgbt and poc! He wrote the underdog stories that were needed and Marvel have thankfully continued this. Thank You, Stan!\u201d— lex joyce (@lex joyce) 1542049352
\u201cSo sad to hear of the death of Stan Lee. Comics have played a such big part of my life. Growing up LGBT+ and feeling isolated and alone the X-men in particularly resonated with me. RIP :( #Excelsior\u201d— Daryn Carter MBE (@Daryn Carter MBE) 1542051907
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