The new superman soars with rainbow colours
American comic book publisher, DC comics, announced that the new Superman will be a bisexual man. The announcement was made on the National Coming Out Day (October 11), an annual LGBT awareness day started in the US. So, Jonathan Kent (17), the new Superman, will be seen in a romantic relationship with a male friend, Jay Nakamura. “Superman’s symbol has always stood for hope, for truth and for justice.
Today, that symbol
represents something more,” tweeted Tom Taylor, writer of the series. The announcement has spread cheer among activists and supporters of the LGBTQIA+ community. “Introducing Kent as a bisexual man will be relatable to the new Gen-Z audience,” says Ramkrishna Sinha of Pride Circle, adding, “It’ll also break down the walls that sexuality creates in people’s head about limiting ones action and personality.”
Many believe that it will help break stereotypes for bisexual representation. Deepak Kashyap, a mental health counsellor on diversity and inclusion, says, “Bisexual and gay men are not considered typical ‘men’, as they do not fit into the definition of what is most commonly known among people. But, when you put someone like Superman in that position, it challenges the whole idea.”
Queer rights’ activist
Anwesh Sahoo feels this move will add a new dimension to Superman’s identity. “Superman has always been a powerful character, someone who stands for justice, truth and hope. The character has been hyper-masculine. Introducing his sexuality is a beam of light in the world where bi-erasure is a reality,” he shares.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first LGBTQIA+ character by DC Comics. In Batman: Urban Legends, Tim Drake, Batman’s third Robin, was revealed as a bisexual young man. Also Aquaman: The Becoming features Jackson Hyde, a young gay superhero known as Aqualad.
However, filmmaker Faraz Arif Ansari isn’t happy with the decision. “The franchise is introducing much-needed, long-overdue progress along the edges — a sympathetic villain, a supporting queer character. Their plan has been simple: reintroduce deepbench characters that haven’t appeared in any comic for decades and shove them with a samesex partner,” says Ansari.
Writer Salim Khan wants actor Amitabh Bachchan to retire gracefully. “He has achieved all that he had to,” Khan told Dainik Bhaskar. He added that one must enjoy life instead of continuing in the race.