Is Cher Still a Gay Icon?

Today: The Flying Monkey answers all questions, including: now that pro-gay Disney owns Marvel, will we see a gay movie superhero?

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Q: Is Cher a gay icon? She doesn't, or didn't seem supportive about her daughter coming out, or becoming a man. So how exactly is she an ally? – Anonymous

A: I asked around the AfterElton.com cyber-office, and we all had slightly different opinions on this.

One person thought it didn’t change anything: she’s 65-years-old, this was her own daughter, transgender issues are complicated, and she eventually came strongly around. For this person, it was a good thing that Cher had the guts to go public about her initial negative reservations, to serve as kind of a “role model” for other parents (and also their gay kids: “If even Cher can have a problem, maybe I need to be more understanding of my parents, give them some time”). If anything, these revelations of her flaws just made Cher seem more human – which is never a bad thing in a gay icon.

Two folks pointed out that an icon isn’t necessarily the same thing as an ally – but that Cher is indisputably an icon, just by virtue of her dazzle (“she’s a virtual walking Pride parade!”), her attitude, and because we’ve made her that through our doting fan-worship.

Several people pointed out that “gay icon-hood” is changing: it used to be enough just to be fabulous, but that now we expect more, especially since there is no longer any real “risk” to having gay fans: so icons now have to earn our support, like Gaga and Cyndi, with words and deeds. But that even so, Cher still seemed to qualify.

And one person acknowledged all of the above, but was still a little disappointed, at least with Cher’s extreme discomfort with Chaz recent gender-change. Cher was reportedly so upset with Chaz that she literally cut of all contact with him for an entire year – and that this was only a couple of years ago. For this person (and acknowledging we don’t know all the details), this seemed like a sign of real self-absorption, which may not be a bad thing in a gay icon, but it may not the best thing in a human being.

My own opinion? Well, it’s mixed into the above comments somewhere. But for the first time in my life, I’m not saying more!

Q: With the takeover of Marvel Studios by Disney, is there any indication that we may see more gay superheroes within the Marvel Universe, due to Disney being gay-friendly? -- MarvelGuy

A: It’s a great question, but I wouldn’t count on it. I think we’re still a LONG time away from an out gay movie superhero, even with Disney at the ultimate helm.

First, there are very, very, very few out leading gay characters in any of the movies from the six major movie studios (one of which is Disney). In 2010, there were … none (and one supporting character I can think of, in Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World). In 2009, there were … none (and one supporting character, in I Love You, Beth Cooper). And in 2008, there was … well, kinda sorta one if you count the horrible Meet the Spartans.

There have been a smattering of other leading and supporting gay characters in mainstream film over the last few years (in films like Easy A, Milk, and Burlesque), but these come mostly from studio subsidiaries, major-minor studios, or indies – most of which would never produce a superhero movie, because they’re among the most expensive movie genre of all (because of the heavy special effects required).

Which is the real point here. Because of their cost, superhero movies have to appeal to the largest possible audience. As a result, the convetional wisdom says most of their leads must be male, straight, and white (or African Americans like Will Smith, with proven audience appeal).

I can see the day coming when a gay superhero could be part of an ensemble superhero cast (like Watchmen, except a bigger part). But gay characters aren’t part of upcoming films like The Avengers or the recently rebooted X-Men franchise, and I know of nothing in the works.

(There could be a TV version of Perry Moore's gay teen superhero book Hero, which was rejected by Showtime, but is now in the works at Starz. Moore died recently, and was actively working on the teleplay, but the project is reportedly still in development.)

Have a question about gay male entertainment? Contact me here (and be sure and include your city and state and/or country!)