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Resource type: Journal Article Language: en: English Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1080/21504857.2017.1288641 BibTeX citation key: Dauw2018 Email resource to friend View all bibliographic details |
Categories: General Keywords: "Young Avengers", Gender, Stereotypes, Superhero, USA Creators: De Dauw Collection: Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics |
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Abstract |
According to Suzanne Danuta Walters, increased visibility of gay characters does not mean the removal of stereotypes and positive representation in popular media, nor does increased visibility of a minority automatically challenge the status quo. In terms of comic book characters, how do gay characters perform gender and either perpetuate or disprove existing stereotypes about straight men and women, and about gay men and women? This article will discuss how Wiccan and Hulkling from Young Avengers enact homonormativity as a way to gain social acceptance and re-inscribe stereotypical gender roles, where Hulkling functions as the masculine partner and Wiccan as his feminised counterpart. When homonormativity, the perpetuation of heteronormativity by gay characters, is performed, gay characters become socially acceptable. Yet, even heteronormative gay characters are still othered, which Wiccan and Hulkling both exemplify when they are isolated from each other.
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