Today in Imperfect Representation: One of the Original X-Men Just Came Out as Gay
Brian Michael Bendis’ All-New X-Men #40 won’t be released until tomorrow, but leaked pages uploaded to Tumblr show that this issue contains a huge reveal for one of the original mutants. Spoilers to follow.
In the upcoming issue, Bobby Drake, aka Iceman, salutes the “unbelievable hotness” of Magik and is then confronted in semi-private by Jean Grey, who reminds him she’s a psychic and knows he’s gay. Bobby initially disagrees, reminding Jean that his older self dates women (the All-New X-Men features Angel, Beast, Cyclops, Iceman and Jean Grey time traveling and interacting with their future selves), before saying that maybe he’s bisexual instead. Jean replies “they say everybody is. But I think you’re more…full gay,” prompting a tearful hug between the two. (To see the panels in question, head over to NewNowNext.)
As pumped as I am that X-Men has added another canon gay character (for a comic that’s often seen as an allegory for the LGBTQ+ experience, the franchise’s representation leaves a lot to be desired), some aspects of Jean and Bobby’s exchange don’t sit well with me. The disconcerting elements of their conversation might stick out less in the context of the entire issue, but as important as it is to celebrate X-Men‘s increased inclusivity, it’s equally important to note some of the problematic implications of Bobby’s reveal.
As a bi woman, some of my deepest insecurities about my identity arise from the popular misconception that bisexuality is a shield people hide behind when they’re not ready to be completely honest with themselves or with others. Bisexuality is frequently dismissed as a temporary hitching-post for men too afraid to reveal that they’re, as Jean puts it, “full gay,” and the perceived implications surrounding female bisexuality, although slightly different, are also incredibly invalidating.
Obviously Jean’s psychic powers complicate matters, but it would still have been heartening to see a character come out as bi without immediately being faced with skepticism. Bisexuality isn’t the same thing as being confused or in denial, and Bobby’s “full gayness” could have easily been revealed without throwing other members of the LGBTQ+ spectrum under the bus.
As The Mary Sue contributor Marcy Cook points out, the time travel aspect of All-New X-Men also complicates things:
Young Ice-man gay, older Ice-man not gay. HOW can that be handled well. What msg is this sending to readers? ‘You get better?’ So annoyed! — Marcy Cook (@marcyjcook) April 21, 2015
In the leaked pages, Bobby wonders if maybe his older self is in the closet because “he couldn’t handle being a mutant and gay in a society that had issues with both? And one is easier to…”put away” than the other?” He and Jean then discuss the women Iceman senior has dated, with Jean mentioning that he never dated women “well,” using Kitty Pryde (who “no longer lives on Planet Earth”) as an example of the elder Iceman’s disastrous attempts at heterosexuality.
Problematic elements in Bobby’s coming out story might not even be worth mentioning if LGBTQ+ readers had the representation they deserve in comics or nerd culture overall; but as it stands, Iceman’s sexuality is the exception to the norm, and as such, it’s a shame the continuity of the X-Men universe implies that Bobby will either “get better”, ie “less gay,” or that he’ll stay in the closet due to societal pressures.
The latter outcome might be realistic, but it also seems like a missed opportunity; it would be awesome if X-Men fans struggling with their own identity could be inspired by an Iceman who’s actually enjoying his life as a mature gay man, but right now the character just seems like a reminder that sometimes, it doesn’t “get better.”
Of course, it would also be great if society stopped seeing straightness as default so “coming out of the closet” and all its implications was no longer necessary. From henceforth, I propose no more presuming heterosexuality in X-Men.
What do you think of All-New X-Men‘s reveal, gang?
[UPDATE] Bendis and Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso have addressed the decision to have Iceman come out of the closet; you can read their statements here.
(via Comic Book Resources)
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