The two comic book giants are the targets du jour of ultra-conservative Christian group, One Million Moms, after DC’s announcement that one of their existing characters would be reintroduced into the New 52 as gay and Marvel’s upcoming same-sex marriage between Northstar and Kyle Jinadu in the pages of Astonishing X-Men #51.

This week’s news concerning DC and Marvel’s gay characters has drawn the ire of One Million Moms, who announced in their press release that “These companies are heavily influencing our youth by using children’s superheroes to desensitize and brainwash them in thinking that a gay lifestyle choice is normal and desirable. As Christians, we know that homosexuality is a sin (Romans 1:26-27).” 

One Million Moms is a sub-sect of the American Family Association, which in 2010 was classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (the AFA also opposes regulation of the oil industry and pornography). The group’s most recent – and unsuccessful – campaign against homosexuality in comics attempted to rid Toys R Us shelves of the Life With Archie issue featuring the wedding of Kevin Keller, a US Armed Forces vet, and his partner, Clay.

According to One Million Moms, “Children desire to be just like superheroes. Children mimic superhero actions and even dress up in costumes to resemble these characters as much as possible. Can you imagine little boys saying, ‘I want a boyfriend or husband like X-Men?’”

Given their recent vocal support of queer visibility in comics, one can assume that DC and Marvel’s answer to that question would be a great, resounding “Yes.”

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