GLAAD slams Marvel and DC for their lack of LGBT representation in comic book films

GLAAD has slammed Marvel and DC for their lack of LGBT representation in films.

In GLAAD’s annual report, the organisation discovered a drop in the number of films that include LGBT characters across several major film studios. The report revealed that only 12.8% of movies released in 2017 included LGBT characters, down from 18.4% in 2016.

The report, titled ‘Studio Responsibility Index’, criticised comic book movies for their lack of representation despite featuring LGBT characters in their source material. The study pointed to films including Wonder Woman, Thor: Ragnarok and Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 which failed to include any on-screen confirmation of their comic book identities.

GLAAD said that while there are many LGBT heroes in the comics, “It is becoming increasingly more difficult to ignore that LGBT people remain almost completely shut out of Hollywood’s big-budget comic films.”

GLAAD highlighted DC and Warner Bros’ Wonder Woman, which saw Diana Prince get paired with male love interest Steve Trevor despite being bisexual in Greg Rucka’s comics.

The report read: “Being an out and proud bi woman would be in line with her ideals to fully live her own truth and recognise all parts of herself. Portraying Diana as bi would also be a welcome sign of progress for comic book films.”

GLAAD also criticised Marvel Studio’s Thor: Ragnarok for its portrayal of characters Valkyrie and Korg, who are both bisexual in the comics but no references were made to their sexuality in the films.

In addition, director Taika Waititi revealed he had cut a scene from the movie where a woman is seen leaving Valkyrie’s bedroom, hinting at her sexuality.

Speaking about the movie, GLAAD said: “This film disappointingly did not include any references to their identities or love interests, and as such, audiences would have no clue they were seeing queer characters unless they had read outside press or the source material stories.”

GLAAD also touched on Marvel’s Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2, mentioning that director James Gunn had hinted the studio may have included an LGBT character in the film when he was asked by a fan if he would ever consider including a gay character in the franchise.

However, GLAAD reported there was “no discernible LGBTQ content in the film”. 

Earlier this week, former Attitude cover star Ian McKellen also criticised Hollywood’s lack of LGBT representation.