Hero worship
Has everybody seen Justice League already? You should, because even though the movie was panned almost universally by the serious critics, it's still an enjoyable film with many heartthumping scenes involving an old personal favorite, Wonder Woman, and an exciting new one: the Flash.
And it is that character of Flash that merits this column, since hurrah, hurrah, the actor playing Flash, Ezra Miller, is openly gay! So, an inspiring hero character has the honor (ahem) of being played by an LGBTQ actor. And guess what, for the first time in movie history, that hero character with that gay face will be given his very own standalone movie! Yup, that's the news from the wires, and Ezra Miller is unrepentantly staying out of the closet in this upcoming mega-studio release!
That should crack open the crystal ceiling, since not many opportunities are given to openly LGBTQs. Sure, there are roles given to gay actors, but not as leads. So a hero movie released internationally and hopefully, smashing box office records should help break down more barriers to acceptance and tolerance.
Thinking back on the character portrayed in Justice League, there weren't any hints that the producers or writers were about to turn the character of Flash from a hetero into a gay man. Flash in his private life was a dutiful son clinging to his only family tie, a father serving time. Despite the father pleading with the son to break the chains preventing him from succeeding (hmm, many metaphors there), the son was making the choice to stay put and be around to support dad.
Which, come to think about it, seems to be the real life of so many gay sons and lesbian daughters in their 40's and 50's. Think about the demographics: unmarried, professionals, or entrepreneurs, no separate families or children to support -guess who gets asked to take care of the parents or even other relations?
Anecdotal evidence strongly suggests that it is the LGBTQ offspring that end up with that responsibility. (I almost said "burden," but decided that wasn't fair to the sub-segment that actually enjoys discharging the caregiver role).
A friend of mine pays for the school tuition fees of the children of his siblings. Another serves as the drop-off point on weekends for nephews and nieces, making sure they are fed and entertained while the parents are gallivanting on their dates or vacations. Pretty much a free child-care center.
When the parents are sick or ailing, who has the time to make sure they get medical care? The straight siblings have commitments, spouses, or kids that preoccupy them. Ergo, the fallback position is the sibling with no kids, albeit that sibling has a career and responsibilities of his/her own.
One friend had the sad duty to make the decision to pull the plug on a parent that was on life support. None of the straight siblings could make the heavy choice of withholding care, so it was left to the gay sibling to "man up" and sign those hospital papers.
Hey, real world! You want to find gay heroes? While waiting for Flash, the action movie, to "come out", there they are, leading quiet and dutiful lives with their families. Serving as a strong family rallying point, discharging responsibilities very far from what the law expects of them, exemplifying sacrifice, commitment, responsibility, and even wisdom.
No need for a movie. The hero is right within.
‘A hero movie released internationally and hopefully, smashing box office records
should help break down more barriers to acceptance
and tolerance.’