What If The Founder Of Comic Con Was Outed And Nobody Noticed?

[Rich Johnston]

This year's San Diego Comic Con was huge as always, and Bleeding Cool had more people on the ground than ever before, at one point posting stories every ten minutes. But it seems one or two articles may have disappeared in the cracks. Including the report on the Gays In Comics panel, celebrating its 25th year, with a star studded panel hosted by Andy Mangels as always, where he was presented with an Inkpot Award, BTW, for his extensive career in and around the comic field and also humanitarian work around the topic of Gays in Comics, and the Women of Wonder Day.

While we're trying to get the full article sorted, there was one piece of news that it seems surprising that we didn't report at the time - and no one else reported at all.

Specifically when Eric Shanower posthumously outed Shel Dorf, the co-founder of San Diego Comic-Con, and who died in November 2009, as a gay man.

Eric was very emotional about it as Shel had actually attacked him for being out early in his career, and Eric told the story of what happened and why it was so sad, and that by posthumously revealing Shel was gay, he was showing how many GLBT folks have had a major effect on this industry.

Some may ask why it matters. And in the grand scale, not one bit. But with homophobia still present at the very top of major comic book publishers, with reports I've received of abuse in the workplace, including the threatened strangulation of one executive for being gay, and certain popular mainstream comic creators still not willing to out themselves, it's worth knowing that one of the men responsible for the greatest mainstreaming of comics in popular culture, was a gay man. And that so many of us owe so much to him and his work.

It's probably worth talking about.

[Jason A. Quest]

I've lost friends and jobs because I'm queer, and around here it can still be dangerous (personally and professionally) to be openly gay. And I'm old enough to remember when it was even more hazardous. So I'm sympathetic to Shel Dorf choosing to stay closeted. But it's worth coming out. Both for yourself and for society. Folks like Eric Shanower and Andy Mangels and... I won't start listing others because then I won't know where to stop... have helped make the comics community more tolerant an even accepting of gay people, and it's a shame that Dorf wasn't able to contribute to that.

[StarCruncher]

I would hope the answer to this article's question is "because no one should care about anyone else's sexuality."
Unless it's fodder for making fun of each other (and everyone involved is of legal consenting age), who cares what you do and who you do it with.
How else are we going to move towards a society of replicators and ugly Starfleet uniforms if we don't stop focusing on what ain't our bidness?

[Teek]

I long for the day when "Next up, who's gay?" is no longer considered noteworthy. Unfortunately, as long as intolerant bigots exist, there will always be a need for that support system.

[Dawnelldo]

the_more_you_know2.jpg

And

knowing-is-half-the-battle.jpg

[Amergin]

Meh. I always go with Meh or Duh.

[evilwilma]

Meh. I always go with Meh or Duh.

Well, that's disappointing. I'd vastly prefer your options were either 'Meh' or 'Duhrrrrhrrruhurrrrr.' Adds more spice to life, no?

Oh, and I'm gay! Someone hold me?

[king mob]

including the threatened strangulation of one executive for being gay

Bloody hell, I hope the person doing the threatening was sacked though I'm assuming they weren't.

[Qward-O]

Most people are homophobic or Anti-gay, however you want to put it. Given the right environment or situation they will insult, attack or discriminate against gay people. Which is why staying hidden is still a necessity for many gay people. Ironically, in Hollywood, if you're a gay guy actor and you have a chance of being a big star or at least getting a lot of acting work, it would be financially smarter to stay in the closet. Both the Studio managerial class and the homophobic movie going masses are to blame here. It seems they both believe that women won't get hot and bothered if they know the handsome lead actor is a gay guy. For example, no one is concerned that Spock is being played by a gay guy - but the studio would slam on the breaks if Kirk was played by one. Spock is more of a supporting role and that's why it's tolerated, although I'm certain some of those in charge at Paramount floated a trial balloon to see if they could replace Quinto as Spock and Abrams rejected them.

[Chiller67]

I don't suppose we'll ever really know the answer to your what if...? question. Seeing as you have now brought it to so many people's attention.

I couldn't care less about anybody's sexuality. it's simply none of my business. It's a shame so many people seem to be hung up about it though.