"Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) themes and characters were historically omitted from the content of comic books and their comic strip predecessors due to anti-gay censorship. LGBT existence was included only via innuendo, subtext and inference."
Graphic novels, comics, and narratives that capture LGBTQ+ experiences, relationships, and culture.
Queer Theory: Queer theory is an intellectual school of thought that focuses on sexuality and gender. It deals with concepts such as sexual identity, gender identity, and the ways in which these identities intersect.
LGBT Rights Movements: The LGBT rights movement has played a significant role in shaping the culture and discourse around queer comics. Understanding the history and legal framework behind this movement can provide valuable context for the themes present in queer comics.
Representation and Visibility: Queer comics play a crucial role in representing and providing visibility to queer identities and experiences. The representation of different identities within the queer community, such as trans and non-binary individuals, is also an important aspect to explore.
Intersectionality: Queer comics often touch on issues of intersectionality, where identities such as race, class and ability intersect with queerness. Understanding these intersections can provide a better understanding of how different marginalized experiences play out.
Genre and Aesthetics: Queer comics exist across various genres: Superhero comics, memoir, slice-of-life, and more. It's important to explore the unique aesthetics and tone of each genre to better understand queer comics as a whole.
Independent and Mainstream Publishers: The landscape of queer comics is diverse and vast, with many independent publishers emerging recently. Understanding the role of both independent and mainstream publishers can provide a more nuanced view of the industry.
Criticism and Analysis: Critical analysis of queer comics is essential to better understand their impact and significance. Engaging with critical writing and analysis can help to unpack the themes and ideas present in queer comics.
Queer Comics Creators: Queer comics creators are vital to the industry as they bring their unique experiences and perspective to their work. Understanding the role of creators in the queer comics industry can provide a better appreciation for the stories and experiences present within queer literature.
History of Queer Comics: Finally, understanding the history of queer comics is essential to fully appreciate the current state of the industry. Exploring the evolution of queer comics from the underground comix of the 60s and 70s to the emergence of LGBTQ+ imprints in mainstream publishers can provide valuable context.
Coming Out Stories: These are stories about characters who come out to their loved ones, exposing their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Romance: Queer comics that focus on love stories between characters with different genders or the same gender.
Slice-of-Life: These comics showcase different aspects of daily life with the events that happen therein.
Erotica: Queer comics that contain Adult content and cater to sexual orientation.
Memoirs: Comics that depict personal experiences of a person who belongs to the LBGTQIA + community.
Fantasy: Queer Comics that are based on dreaming, imaginary characters, or fairy tales.
Superhero Comics: Comics focusing on heroism, supernatural power with Queer characters.
Horror: Comics that deal with scary and frightening circumstances with queer characters.
"With any mention of homosexuality in mainstream United States comics forbidden by the Comics Code Authority (CCA) between 1954 and 1989, mainstream comics contained only subtle hints or subtext regarding an LGBT character's sexual orientation or gender identity."
"Starting in the early 1970s, however, LGBT themes were tackled in underground comix, independently published one-off comic books and series produced by gay creators that featured autobiographical storylines tackling political issues."
"The first openly gay characters in American comic strips appeared in prominent strips in the late 1970s and gained popularity through the 1980s."
"Since the 1990s, equal and open LGBT themes have become more common in mainstream US comics, including in a number of titles in which a gay character is the star."
"Today comic strips educating readers about LGBT-related issues are syndicated in LGBT-targeted print media and online in web comics."
"A lack of censorship and greater acceptance of comics as a medium for adult entertainment in Europe has led European comics to be more inclusive from an earlier date, leading to less controversy about the representation of LGBT characters in their pages."
"Japanese manga tradition has included genres of girls' comics that feature homosexual relationships since the 1970s, in the form of yaoi and yuri."
"These works are often extremely romantic and idealized, and include archetypal characters that often do not identify as gay or lesbian."
"Since the Japanese 'gay boom' of the 1990s, a body of manga by queer creators aimed at LGBT customers has been established, including both bara manga for gay men and yuri aimed at lesbians, which often have more realistic and autobiographical themes."
"Portrayal of LGBT themes in comics is recognized by several notable awards, including the Gaylactic Spectrum Awards and GLAAD Media Awards for outstanding comic book and comic strip."
"The Lambda Literary Foundation, recognizing notable literature for LGBT themes with their 'Lammys' awards since 1988, created a new category in 2014 for graphic works."
"Prism Comics, an organization formed in 2003 for promoting LGBTQ themes in comic books..."
"...has provided the 'Queer Press Grant' for comic book creators since 2005."