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Superman contract for anti-gay author causes growing anger Superman contract for anti-gay author causes growing anger
(7 months later)
The swell of opinion against DC Comics' choice of the anti-gay author Orson Scott Card to write the new Superman comic is growing, with more than 10,000 signatures on a petition calling on the publisher to drop Card, and one retailer already making the decision to boycott the comic.The swell of opinion against DC Comics' choice of the anti-gay author Orson Scott Card to write the new Superman comic is growing, with more than 10,000 signatures on a petition calling on the publisher to drop Card, and one retailer already making the decision to boycott the comic.
Card is the bestselling author of the science fiction classic Ender's Game. He is also a Mormon known for his anti-gay rhetoric (he has said that "the dark secret of homosexual society … is how many homosexuals first entered into that world through a disturbing seduction or rape or molestation or abuse, and how many of them yearn to get out of the homosexual community and live normally", and that gay marriage is "the end of democracy in America"). DC announced last week that he would be writing the first issue in its new "Adventures of Superman" series, a decision that has been heavily criticised.Card is the bestselling author of the science fiction classic Ender's Game. He is also a Mormon known for his anti-gay rhetoric (he has said that "the dark secret of homosexual society … is how many homosexuals first entered into that world through a disturbing seduction or rape or molestation or abuse, and how many of them yearn to get out of the homosexual community and live normally", and that gay marriage is "the end of democracy in America"). DC announced last week that he would be writing the first issue in its new "Adventures of Superman" series, a decision that has been heavily criticised.
Almost 11,000 readers have signed a petition at All Out that calls on DC to" stand for equality", telling the publisher: "By hiring Orson Scott Card despite his anti-gay efforts you are giving him a new platform and supporting his hate. Make sure your brand stands for equality and drop Orson Scott Card now."Almost 11,000 readers have signed a petition at All Out that calls on DC to" stand for equality", telling the publisher: "By hiring Orson Scott Card despite his anti-gay efforts you are giving him a new platform and supporting his hate. Make sure your brand stands for equality and drop Orson Scott Card now."
And Zeus Comics in Dallas has announced that it will not stock the forthcoming comic by Card, with owner Richard Neal writing on his Facebook page: "Card sits on the board of the National Organization of Marriage which fights against marriage equality. His essays advocate the destruction of my relationship, that I am born of rape or abuse and that I am equated with paedophilia. These themes appear in his fiction as well. It is shocking DC Comics would hire him to write Superman, a character whose ideals represent all of us."And Zeus Comics in Dallas has announced that it will not stock the forthcoming comic by Card, with owner Richard Neal writing on his Facebook page: "Card sits on the board of the National Organization of Marriage which fights against marriage equality. His essays advocate the destruction of my relationship, that I am born of rape or abuse and that I am equated with paedophilia. These themes appear in his fiction as well. It is shocking DC Comics would hire him to write Superman, a character whose ideals represent all of us."
Neal suggests that "if you replaced the word 'homosexuals' in his essays with the words 'women' or 'Jews'", Card would not have been hired, asking "why it's still okay to 'have an opinion' about gays?"Neal suggests that "if you replaced the word 'homosexuals' in his essays with the words 'women' or 'Jews'", Card would not have been hired, asking "why it's still okay to 'have an opinion' about gays?"
DC Comics has responded to the criticism with a statement, that "as content creators we steadfastly support freedom of expression, however the personal views of individuals associated with DC Comics are just that – personal views – and not those of the company itself."DC Comics has responded to the criticism with a statement, that "as content creators we steadfastly support freedom of expression, however the personal views of individuals associated with DC Comics are just that – personal views – and not those of the company itself."
And not all responses to its decision to hire Card have been negative. Kick-Ass writer Mark Millar tweeted that "petitioning to have writer Orson Scott Card fired for his social views is as fascistic as politicians condemning a sexual preference", and comics journalist Rich Johnston of the site Bleeding Cool News took the stance that he found "the idea of campaigning to get a writer fired because you disagreed with his beliefs, however abhorrent, problematic".And not all responses to its decision to hire Card have been negative. Kick-Ass writer Mark Millar tweeted that "petitioning to have writer Orson Scott Card fired for his social views is as fascistic as politicians condemning a sexual preference", and comics journalist Rich Johnston of the site Bleeding Cool News took the stance that he found "the idea of campaigning to get a writer fired because you disagreed with his beliefs, however abhorrent, problematic".
Card's fans, meanwhile, have started a rival petition, in a bid to "catch up" with the petition at All Out. According to Card's fans, "Superman stands for truth, justice, and the American Way. Superman would stand up for Card's right to free thought and free speech, even when it isn't popular". So far, this petition has gathered 80 signatures.Card's fans, meanwhile, have started a rival petition, in a bid to "catch up" with the petition at All Out. According to Card's fans, "Superman stands for truth, justice, and the American Way. Superman would stand up for Card's right to free thought and free speech, even when it isn't popular". So far, this petition has gathered 80 signatures.
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