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LGBT themes in comics are a relatively new concept, as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) themes and characters were historically omitted intentionally from the content of comic books and their comic strip predecessors, due to either censorship or the perception that comics were for children.〔''The Yellow Kid'', first serialized in 1895, is considered the "first newspaper comic strip," though "the mechanics of comic strips were in use well before the ''Kid'' debut in illustrated magazines." 〕 With any mention of homosexuality in mainstream United States comics forbidden by the Comics Code Authority (CCA) until 1989, earlier attempts at exploring these issues in the US took the form of subtle hints or subtext regarding a character's sexual orientation. LGBT themes were tackled earlier in underground comix from the early 1970s onward. Independently published one-off comic books and series, often produced by gay creators and featuring autobiographical storylines, tackled political issues of interest to LGBT readers. Since the 1990s LGBT themes have become more common in mainstream US comics, including in a number of titles in which a gay character is the star. European comics have been more inclusive from an earlier date. The lack of censorship, and greater acceptance of comics as a medium of adult entertainment led to less controversy about the representation of LGBT characters. The popular 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. Pornographic manga also often includes sexualised depictions of lesbians and intersex people. Queer theorists have noted that LGBT characters in mainstream comic books are usually shown as assimilated into heterosexual society, whereas in alternative comics the diversity and uniqueness of LGBT culture is emphasized. Comic strips have also dealt in subtext and innuendo, their wide distribution in newspapers limiting their inclusion of controversial material. The first openly gay characters appeared in prominent strips in the late 1970s; representation of LGBT issues in these titles causes vociferous reaction, both praise and condemnation, to the present day. Comic strips aimed at LGBT audiences are also syndicated in gay- and lesbian-targeted magazines and comics have been created to educate people about LGBT-related issues and to influence real-world politics, with their format and distribution allowing them to transmit messages more subtle, complex, and positive than typical education material. 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. ==Comic strips== Early comic strips also avoided overt treatment of gay issues, though examples of homosexual subtext have been identified. The 1938–1939 edition of Milton Caniff's ''Terry and the Pirates'' features a primary villain, Sanjak, who has been interpreted by some as a lesbian with designs on the hero's girlfriend.〔 The first widely distributed comic strip to tackle LGBT themes and include a gay character was Garry Trudeau's ''Doonesbury''.〔 The strip introduced the character Andy Lippincott in 1976, and his diagnosis with HIV in 1989 and AIDS related death in 1990 was the first representation of this issue in comic strips.〔 This storyline led to a Pulitzer Prize nomination for Trudeau, but three newspapers of the 900 carrying the strip refused to publish it as being in bad taste. Two years later, the long-standing character Mark Slackmeyer was revealed to be gay, continuing a reputation for controversial content.〔 Slackmeyer, a liberal, continues to feature in the strip, with focus on his relationship with his politically conservative partner, Chase, including their marriage in 1999 and separation in 2007.〔 The 11 July 1984 installment of ''Bloom County'' had the strip's main characters staying at Bob & Ernie’s Castro Street Hotel, run by a gay S&M couple. When Lynn Johnston's ''For Better or For Worse'' explored the coming out of a teenaged character in 1993, it provoked a vigorous reaction from conservative groups.〔 Readers opposed to homosexuality threatened to cancel newspaper subscriptions, and Johnston received hate mail and death threats towards herself and her family.〔 Over 100 newspapers ran replacement strips or canceled the comic.〔〔An estimated 40 newspapers ran replacement strips. 〕 One result of the storyline was that Johnston was made a jury-selected "nominated finalist" for the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning in 1994. The Pulitzer board said the strip "sensitively depicted a youth's disclosure of his homosexuality and its effect on his family and friends."〔(pulitzer.org )〕 Subsequent appearances of the character have not focused on his sexuality, and the creator has said that this will continue.〔〔 In most widely circulated strips, LGBT characters remained as supporting figures into the 21st century, with some, including ''Candorville'' and ''The Boondocks'', featuring occasional appearances by gay characters. The conservative strip ''Mallard Fillmore'' occasionally approached gay issues from a critical perspective; these storylines have been described as "insulting" to LGBT people. Many openly gay and lesbian comic creators self-publish their work online as webcomics, giving them greater editorial freedom, and some of the strips are printed in collections. One example is Greg Fox's ''Kyle's Bed & Breakfast'', a series focusing on a group of gay friends who live together and face realistic problems associated with their sexualities, including relationship troubles and being closeted.〔 Since the late 1980s specifically gay publications have also included comic strips, in which LGBT themes are ubiquitous.〔Haggerty, p.326〕 Local LGBT newspapers sometimes carry their own strips, like Ron Williams's ''Quarter Scenes'' in the New Orleans paper ''Impact''. Strips including ''Wendel'' by Howard Cruse, and ''Leonard and Larry'' by Tim Barela, have been syndicated in national gay magazines like the ''Advocate''.〔 One of the best known and longest-running LGBT comic strips, ''Dykes to Watch Out For'', was written by Alison Bechdel – dubbed the "elder stateswomen of LGBT comics" – from 1983 to 2008. ''Dykes to Watch Out For'' is known for its social and political commentary and depictions of characters from all walks of life. Bechdel's 2006 graphic memoir ''Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic'' was lauded by many media outlets as among the best books of the year. Other noted LGBT-themed comic strips have included ''Doc and Raider'', ''The Chosen Family'', ''Chelsea Boys'' and ''The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green''. ''Ethan Green'' has also been adapted into a live-action feature film. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「LGBT themes in comics」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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