We Need a (Gay) Hero

Straight Guy,

I was saddened to open the newspaper this morning and read that Perry Moore died last week. Read a New York Times online obit from last week.

Moore produced the Chronicles of Narnia movies, and, much more important to me, wrote Hero, a novel for young adults. Hero is the story of Thom Creed, a teenager suffering through high school, discovering his homosexuality, and, not the least, dealing with being a super hero.

Hero came out in 2007. I found a copy of it a few summers ago at a vacation house. After a few pages, I was hooked. I love young adult fiction --the genre was important to me growing up--plus it is perfect for the beach.

The super hero/gay teen allusion is pretty straight forward: Who am I? Will I accept and learn to appreciate and love who I am born to be? It's a classic coming of age tale.

Moore said that he wrote Hero because he wanted to see more gay heroes, thriving and winning, in books and films.

SG, you and I have talked about super heroes. Can I tempt you to share who is your favorite?

--Gay Guy

4 comments:

Straight Guy said...

Always has been Hulk. No other hero speaks to male angst like Hulk. Forget the grace of flight, the magic of invisibility, just give me the power of blind rage.

But purple capri pants? Yowch.

Maybe I'll get a post up.

Molly Louise said...

My favorite has always been Robin, from Batman. Him and Bobby (Iceman) from X-Men. Robin has a fear of heights but he goes about doing what it is that he does to be Robin, despite that fear. And Bobby? Come on, how could you not want to have control over ice?

Oddyoddyo13 said...

Iron Man, I have to admit it. Especially with how brilliantly Robert Downy Jr. played that character. I might have to check out that book. :)

Straight in Upstate said...

Does Frodo Baggins count? Yeah, I'm too dorky for either the straight or gay community.