It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s Empowerment!

Your father traveled vast distances to arrive in America and eventually embody its dream. Your mother worked tirelessly her entire life to seek the truth no matter where it hid.

And now you’re beginning to discover that you are powerful, you are unique, and yet you are somehow alienated for the very gifts that set you apart from the crowd.

Perhaps you’re a superhero.

This is the origin story of Jon Kent, son of Lois Lane and Clark Kent, aka Superman. DC Comics recently released a statement declaring Jon’s orientation as bisexual, and the graphic novel’s creators are wearing a capital P on their chests to signify their Pride.

“I’ve always said everyone needs heroes and everyone deserves to see themselves in their heroes and I’m very grateful DC and Warner Bros. share this idea,” beams writer Tom Taylor.

“Superman’s symbol has always stood for hope, for truth and for justice. Today, that symbol represents something more. Today, more people can see themselves in the most powerful superhero in comics.”

Given the Man of Steel’s popularity, this news will obviously draw detractors. Washed-up thespian Dean Cain himself dismissed DC’s move as “bandwagoning, not brave.” Hmm, sounds like someone is totes jelz that he wasn’t invited to the coming out party.

But Cain’s opinion doesn’t matter. In fact, it hasn’t mattered since the Clinton administration. Truly, the only people who should weigh in on such issues are those closest to the individual living his/her/their truth.

That’s why it was prophetic to find this back issue in which Superman accepts his son’s secret identity without *saying* anything about sexuality overtly.

You were tested in ways I couldn’t have handled at your age. That almost no one I know could have handled. And when you came back to us, somehow you were the same compassionate, selfless, outgoing, happy kid you were when you left. The resilience that must have taken, Jon. It defies all understanding.

 The next time you wonder if you measure up, or if you ever think of yourself as just “the son of Superman,” know that you’re the Superman against whom all heroes will be measured someday. The Superman that I aspire to be. 

–Love, your dad.

History has turned the page on homophobia and bigotry… and that page is a rainbow-hued mélange of comic book realness. LGBTQ+ people are no longer outcasts, and we aren’t merely tolerated; we are leaders and saviors for a bold new era.

Leap tall buildings and soar to new heights, you heroes.

Photo: DC Comics