Agents Of S.T.R.A.I.G.H.T. by Kace

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Welcome to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  Encompassing movies from the past 6 years, including all 3 Iron Man films, both Thor films, both Captain America films, an Incredible Hulk film, the Avengers film as well as its upcoming sequel, the Guardians Of The Galaxy film that’s to be released this Summer, along with the TV hit, Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the upcoming TV series, Agent Carter, it’s a pretty busy place from a creative standpoint.

This is where Cobie Smulders, who most last recall as some really important part of How I Met Your Mother and who I recall as Leigh Ostin from Season 2 of The L Word, has has been able to make even more of a name for herself in Hollywood.  More importantly, this where Marvel characters (not including Spider-Man or the X-Men) come together in these different movies and shows in a shared universe concept.  The idea of a shared universe isn’t new when it comes to TV, given the various spinoffs that have occurred over the years of different shows, as well as the St. Elsewhere Snowglobe Universe theory that amuses me to no end.  However, at this level it’s rather unique, not just in concept, but in execution.

Since 2008, casual fans and geeks alike have been treated to action and adventure.  We’ve become privy to a fictional universe that exists on both our big and small screens.  We’ve been introduced to all kinds of important characters, too.  Heroes, villains, those shades in between, even extraterrestrial life that includes characters who became the basis for a mythology on Earth.  One thing practically every single one of these characters seem to have in common.  Heterosexuality.

One of the things that’s grown to annoy me about something I otherwise enjoy greatly is that implication that in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, homosexuality, bisexuality, and transgendering or transgendered people apparently don’t exist while Norse mythology gods and Thanos does.  Or perhaps, the LGBT’s of the world do exist, but they’re more seen, but not necessarily heard.

On Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D., there was at least for a time a character named Agent Hand, who was based on a comic book character of the same name in Marvel.  In the comics, Hand was a lesbian.  On the TV show, the sexuality was never disclosed and likely never will as she was last seen lying in a pool of her own blood, dying after being shot point blank.

So at this point, you’re probably thinking, “So?  What’s the big deal?  Who cares if she was a straight hand or a gay Hand?”

Part of the problem was that there was romantic or sexual tension everywhere on this show.  Ward and Skye, Ward and May, Fitz and Simmons…you get the idea.  Guy/Girl, guy/girl, guy/girl.  Relationships are duly noted in the movies, from Iron Man to Captain America to Thor to Hulk.  Even if they’re tragic or doomed, they’re still noted.  Agent Coulson’s true love was a woman who thinks he’s dead.  So far as anybody knows, Hand wasn’t dating anybody and if she’s dead then she certainly isn’t now.

I find it astonishing that in a world, heck, a Universe full of wonder and Marvels.  A Universe where romance and sexual tension is continually acknowledged, either in subtle form or very in-your-face.  A Universe with big space aliens and their advanced technology.  A Universe such as this doesn’t seem to have much going on when it comes to the non-heteroes.  This big, vast, and very creative place somehow manages to make sure the rest of us have no representation.  Outer Space Aliens have more representation in this Universe than gay, bi, or trans people do.  They can bring us the rainbow bridge, but not the rainbow flag.

If somehow, Joss Whedon or any of the other creative minds at Marvel manage to read this, I just want you to know one thing.

It’s okay to acknowledge our existence, too.  No, I don’t mean that in some throwaway minor character way, similar to how one may throw a begging dog a bone.  I mean in an actual, meaningful way.  

If Rocket Raccoon can exist, so can we.  At least I’d like to think so.

That’s my opinion.  Other opinions may va