Gay fictional characters have existed as long as fiction has existed. We just tend to either ingnore the obvious or ignore tham altogether.
In fiction, as in real life, gay people are everywhere and the comforting, age-old stereotypes aren’t really as helpful as we might have at one time thought them to be when trying to figure out what exactly people, and fictional characters, might be doing behind closed doors. People you would never assume to be gay actually are and others you were certain are, aren’t. It could be that stereotypes are wrong, or it could be that the defining line between gay and straight isn’t nearly as clear as we would like to think it is.
Very few characters, particularly classic fictional characters, have even been written as being explicitly homosexual, but one is left to wonder if their original authors weren’t telling us a little something about these characters but doing it in a way that was acceptable to their audience and the time(s) in which they were written. Yes, indeed, one wonders.
Below are five fictional characters that are straight. Or are they?
Sherlock Holmes
Anyone who has ever read the stories of the greatest private consulting detective knows that Holmes is gay. It’s the elephant in the room. Everyone knows but says nothing, and why should they? His sexuality has nothing to do with his skills at detection or his brilliance when it comes to solving a case. Still, it is obvious that the relationship between Holmes and his biographer and friend, Doctor John Watson was something more than just another couple of buddies sharing a flat. Holmes and Watson had feelings for each other that went far beyond what most men feel for their roommates, especially if their roommate happens to be a controlling, manipulating, annoying twit as Holmes was. I am not saying that the relationship was ever physical, but it was obviously love. Homosexual just not sexual. The complicated relationship between Holmes and Watson is one of the finest love stories ever presented in fiction.
Jimmy Olsen
Superman’s pal wanted far more than to be just be Superman’s best bud. His devotion can only be explained by feelings that went far beyond normal, or even abnormal, hero worship. The way he would gaze longingly at his hero left little doubt to the reader just what kind of thoughts and fantasies were passing through the character’s adolescent mind and heart. This wasn’t the love for a big brother, this was something more. Something bigger. Jimmy’s attraction to Superman was far more intense, and far more pure than even his arch rival for Superman’s affections, Lois Lane, if for no other reason that his love was a one way street. His love gave everything and expected nothing in return. Despite the lack reciprocating affection Jimmy never stopped loving the man of steel, not even when it became painfully obvious his feelings would never be returned. Still, Superman is an alien after all, so after eighty years of waiting, there may be hope for the boy reporter yet. Jimmy’s story is one of longing infatuation and devotion.
Batman
Despite Bruce Wayne’s constant insistence that he is a loner and needs no one, he seems to spend a lot of time cultivating private, and very intense relationships with a series of young men and boys. This so-called loner has a larger cast of support-team members than any other character outside of the X-mansion. Bruce’s early tragedy left him isolated and living a life outside of anything resembling a normal childhood and a normal existence. His need for normalcy and for male-bonding never being met, he continued to search for it throughout his early childhood. It is only natural that his constant search for love and companionship would become erotisized as he entered his teen years and that this desire to connect with other boys his age would feed his intense need for love and connection. Bruce’s dalliances with beautiful women seem to either be as a cover for his true love, expressed through a series of “boy-wonders”, or his own confusion over what it is he thinks he desires, conflicting with what he really wants. As sad and messed up as the character is, a tribute to his love is made evident by his continuing relationships with his once youthful wards long after they have both moved on and found other objects of their affections, going to prove that love doesn’t end just because an intimate relationship does.
The Doctor
Being a Timelord and travelling through both time and space means that the Doctor has seen it all and seen it more than once. When you view intimate relationships between species as normal, sex among members of the same gender is almost dull by comparison. The Doctor has lived a long, long life. He’s been everywhere, seen everything so it’s only natural to assume that he’s also done it all as well. When the Doctor was young he lived his life out in an average manner; getting married, having children and growing old. As the centuries went on the Doctor began to favored a younger and younger persona and sought out more and more outrageous adventures. Is this really so alien to any of us? Who here didn’t wish to be older when they were young and would give anything to be younger as they grow old? Our dream is his reality. It stands to reason that this secretive older man, disguised as a youthful rogue, would gather more than just memories as he travelled through time and space. His obsession with his appearance and clothing and his need to constantly re-decorate his home, the Tardis, would make anyone stop and pause and smile at the obvious omission to what could be an even more interesting set of adventures. The Doctor has been there, done that and left a card as he’s headed out the door on more than one occasion. These are just the titillating story details we aren’t told, but we know just the same. The Doctor is an old dog.
Wonder Woman
She was raised on an island isolated from men. She was taught from birth to despise the male gender and see them as nothing more than violent animals and evil creatures to be either avoided, or destroyed. Men were subhuman creatures to be avoided if at all possible, and forcibly resisted if necessary. Men were viewed as the cause of all the world’s problems. After all, it was without men that they created an island paradise. It is only natural that in a world where only women existed homosexuality would be not only commonplace but viewed as completely normal and natural. While she may have experienced desires and a curiosity concerning men, she surly would not have acted on it. As a matter of fact, the thought most likely wouldn’t even have even entered her mind until Steve Trevor washed ashore that one fateful day. Wonder Woman bows to no one and is more than equal to any man. A warrior, a brilliant mind, an adventurer and a hero … who just happens to be an amazingly beautiful woman. This is no shameful, shrinking violet fearful of showing her true self to the world. This is a powerful woman that needs no man’s permission to do, or be, anything. She is 100% the epitome of a wonder woman. A woman all men want to be straight but obviously isn’t.
Honorable mention.
These are characters so obviously gay that to say they are closeted would almost be an insult to their out and proud attitude and yet straight they are.
Bugs Bunny
C-3PO
Fred and Velma
He-Man
Mr. Garrison
Peppermint Patty
Roger (American Dad)
The Pink Panther
Smithers
Snagglepuss
Sponge Bob
Stewie
Yogi Bear and Boo Boo
I am sure there are many more characters that I’ve overlooked. Most likely I’ve missed more than I caught. In the comments below, please leave me additions to this list and let’s see how big this compilation of straight/gay characters can grow.
