Why Archie Comics' New Gay Character Matters

It's fair to say that Archie comics aren't exactly at the height of cultural relevance these days. The squeaky-clean misadventures of Riverdale's teenagers have never been known for their novel plot ideas or raw, realistic depiction of adolescent sexuality. They've arguably retained a following precisely because parents can buy them for their children, knowing that the plot will involve nothing more complex or provocative than a new wrinkle in the eternally unresolved Archie/Betty/Veronica love triangle, or Jughead's latest attempt to find the perfect hamburger.  But by introducing a new gay character, Archie may be suddenly — and surprisingly — be on the cultural cutting edge.

That's right. Veronica #202, shipping in September, features the debut of Archie Comics' first gay character, Kevin Keller.  According to the story synopsis, "Kevin Keller is the new hunk in town and Veronica just has to have him. After Kevin defeats Jughead in a burger eating contest at Pop's Chocklit Shoppe, she desperately latches onto him. Mayhem and hilarity ensue as Kevin desperately attempts to let Veronica down easy and her flirtations only become increasingly persistent."

One could certainly quibble with Archie introducing the character in a storyline involving Veronica's presumption of Kevin's heterosexuality being played for laughs, rather than in a more straightforward manner that doesn't evoke decades-old sitcom plots.  And judging from the preview page, I suspect that, like a number of past gay television characters, Kevin will be written to be as desexualized as possible; I'll be pleasantly surprised if he's even shown flirting with any of Archie's male classmates anytime soon.

Still, the introduction of Kevin is otherwise laudable for how straightforwardly it's handled.  As shown in a released preview page, Kevin is completely open about his sexuality, and when he tells Jughead, the latter doesn't react with homophobic disgust, but merely sees it as an opportunity for his characteristic mischief.  This may be an unrealistically idealized depiction of gay teenagers, considering that many LGBT youth can't even attend their prom with a same-sex date without inviting controversy, if not outright ostracism.  But as I said above: if you want a realistic story about high school life, why would you read an Archie comic to begin with?

There's a bigger reason why Archie Comics ought to be applauded, and why Kevin Keller is such a groundbreaking character: Archie Companies such as DC and Marvel have included gay characters for years (with varying degrees of success), but only in comics aimed at teenage and adult readers.  Archie's line, however, consists entirely of "all-ages" comics — meaning that, while they may have some adult fans, they're aimed squarely at kids.

For decades now, LGBT activists have sought better representation of LGBT characters and issues in the media.  Yet children's media have been almost completely exempt from these demands. Even the leading LGBT media advocacy organization, GLAAD, makes no mention of children's television in its annual report on the representation of gay characters on television.

I have no doubt that GLAAD would face an uphill fight here. There is, clearly, an overwhelming consensus amongst producers of kid-targeted media that the mere acknowledgment of the existence of homosexuality would be seen by many parents as being "inappropriate for children"  (if not an outright attempt to "convert" their kids), and would thus invite too great a controversy to justify taking that risk.  The result hasn't been too surprising: media aimed at children are almost completely devoid of gay characters. The only exceptions I'm aware of are characters who are hinted as gay solely by their conformity to gay stereotypes, or, like Albus Dumbledore from the Harry Potter books, are revealed as gay only through statements by their creators.

Clearly, gay characters are being held to different standards than their straight counterparts.  No one, myself included, would demand that explicit gay sex be depicted in Saturday morning cartoons.  Yet for Disney and Nickelodeon, the mere inclusion of an openly gay character, or even a simple "some boys like boys and some girls like girls" message, is every bit as off-limits as a sex scene or a teen pregnancy subplot would be in High School Musical 4.

If LGBT people want full cultural as well as legal equality, we'll eventually have to push harder against this double standard.  There is nothing inherently inappropriate about our sexuality, nothing wrong with wanting kids to hear the message that being LGBT is natural and normal, and nothing shameful or conspiratorial about wanting media to do a better job of promoting that message to them.  And while progress in this regard will undoubtedly be slow, kids across the country will soon be able to open an Archie comic and see a character say the words "I'm gay," without being in any way demeaned for it.  It's certainly a start, and I thoroughly applaud Archie Comics for it.  I encourage you all to show your support, via the petition here.

Photo credit: Character design sheet for Kevin Keller, by Archie Comics; via Robot 6