Superman Fans Stand Against Orson Scott Card with Success

  As a huge Superman fan, I'm happy to report that less than a month ago a group of Comic book fans launched a petition asking DC Comics, who publishes popular comics like Batman and Superman, to drop notorious anti-gay writer and activist Orson Scott Card from their new digital Superman story.   And, as of last week, Card's comic has been delayed as the result of our protest – possibly forever!

      Over 16,000 All Out members spoke out, telling DC Comics Orson Scott Card's anti-gay vitriol is not okay for Superman, or their brand, if they truly want to support equality.

   Orson Scott Card is known for his science fiction writing. but he's also an extremist who has frightening views. 

    Card's also on the board of NOM (National Organization for Marriage), which is fighting tooth-and-nail against marriage equality in the US and globally. 

    According to AllOut, Card wrote public and disturbing screeds like this:

"Regardless of law, marriage has only one definition, and any government that attempts to change it is my mortal enemy. I will act to destroy that government and bring it down, so it can be replaced with a government that will respect and support marriage."

     This is the remark of a SICK mind. 

SO, WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF THE PETITION TO DC COMICS? 

Since the controversy hit the mainstream media, the outcry has been huge:

• Comic book retailers from Texas to British Columbia have pledged to boycott the issue.
• Individuals involved with an upcoming movie based on Card's novels are getting nervous about their association with him.
• And finally, as of this week, the illustrator for Orson Scott Card's Superman comic has pulled out of the project. He cited the controversy around Card's anti-gay work as the reason he was leaving.

That means this comic will be delayed, and unless another illustrator wants to be associated with Card's values, it could very well disappear.

    A moment like this may seem trivial to some because it's about comics instead of big economic powers, politicians, or A-list celebrities, but the truth is that our icons, our shared mythologies and our storytellers have incredible influence on our cultures and communities. They are a reflection of our values and they deeply influence our shared ideals. Whether they hold up the values of true equality really matters.

SOURCES:

Artist leaves Orson Scott Card's Superman comic - USA Today, 5 March 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/03/05/chris-sprouse-orson-scott-card-superman-comic/1964845/

'Ender's Game' Author's Anti-Gay Views Pose Risks for Film - Hollywood Reporter, 20 February 2013
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/enders-games-orson-scott-cards-422456

Publisher draws fire for hiring anti-gay writer on new 'Superman' series - CNN, 15 February 2013
http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/15/us/superman-controversy/index.html

DC Comics under fire for hiring anti-gay writer to pen Superman - The Guardian, 11 February 2013
http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2013/feb/11/dc-comics-homophobic-writer-superman

Orson Scott Card Joins NOM Board - Box Turtle Bulliten, 21 April 2009
http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2009/04/21/10865