DC Entertainment is being honored with an award for their work in highlighting LGBTQ characters throughout their media. The award is being presented by GLSEN, a leading educational organization devoted to supporting LGBTQ youth in schools. Diane Nelson, the president of DC Entertainment, will receive the award on DC’s behalf at the organization’s gala on October 20th at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.
Fans of DC Comics know that DC has made a great effort to highlight their diverse characters of late. Batwoman, introduced in the popular series 52, was the first lesbian super-hero. Barbara Gordon’s roommate was an early transgender character in the New 52 and the Shining Knight is one of the first ever hermaphrodite heroes. Meanwhile, numerous other LGBTQ characters have been published and continue to be published by the company, such as Midnighter, Renee Montoya, and the Earth 2 version of Alan Scott. Last year, after the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, DC partnered with IDW Publishing for the award winning “Love is Love” graphic novel. And many of the company’s television shows feature a diverse cast of characters, including Kara’s sister, Alex Danvers, on the hit CW series Supergirl, and Mister Terrific from Arrow.
Eliza Byard, Executive Director of GLSEN, stated that:
“GLSEN is excited to honor DC Entertainment with the Visionary Award for their impact and innovation.”
She went onto explain how important superheroes have become to global pop culture and that it is important that all young people see themselves reflected in these characters and that DC has done a great job of showcasing this. Diane Nelson pledged DC’s continued commitment to tell stories that “reflect and inspire our diverse audience.”
Tickets to the gala are available to be purchased online at www.glsen.org/events.
