NEW YORK, NY - DC Comics is under fire for naming virulently anti-gay writer Orson Scott Card as the new writer for their new digital Adventures of Superman. Thousands of fans have signed a All Out petition urging DC Comics to drop Card.
Orson Scott Card has a long history of opposing rights for gays and lesbians. In 2009 he joined the board of the notoriously anti-gay organization, National Organization for Marriage.
In a recent interview in Salon, Card told Donna Minkowitz, "I find the comparison between civil rights based on race and supposed new rights being granted for what amounts to deviant behavior to be really kind of ridiculous. There is no comparison. A black as a person does not by being black harm anyone. Gay rights is a collective delusion that's being attempted. And the idea of 'gay marriage' it's hard to find a ridiculous enough comparison, "Orson Scott Card said, "By the way, I'd really hate it if your piece wound up focusing on the old charge that I'm a homophobe."
"Superman stands for truth, justice and the American way. Orson Scott Card does not stand for any idea of truth, justice or the American way that I can subscribe to," Jono Jarrett of Geeks Out, a gay fan group told the Guardian. "It's a deeply disappointing and frankly weird choice."
"Did DC Comics forget to Google Orson Scott Card before hiring him or do they think a notoriously anti-gay activist was the best possible choice to represent Superman?" Andre Banks Co-Founder and Executive Director of All Out asked. "Superman is the good guy who uses his strength to stand up for all the little guys. Card is the opposite - a bully who uses his platform to tear down gays and lesbians and stand in the way of full equality."
"Clearly Superman fans are outraged by Orson Scott Card's opportunity to shape Superman's future," Andre Banks continued. "Hopefully DC Comics realizes he is kryptonite to their brand...and drop him faster than a speeding bullet."