Once and for all: should Wonder Woman be a lesbian?

[Gaith]

I've argued this generic point before, I've posted my graphic numerous times, I've even blogged it out (no pun intended). But now that a presumably not-even-bi WW is actually, really coming to TV, however briefly, I thought we might settle the question once and for all.

Since this is a matter of very subjective personal opinion, dealing with speculative material rather than any tangible depictions, this is one of those threads where I'm most interested in the poll. So, vote away...

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Proof positive that Wonder Woman should not only be a lesbian but also played by a lesbian.

 

[Nerys Myk]

She's always been written and a hetrosexual. Her classic origin revolves around her attraction to Steve Trevor. I dont think being raised on an island of women would make her a lesbian.

 

[Skellington]

Yes. 15 years after Xena, why not?

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I dont think being raised on an island of women would make her a lesbian.

More likely, it would make her permanently sick and tired of women!

 

[Christopher]

I dont think being raised on an island of women would make her a lesbian.

How could it not? Sexuality is a normal part of human interaction, and it is commonplace for individuals who spend a long time in same-sex environments to engage in same-sex interaction regardless of their normal preferences.

Since Themiscyrans typically live their entire lives without male companionship, then their sexual activity is either homoerotic, autoerotic, zoophilic, or nonexistent. Heterosexuality simply isn't an option. And it's been said that the only truly abnormal human sexual behavior is abstinence.

That said, I wouldn't agree that would mean Diana is "a lesbian" in the sense of an exclusive orientation. I don't think she'd be bound by such labels.

I believe in the Gail Simone comics, Diana did enter into a heterosexual relationship with Nemesis, but she invited him to participate in an Amazon bonding ritual which was pretty clearly implied to be practiced between same-sex couples (because, really, it would have to be if it existed at all).

 

[RandyS]

Where's the option that says, "No, it would be a pointless change that just panders to PC nonsense"?

Oh, I vote no. And no, I'm not against Lesbians, I just don't see the point.

 

[SiorX]

When it comes to lesbianism in Wonder Woman, I'm all about Hippolyta and Phillipus. I'm still annoyed TIIC never let Gail Simone write that.

I'm conflicted on Diana. I'm all for having more leading lesbian or bi characters in TV shows. On the other hand, if I had heard that they were making Diana gay in this, I might have to build an even bigger protective fort of cushions from which to watch this show than I'm already planning. Because there's so much scope for the execs to pander and get things horribly, hideously wrong. I want more lesbian relationships on my tellybox, but I want them done right and with respect.

I think my preference overall would be for a potentially bi Diana. Growing up on Themiscyra where there are lesbian couples, and no default gender-hierarchies it makes sense for her to be open to love and sex with the right people regardless of gender.

ETA: I've just realised Diana and Kate Kane haven't met yet, have they? They should fight monsters together and then there should be shameless flirting. This needs to happen. Who should I write to to make sure this happens?

 

[Hyperspace05]

I dont think being raised on an island of women would make her a lesbian.

How could it not? Sexuality is a normal part of human interaction, and it is commonplace for individuals who spend a long time in same-sex environments to engage in same-sex interaction regardless of their normal preferences.

Do you have some links to studies to back up that claim? (i.e. that people who would normally be heterosexual become homosexual instead in such an environment - not just 'closeted' homosexuals who might be doing what they would be doing anyway)

 

[Kai "the spy"]

Gotta wonder about the subtext such a change would have. There's a big danger of it coming across as if a powerful feminist heroine "gotta be a dyke", and that's certainly not the message I would want to see WW give. But I do find the idea of WW being bisexual, or even pansexual, quite intriguing, given her progressive and open-minded nature.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I dont think being raised on an island of women would make her a lesbian.

How could it not? Sexuality is a normal part of human interaction, and it is commonplace for individuals who spend a long time in same-sex environments to engage in same-sex interaction regardless of their normal preferences.

That's not an actual sexual orientation, you know. It's a temporary response to the environment. Sexual orientation is determined at birth, not shaped by environment.

Do you have some links to studies to back up that claim? (i.e. that people who would normally be heterosexual become homosexual instead in such an environment - not just 'closeted' homosexuals who might be doing what they would be doing anyway)

It's common in all-male societies like prison. But a guy who engages in homosexuality in prison doesn't "turn gay" because of it. Sexual orientation is not determined by environment. That's just the fantasy of Republicans who worry about gays recruiting our kids and nonsense like that.

Where's the option that says, "No, it would be a pointless change that just panders to PC nonsense"?

Nah, it panders to straight guys who like to drool over lipstick lesbians.

There's a big danger of it coming across as if a powerful feminist heroine "gotta be a dyke",

That's another problem but the main problem is that she'd just be fodder for adolescent male fantasies about lesbians that have zero to do with actual lesbians. There's enough adolescent male bullshit all over the TV, how about not wrecking Wonder Woman with it, too?

 

[Nerys Myk]

I dont think being raised on an island of women would make her a lesbian.

How could it not? Sexuality is a normal part of human interaction, and it is commonplace for individuals who spend a long time in same-sex environments to engage in same-sex interaction regardless of their normal preferences.

Since Themiscyrans typically live their entire lives without male companionship, then their sexual activity is either homoerotic, autoerotic, zoophilic, or nonexistent. Heterosexuality simply isn't an option. And it's been said that the only truly abnormal human sexual behavior is abstinence.

That said, I wouldn't agree that would mean Diana is "a lesbian" in the sense of an exclusive orientation. I don't think she'd be bound by such labels.

I believe in the Gail Simone comics, Diana did enter into a heterosexual relationship with Nemesis, but she invited him to participate in an Amazon bonding ritual which was pretty clearly implied to be practiced between same-sex couples (because, really, it would have to be if it existed at all).

Well most if not all of the Amazons had lives prior to winding up on Themiscyra . And some of them might have been hetrosexuals. No doubt they still think about those relationships when masturbating. They might even mention those relationships to Diana. And of course they worshiped both male and female gods and had images of them in their temples. So Diana would be familar with and possibly attracted to the male form, even if there were none available.

 

[TemporalFlux]

Suffering Sappho!

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Odd that everyone seems to be forgetting that Amazon women do have children, or else how do they avoid going extinct? So heterosexuality is not forbidden to them. I'm sure each woman would figure out for herself what her actual sexual orientation naturally is, regardless of whether the society she lives in allows her no means to express that orientation except maybe once a year for procreation.

 

[Gov Kodos]

It seems reasonable to her back story for her to be bi. In the start of her life she is immortal like the other Amazons, and is on this island/dimension for eternity as far as she and the other Amazons know. It seems odd that Hippolyta and the others will expect Diana to remain sexless for eternity (ironic given it's her status after she leaves). It would be reasonable for the Queen to expect Diana will want to explore her sexuality and that would be with other Amazons. The Greeks had no problem with the concept, and as much of the Amazons in the DC universe is a pastiche of ancient Greek culture it's reasonable to write them as accepting bi-sexual relations and for Diana to be comfortably bi-sexual.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Odd that everyone seems to be forgetting that Amazon women do have children, or else how do they avoid going extinct? So heterosexuality is not forbidden to them. I'm sure each woman would figure out for herself what her actual sexual orientation naturally is, regardless of whether the society she lives in allows her no means to express that orientation except maybe once a year for procreation.

Once DC's Amazons were exiled on Paradise Island, they became immortal so the need for offspring as a way of continuing their society was eliminated. Though some did yearn for children. In fact thats why Diana was created.

 

[SiorX]

^ The Themysciran Amazons are potentially-immortal. Diana's the only child to have been born there (well, shaped from clay there)

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Ok. I was thinking of the "real" Amazons.

 

[Gaith]

It seems reasonable to her back story for her to be bi. In the start of her life she is immortal like the other Amazons, and is on this island/dimension for eternity as far as she and the other Amazons know. It seems odd that Hippolyta and the others will expect Diana to remain sexless for eternity (ironic given it's her status after she leaves). It would be reasonable for the Queen to expect Diana will want to explore her sexuality and that would be with other Amazons. The Greeks had no problem with the concept, and as much of the Amazons in the DC universe is a pastiche of ancient Greek culture it's reasonable to write them as accepting bi-sexual relations and for Diana to be comfortably bi-sexual.

But

She's always been written and a hetrosexual.

 

[Mr Light]

I would definitely say that it's prison rules while on Paradise Island

The Gail Simone run on WW heavily implied this. This is why that one group of Amazons went all murder-death-kill when Diana was born, since they couldn't have children.