Captain America Getting A Boyfriend Doesn't Make Him Gay, It Makes Him Awesome

The idea, to give Marvel powerhouse Captain America AKA Steve Rogers a boyfriend, comes on the heels of #GiveElsaAGirlfriend, another hashtag urging Disney to embrace diversity in some of their biggest characters. The response online to the hashtag has been mixed. Plenty of people are urging Disney to follow through and give one of the biggest superheroes out there some dude love. Others however are bemoaning the idea, saying that  Cap can't be gay, because that's not what the comics say!

What everyone seems to be missing is the fact that the hashtag isn't #MakeCaptainAmericaGay, it's #GiveCaptainAmericaABoyfriend. The two don't necessarily mean the same thing. 

I think the idea is fantastic! Here's why.

Ok, the love between Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes is so obvious, sometimes it's hard to watch without just wanting them to be together! Steve has spent three movies trying to protect Bucky, even when that is the worst possible option. Steve obviously loves Bucky, and sure that live might be platonic or like a brother, but platonic love turns into romantic love all the time, so why not this time?

When Steve Rogers was in the army during World War II, he fell in love with one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s founding members, Peggy Carter. After he was brought back to life in the 21st century, Peggy was an old woman who died at the beginning of 'Civil War.' By the end of that film, it's clear that Steve has feelings for his neighbor/former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent/Captain America guard, Agent 13. The thing about Agent 13? She also happens to be Sharon Carter, Peggy Carter's NIECE. So, a few weeks after his girlfriend died an old woman, Steve is making out with her niece. Not ok, bro.

Ok, strap in for this one everyone, but having a boyfriend does not automatically make Captain America gay. In fact, I think it's pretty obvious that he's NOT gay (see the previous item, and the relationships he's had with not one but two Carter women). Sexuality is very fluid, and for some people tends to change a lot. Maybe Steve realizes that he's in love with a man, but is still attracted to women. Maybe he finds both men and women sexually attractive. 

The way we think of sexuality is still way too binary, and maybe having a character as prolific as Captain America be sexually fluid can help to change that.

Yeah well, 'Civil War' wasn't how it happened in the comics either. The Marvel Cinematic Universe bends SO FAR from what is in the comics, because they're telling a new story. Yes, they're pulling from the comics, but that doesn't mean EVERY single thing has to be the same. People seem to be so dedicated to this part of the cannon, and no one seemed to be all that concerned with all the other changes that have been made in the past. This is not a good argument.

Yes, I know I already said this, but it bears repeating. #Stucky is perfect in every possible way and they need to be together.

Bucky is the obvious choice for Captain America's boyfriend, but he's certainly not the only option. Basically the entire world is in love with Steve Rogers (except Tony Stark, at this point...he's out as potential boyfriend material) so it wouldn't be too difficult to find someone to be his boyfriend.

Sure, some people would be upset, but people are always going to be upset. Plus, it would be an awesome win for LGBT and non-conforming people to see someone who represents them in one of the biggest franchises around.

However, representation is a lot more than just one character. We still need more LGBT characters in comic books, movies and TV, because it's so important for people, especially kids and teens, to see people who are like them.

Having a major character come out as gay/bi/fluid is great and all, but just like one Avenger isn't always enough, one example of representation is definitely not enough.