An Extra Mile: Mile High Comics and Drag

The link between comics and queerness has always been there, all the way back to the early days of the superhero. One of the execrable Wertham's contentions was that Batman and Robin promoted homosexuality, though he saw that as a bad thing, rather than the positive representation it really is. The idea of the secret identity has also always been a huge point of identification for queer people, as this New Yorker article about the venerable Stonewall Inn asserts.

But we're moving beyond the realm of secret identities these days. You'll notice that the majority of MCU characters have public identities. I've an inkling that this links, partially, to the cultural acceptance (not universal, I know) of different affectional orientations. We don't need to hide ourselves to protect those we love, and, of course, ourselves.

I wrote an article a little while ago for CBR on a break-in at Mile High Comics in Denver, easily one of the great comic shops on the planet, and while doing research for the article, came across something else, something amazing. Mile High Comics founder Chuck Rozanski has decided to open his warehouse up as an all-ages drag venue to support kings and queens who are barred from the bar scene in the city:

https://www.westword.com/arts/mile-high-comics-founder-chuck-rozanski-opens-a-new-chapter-as-bettie-pages-11241962

https://www.westword.com/arts/mile-high-comics-kicks-off-monthly-all-ages-drag-show-in-style-11255134

This is phenomenal on a number of levels. First, simply the fact of proclaiming this into an industry that's suffering some real diversity backlash of late (looking squarely at you, Comicsgaters) takes superhero-level courage. Mr. Rozanski, or rather, Ms. Pages, donning their secret identity out in public is a rallying cry for all of us who still feel the weight of silence on our shoulders. Second, this kind of support for queer youth, especially in as divided a place as the United States, is vital beyond vital. One of the foci for the Outliers exhibit (this is it's last weekend at Lougheed House, so get out and see it!) was on the connection to queer youth - only by creating these connections can we strengthen the voice of the community. The All-Ages Drag Show is a brilliant, beautiful, and thoroughly fabulous way of making this connection.

Bob Rozanski, Ms. Bettie Pages, comics hero and queer icon!