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The Most Lesbian/Bi Tidbits from San Diego Comic-Con 2014

Comic-Con is, inherently, a place for outsiders of all kinds, so tons of queer people are in attendance every year. LGBT-themed comic organization Prism has been a part of the convention since the beginning, making sure we have a voice in Prism-sponsored panels, parties and a regular booth with signings and support for gay authors and artists. This year, Comic-Con held its first ever transgender panel, in addition to a handful of other queer-themed discussions that were not only successful, but spawned conversations that could have made up a convention all their own.

Outside of Prism’s confines, however, there’s still a lot to be desired when it comes to queer inclusiveness at Comic-Con. A stop by DC Comics had no Batwoman memorabilia on hand, although plenty of scantily-clad female characters on T-shirts. Much of the art and displays for TV shows and artists of all sizes thrust forward male leads, even on shows or in books where there is a strong female that could have easily been up front, too. (I’m looking at you, The Blacklist.)

This being my first time at Comic-Con, it was clear to me that while we are accepted as a part of the greater con community, there’s still something keeping geek culture from completely embracing us. As part of the panel I participated in (called The LGBT Year in Geek), one topic was seeing ourselves in video games, and how Nintendo failed not so long ago with calling the ability to have a gay character in their Tamagotchi Life a “glitch.” And even when we do have lesbian or bi characters on TV shows that are brought to Comic-Con, their parts are still small enough they don’t get brought to meet fans in places like this. (For example, Margot in Hannibal, Tara in The Walking Dead, Lieutenant Alisha Granderson in The Last Ship, Agent Hand on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Doc Yewll on Defiance, Renee Montoya on the upcoming Gotham.)

Tara (Alanna Masterson) in “The Walking Dead”In terms of what we could find ourselves in, though, there were some panels and people that are worth applauding for their being inclusive and bringing queerness to Comic-Con. Here are some of the tidbits you will want to know about.

I was able to get a pass to the True Blood panel, which was great for two reasons: First, Anna Paquin was a bad ass with some blue hair. Secondly, it was revealed Tara (Rutina Wesley) was not completely gone for good. A clip showed Tara in angelic form, standing in a white dress in front of Lafayette and Hattie, which indicates she might not be back for any loving with Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten), but for her family’s sake. You can see it all in the teaser below.

Anna Paquin answered (for the millionth time) who she’d want Sookie to end up and she chose Pam. “Pam has the best clothes and maybe we could share?” Good answer.

During the panel for Hannibal, the audience cheered for lesbian character Margot Verger’s appearance in a montage. Show creator Bryan Fuller answered a question about the “parallel between Margot and Will’s abdominal scars” that were revealed at the end of Season 2.

Katharine Isabelle as Margot in “Hannibal”“They’re both left with scars by their oppressors,” Fuller said. BTW, we scored some time with Fuller at the NBC party and have some great Margot scoop to come.

In case you missed it, Tatiana Maslany and the Orphan Black panel had a touching moment where a fan thanked Tatiana for Cosima’s openness and self-acceptance about her sexuality.

Tatiana also appeared on a Women Who Kick Ass panel with out actress Sarah Paulson, who revealed her hardest scene ever was in American Horror Story: Asylum when she had to try to masturbate in order to become ex-gay. “That was a challenging thing to do, [and] for my father and mother to watch.”

During the American Horror Story: Coven panel, Sarah said she plays favorites between her two-headed Freakshow characters, Bette and Dotte.

“It’s only been a week but I do have a favorite: Bette is my favorite right now but it’s a week in and … for some reason she feels very organic to me somehow,” she says. “I love her.” There are about 22 people at a time working on every single shot that I do. It’s a very complicated, expensive situation. How it will all come together I do not know but it’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.”

The Arrow panel gave us some good news. Season 3 will see the return of Nyssa (Katrina Law), and she “will absolutely play into the season and we have a really cool arc planned,” said executive producer Marc Guggenheim. This is very good news as we just found out Black Canary (aka Nyssa’s girl kiss from last season, played by Caity Lotz) will also be returning in Season 3.

Cat Staggs spoke on a DC panel about getting to draw for the new Wonder Woman anthology, a chapter which is written by her wife, Amanda Deibert. She said of the gig, “When I got the email, it was pretty incredible. An anthology series is perfect for this character. My story has a lot of fighting, but then there’s a really wonderful heartfelt moment at the end about standing up for yourself, and believing in yourself.”

Adventure Time was announced to be renewed for a seventh season by Cartoon Network, so if you’er sticking round for the shipping of Marceline and Princess Bubblegum, you’ll be psyched on that. You might also be interested in this cute badge Prism had on sale.

There were some other favorite lesbian-themed comics in Terry Moore’s Strangers in Paradise and Jaime Hernandez’s Love & Rockets, but if you were already a fan of those staples, what’s new and exciting? Boom Studios’ Lumberjanes was probably the hottest new thing, especially for younger readers. Illustrator Noelle Stevenson appeared on a panel for “Gays in Comics” and it seemed the crowd shared her enthusiasm for stories about 12-year-old girls who may not be (and should not be!) sexualized, but are still queer.

After spending four days at San Diego Comic Con, I can guarantee we’re here and queer inside the Convention Center and surrounding Gaslamp Quarter, but we need more reflections of ourselves in the kinds of books, television, movies and other media we’re devouring as rabid fans. Big ups to Prism for holding down the fort and being exceptional in their programming and the space they fill every year. We have a video segment on their work at Comic-Con forthcoming.

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