Be Gay Do Comics Is a Fantastic Celebration of LGBTQ+ Representation

Be Gay Do Comics is an amazing anthology that celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community and its history through collected comics from the satirical website The Nib. When it comes to mainstream comic publications like Marvel and DC, LGBTQ+ representation has slowly but surely become more common as the years have passed. With characters like Jonathan Kent and Harley Quinn getting more recognition through their relationships, the comics field is becoming a more open medium to showcase diverse relationships and gender identities. However, before these latest breaks in the mainstream, LGBTQ+ comics and artists have thrived with online independent content to tell their stories and educate their audience. Now, select authors are having their works shared on the page with an amazing collection.

Be Gay Do Comics is a collection of comics created by queer writers and artists of varying backgrounds. It scopes beyond the traditional idea of gay and Trans to include more views from the vast spectrum that is the LGBTQ+ community. From non-binary gender identities to an exploration of the AroAce community, this is a book that compiles comics with extraordinary experiences by authors that walk different paths on the same road. What’s even more amazing is that there is no set definition of what constitutes a “comic” in this book. Some of the works can be made for a giggle while calling out ridiculous constraints in society. Others educate on certain events or icons in queer history to enlighten readers on just how far back the LGBTQ+ community goes. It’s an anthology that’s not just diverse in identity but also in creation.

Of course, that’s where Be Gay Do Comics‘ biggest strength lies: diversity. Whether it’s through the style of the comic or the author behind it, this is a collection that champions difference and highlights just why variety is necessary. These comics challenge what many would consider “the norm” in society by showing that humanity is more complicated than that, and it’s beautifully captured in multiple different comics by amazing artists like Sage Coffey, Archie Bongiovanni, and Mady G to name a few of the 40 contributors. Some of the topics discussed include what it means to be queer and if they are truly “queer enough,” an encounter with a dancing group as a non-binary person, and a history lesson on one of the US’ biggest generals during the American Revolution that was also a gay man. These stories are amazing because it provides a colorful look at an underrepresented community…and goes even further when it holds overlooked sections even higher.

One of the biggest compliments that can be given to Be Gay Do Comics is that it gives everyone a chance to shine. There’s an amazing amount of content in this book that’s written from non-binary, AroAce, Trans-masculine, and many other perspectives that aren’t commonly seen in most LGBTQ+ media today. There’s even a section near the beginning called “The Response” where six Trans creators are asked about the transition process. Every single story is written by someone that’s either non-binary or Trans-masculine, giving a fascinating look at the viewpoint of people that the media usually doesn’t highlight when talking about the Trans community. This one section alone showcases the achievement that Be Gay Do Comics attains: celebrate everyone, not just the parts people know.

The Nib released Be Gay Do Comics back in 2020, and it’s still available at local bookstores today! Any reader with a fascination for LGBTQ+ media or just a love comics in general, this is well worth picking up. It’s just incredible to know that an anthology like Be Gay Do Comics exists as it’s a fantastic celebration of LGBTQ+ representation that’s sure to become an instant classic.

About The Author