Anthony Mackie gave an interview to Variety this week where he spoke on the conversation of fans applying LGBTQ+ lenses to relationships between male superheroes.
In particular, Mackie’s hero, Sam Wilson (Falcon), and Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes (The Winter Soldier). While this is a big topic right now, it’s one that Mackie decided to throw his hat into the ring on.
There’s been a lot of fandom requesting Falcon and The Winter Soldier to go behind their friendship into something a little more personal. Mackie put his comments about the situation out there and caught a lot of flack for his choice of words, even being deemed “homophobic”, though if we actually look at what he said, he’s not being homophobic at all.
“In this day and age, so many things are twisted and convoluted. There’s so many things that people latch on to with their own devices to make themselves relevant and rational…The idea of two guys being friends and loving each other in 2021 is a problem because of the exploitation of homosexuality. It used to be guys can be friends, we can hang out, and it was cool. You would always meet your friends at the bar, you know. You can’t do that anymore, because something as pure and beautiful as homosexuality has been exploited by people who are trying to rationalize themselves. So something that’s always been very important to me is showing a sensitive masculine figure. There’s nothing more masculine than being a superhero and flying around and beating people up. But there’s nothing more sensitive than having emotional conversations and a kindred spirit friendship with someone that you care about and love. Sam and Steve had a relationship where they appreciated, admired, and loved each other. Bucky and Sam have a relationship where they learn how to accept, appreciate and love each other. You’d call it a bromance, but it’s literally just two guys who have each other’s backs.”
Anthony Mackie’s Comments Were Not Homophobic & Here’s Why
Mackie is saying that sexuality is being applied to anything and everything these days, and he’s not wrong. Everytime we have a new hero, character or book the first question seems to be “but what’s their sexuality?”.
With people now pushing for him to be more with his co-star Stan, he simply said that sexuality doesn’t need to be pushed into everything, and people are exploiting it.
He even says, “something as pure and beautiful as homosexuality”, not degrading or downplaying it at all, but rather saying that it’s something beautiful. Mackie just doesn’t think we need to push sexuality into everything.
Mackie’s comments don’t come off homophobic at all, and rather, he’s saying it’s pure. He just doesn’t understand why it’s being pushed onto everything and if he says no, he’s now homophobic. It doesn’t make sense.
What do you think? Do you think he’s homophobic in the slightest? Let us know in the comments below.
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