I was over 30 before I went to the gay village in Toronto and visited a gay bar there, just so I could say I did. Didn't feel a desire to go again, and haven't so far. So it's very possible to live near a place and not go there. ;)
....well, Darr, if you're kissing Eddie on the most known Gay Beach in NYC, you're PROBABLY Gay, Man....ha-HAAA!!
...Well, well, well....Eddie sure was pumped up for this kiss form Darr, because, he looks like the HULK! ..I still understand that Darren wants to take it 'slowly', but...this is becomin' like MOLASSES, now!
...Darren is a BEAUTIFUL Ebony nerd-Hunk, and, yes, Comic Books are his thing, but....he's also a HOT STUD, and, Eddie's..ummmm..'been around'....It may come off like 'blue-balling' to Ed, and it may wind up in the 'Friend-zone'....
...which, I originally thought where it was going to be.... I feel it's time Greg makes some changes to the characters romantic lives....
- Drew & Lance should tie the knot - Brad & Price should have a funny, sexy liaison again - Sergei & Rudy should date more 'Bears' & (Gay) Elders - Kyle should date again (or, reconcile w/ Breyer) - Delia & Lisa should play around (..but, keep a Guy in the mix, for us Gays...) - Jeremy & Mannis should get hitched, & ask a LOTTA questions, to Nick & Dave - Richard should date again, but with more SERIOUS minded paramours
...Oh well, lovely, warm post this bi-week, Sir Greg....and Darren & Ed's big juicy BOOTIES in that last panel, got ME 'warm', TOO! ...ha-HAAA!
Interesting. I didn't see the attraction at first but I'm now seeing where Darren is coming from and some chemistry. That being said: Darren is HOT AF. Loving the man beard, plus he's a nerd and a cop...MMmmmmmm
I agree: it's time for Drew and Lance to tie the knot....ALso, I'd like to see Kristian back and when will we see a lesbian love affair...? Intergenerational love affair...?
THANK YOU GREG FOR NOT POSTING YET ANOTHER BORING EPISIODE OF PRICE AND BRAD....!
I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, It's been a long time coming and it FINALLY happened, the kiss to end all kisses. Gentlemen let me introduce you to Edren the new Kyle's B&B power couple. As episodes go was one of the most beautiful artistically, honest and heartfelt, the second to the last panel with Eduardo & Darren staring into each others eyes then the last panel of their 1st kiss with the sun set in the background, Greg couldn't have ended the episode any better, it gave me all the feels. Bravo Greg!!!!
I don't get why some people can't see the chemistry between Eduardo & Darren because it's clear as day, plus people need to stop hating on Eduardo, you claim he's young and needs to grow up but forget that man has been on his own since he was in high school & kicked out by his parents, it may be taking him some time but he has a job that's paying his tuition for college which he's paying for himself. They claim he needs to grow up but are clueless to the fact he's raised himself. Darren & Eduardo compliment one another, let them be and watch them grow.
NNNooooooo I hate being wrong!!!! LOL! You called it and it came to be. Actually this kiss was a more honest looking one than the ones in the past. That's a cute name for Darren and Eduardo. I must say that this is the second most heartfelt one I've ever seen on this strip. Both times, they involved Eduardo (the 1st one was Gabriel Hernandez who was brutally murdered by his parents). Romantically, this was by far THE best episode! Far and away!
On a more personal note: we FINALLY get to see 2 POC gays together! Free at last, Free at last!
Thank you for acknowledging what I have been saying from day 1, Edren makes a beautiful couple not because physically their both attractive mainly because they both are working for what they want out life, no Darren isn't a club kid and Eduardo isn't a comic book geek but they have a respect for one another beyond be attracted to each other. If people just let Greg take his time to develop their relationship organically they could be the B&B couple to emulate.
The fact they are the comics first ever gay persons of color relationship is about time!!!! Good things come to those who wait and I've been waiting for this for a long long time.
Hopefully Eduardo's haters will start giving him some credit, he's not as juvenile or aloof as they want to make him out to be.
Eduardo will be the one to help Darren come out of his shell and darren will give Eduardo the love and support he's been missing in his life.
You were correct and now that I see it, it makes perfect sense because no two people can be alike, and opposites do attract. Eduardo has an extensive sexual history but wants one person now while Darren is more lowkey. Eduardo likes the club scene while Darren likes comic book conventions. They both have something to which they could go to unwind. Darren can teach Eduardo about stability and Eduardo can teach Darren to loosen up more. I really think that this couple will surpass Drew/Lance.
I agree with you: IT'S ABOUT TIME! I am sick to death of seeing black/white gay couples and no other gay couples that involve people of color. This has been a LONG LONG LONG time coming.
I never thought that Eduardo was aloof, I did feel as if he, like a lot of younger gay men, are adrift in a sea of gay parties, scene and then when they get older, they realize that the parties over.
I would like to express my gratitude for your depiction of Darren and his views on dating. I'm sure most are aware that not all gay men fall at the "faster" end of the spectrum, but those of us at the "slower" end seemingly receive very little representation in the media.
I freely admit that I have no personal experience with what happens on Fire Island. If it truly is as free spirited as is commonly presented I find it an ironic setting for Eduardo and Darren's slowly blossoming relationship.
Eduardo would be a lot easier to like if his entire position in this relationship wasn't constant surprise and criticism that Darren is who he is. It's annoying, and not the best way to get to know someone you're dating.
I'm surprised Darren has stood for it this long, regardless of whatever initial attraction he had to Eduardo. I hope he calls him out for this behavior at some point, because the "you're not gay the same way I am?!" attitude is getting old.
That Eduardo Hater Aid flavored Kool-Aid must be delicious....At what point did he ever criticize Darren for as you stated "you're not gay the same way I am?!", he never said that, and for that matter Darren never officially came out per-se, outside of Brad forcing that kiss on him Darren never has done anything physical with another man that we know of. Go back and read panels 3&4 and panels 7-9, they show how patient Eduardo is willing to be with Darren and that he has true feeling for him, it also show Darren really wanted to kiss Eduardo compared to Brads forced sexual assault kiss.
Yes, I have to admit that Greg FINALLY captured the insides of a POC gay man. We're not all sexual monsters. ANd I don't know what Fire Island is. LOL...
I hear what you're saying and I have to say that I disagree with you. I see Eduardo saying this as a way to break the ice and get Darren to loosen up. Remember, Eduardo has not been in a serious relationship and no doubt, he feels the jitters. He's certainly never had to take it slow either so this is new territory for him.
I see your point and it's a very very good one. Where was the analysis of everyone else here when Brad tried to force himself on Darren? I heard crickets...Isn't that assault...? Because he's blond and white, he gets a pass, I guess...Remember when Price forced himself on Brad? I stated that it was sexual assault and almost everyone here came down HARD on me for me DARING to say that. The general consensus was: "Brad came, so he must've enjoyed himself..." Then someone named Wildcat would try to delete what I've said. Censorship at its best! CERTAIN people can say and do things while others cannot within the gay community at large. Honestly? I didn't like Eduardo either at first but after viewing him in certain panels, I came to like him. I CERTAINLY like him MUCH MORE than Price, Brad and that gossipy queen Richard...I said it once and I'll say it again: This is the best episode that Greg has produced on a romantic level...
@Joule: I don't hate Eduardo, but I wouldn't date him. And no, he didn't say the exact words "you're not gay the same way I am," but that critical tone is implied by the exchange:
"I didn't realize coming here was a requirement." "Only if you're gay."
So there are certain *right* things to do when you're gay, and Darren hasn't done them. And given how many people in this very comment thread are saying that they've never gone to and/or don't want to go to "the" gay areas, it strikes me that Eduardo is being pretty close-minded about the variety of gay people in the world.
@Jack: If I squint, I can see the Eduardo you're talking about, so it might just be a question of tone (which obviously we don't get when we're reading the strip). If that's true, there's some hope that he'll soften up on the (capital-G) Gay stuff moving forward. I'd like him better if he did.
That's just it, even squinting he still has not done anywhere near what Price has done. Price has ZERO good qualities. Of all of the characters in this strip, I see Price as the most useless and predatory. It's downright creepy. At least Eduardo is trying to make something of himself, unlike Price who is little more than a stereotypical, "privileged" queen.
I have to stick up for my man Eduardo he's never said darren was boring just what he likes is boring. The banter between the two from when they first met set the stage for how much they were interested in each other, Darren did go all the way to the B&B just to return a paint brush which lead Eduardo to showing Darren the picture of the housemates dressed up as the Legion, Darren even came back later on when he met Delia tell her "we're like friends, or something". Eduardo was the first person Darren told he was joining the police academy and what did Eduardo do, take him out to "EVERHARD WOODS" so as a patrolman Darren could keep an eye out because of the gay bashing that was going on unreported to the police. As for Brad, to him it was a date but for Darren it was just two guys hanging out, and after being sexually assaulted by Price you'd think Brad would have known better than kissing someone unexpectedly when they didn't ask for it and right after it happen Darren told him that him and Eduardo hand a thing but it wasn't defined and when they talked Darren admitted to Eduardo it was him he wanted to kiss not Brad.All one had to do was pay close attention to the interactions and banter between Eduardo & Darren and they would have seen the inevitable.
Let's be clear, throughout their whole courtship Darren never said he was gay, even on the beach when Eduardo tells him that he never heard Darren say he was gay Darren's response was "I like you but I need to take things slow". Eduardo should not be faulted or shamed for being young and doing things young gay men do, most of us have been there ourselves, Darren hasn't revealed a whole lot of himself to him so he's working with what he knows and i think he's done a damn good job. The attraction between the two in my opinion is very organic, I wouldn't say they're opposites that attract I see them as two people on different ends of a scale that balances the other out. This is the first POC gay couple in the strip and I can't wait to see where Greg takes them. One storyline I would love to see is Darren coming out to his aunt and Eduardo being the loving boyfriend who has his back throughout the process, only Greg knows what's in store.
Wow, that was a long one! LOL but I can see where you're going. I honestly feel as if other characters such as Eduardo, Rudy and others gets lost in the dust while other characters such as Brad and Price take center stage. That being said: Eduardo did not say that Darren was boring. They are at different areas in their lives, but they come together to create something that none of the couples here have: spark. The banter for me is that two people who are complete opposites and this can keep their relationship spicy and active. You can be in a great relationship if (1) one is a nerd and (2) one is more outgoing. I don't see the problem with that....Regarding Brad, he didn't learn his lesson because to him, he's too privileged to know when he has done something wrong. The fact that he just forced a kiss without there being any type of lead-up reinforces that.
The worst thing in the world is to have your gay "younghood" taken from you. Yes, Eduardo is growing up and he has shown FAR MORE GROWTH than Brad ever has. In fact, they were going to hook up at one point and Brad couldn't "ahem" perform. I never liked him with Jake! UGH. Not a match at all. Therefore, Eduardo has made serious strides! That being said: I am so glad that we finally get to see two POC gay people together and not some stymied storyline that I saw from the Hulu production of Fire Island.!
As a black gay man myself, I still would like to see a black couple; it's barely any representation of black gay couples. I'm sure I would be attacked for this, but it's my opinion. I still don't see the chemistry between them. And that "you're not gay like me" comment rubbed me the wrong way. But if people are happy with this pairing, that's good. I just hope Darren doesn't become a token character like many of the other black characters, and we don't see them for a while, or their storyline gets pushed aside.
I too am an African American gay man and yes, I'd like to see a black couple. I have stated this until I was blue in the face, and I have had several members here attack me because of it. I have seen my comments erased and worse, basically treated as if I was invisible because we always see a black/white couple with the white guy being seen as the "savior." However, I did not take offense at the "gay like me" comment because it was true, they ARE different, and it's not meant as a form of elitism. I am just now seeing the chemistry between the two and it's been a slow builder. I can't tell you how happy it is to speak to other POC gay people who understand what I am trying to say.
@Jack the "gay like comment" bother me only because I heard it said to me so many times like all gay are supposed to be its dame. I am happy that it's a couple that includes 2 POC, but like I said, I would like to have seen a black gay couple once in the series. I just am sometimes frustrated with how the black characters are sowhat'ses pushed to the side, like whats going on with Lance after the whole ordeal at the party? And Kristian and Matthias were just shipped out. I guess I should be happy with the small victory of Ed and Darren becoming a couple, I guess
@M.B. Yep, you are correct, Matt and Kristian (2 of the HOTTEST men there) were unexpectedly shipped out for no reason. Meanwhile, we're left with Price. I mean come on! I too am very frustrated at the lack of black history within not only this strip but the gay community at large. We (black gay men) are always on the backburner to support someone else, but heaven forbid that we have lives and interactions of our own. Lance is pretty much married to Drew at this point. This "small victory" of Ed and Darren shouldn't have to be a small victory, it should be normal, but I get your point. I wish that people realize that we, black gay men are tired of this and this is why so many gay factions fail, it's because they won't include EVERYONE and not just a select few.
As a black man I agree with you that I would love to see a Black gay couple in the comic, what I don't want is a Black couple just because they're Black, we saw that when Lance and Matthias went out on a date, no chemistry at all. The best this about Edren (Eduardo & Darren) is that their relationship/coupling happened organically, it was forced and it took it's time. I applaud Greg for having Black characters considering some artist would only have one and he would be mostly a background character, I'm not saying Greg is throwing us crumbs and we should be happy, he's been inclusive from day one and to my knowledge has not portrayed and character of color in a negative stereotypical light.
I didn't know that Lance and Matt went out on a date. But I digress. I think that the lack of chemistry between Matt and Lance is because Lance lives in a white gay world and Matt does not. This means that anything that is not white, Lance rebuffs. I agree with you about Eduardo and Darren's relationship developing as opposed to them just jumping into bed. While I do applaud Greg for incorporating black characters, I do question just how much he actually knows about black gay or POC gay culture overall, a lot of times it seems as if he knows what he hears as opposed to actual research. I do like the fact that he doesn't portray stereotypical characters for black gay men but I wonder why he never discusses gay racism in his work.
I can't speak to Gregs experience with gay Men of Color/culture overall, I will speak to the fact they he has never presented POC in a negative or stereotypical light whether the character is Black Asian or Latino. I'm sure he's done research and has spoken with gay MOC(men of color) to write his characters as authentically as he could. I don't want people pressuring Greg when there are Black gay comic artist who's comic isn't as diverse as his, there's one I could name but I'm not who draws mainly white characters, you'd think a Black artist would draw more Black characters than he actually does. Let's put into context the area where Kyle's B&B takes place, the minority population is less than 4% so if we're to be honest the number of minorities in the comic is on par with the population in reality.
28 comments:
I was over 30 before I went to the gay village in Toronto and visited a gay bar there, just so I could say I did. Didn't feel a desire to go again, and haven't so far. So it's very possible to live near a place and not go there. ;)
....well, Darr, if you're kissing Eddie on the most known Gay Beach in NYC, you're PROBABLY Gay, Man....ha-HAAA!!
...Well, well, well....Eddie sure was pumped up for this kiss form Darr, because, he looks like the HULK! ..I still understand that Darren wants to take it 'slowly', but...this is becomin' like MOLASSES, now!
...Darren is a BEAUTIFUL Ebony nerd-Hunk, and, yes, Comic Books are his thing, but....he's also a HOT STUD, and, Eddie's..ummmm..'been around'....It may come off like 'blue-balling' to Ed, and it may wind up in the 'Friend-zone'....
...which, I originally thought where it was going to be.... I feel it's time Greg makes some changes to the characters romantic lives....
- Drew & Lance should tie the knot
- Brad & Price should have a funny, sexy liaison again
- Sergei & Rudy should date more 'Bears' & (Gay) Elders
- Kyle should date again (or, reconcile w/ Breyer)
- Delia & Lisa should play around (..but, keep a Guy in the mix, for us Gays...)
- Jeremy & Mannis should get hitched, & ask a LOTTA questions, to Nick & Dave
- Richard should date again, but with more SERIOUS minded paramours
...Oh well, lovely, warm post this bi-week, Sir Greg....and Darren & Ed's big juicy BOOTIES in that last panel, got ME 'warm', TOO! ...ha-HAAA!
...CHOW!!
Interesting. I didn't see the attraction at first but I'm now seeing where Darren is coming from and some chemistry. That being said: Darren is HOT AF. Loving the man beard, plus he's a nerd and a cop...MMmmmmmm
I agree: it's time for Drew and Lance to tie the knot....ALso, I'd like to see Kristian back and when will we see a lesbian love affair...? Intergenerational love affair...?
THANK YOU GREG FOR NOT POSTING YET ANOTHER BORING EPISIODE OF PRICE AND BRAD....!
Jack
Aaaahhhh!!!
I love that kiss!!!
I'm in my 50s, have been out for so long, grew up in NYC, yet...
I've never been to Fire Island...
No real desire, either!
Darren is sexy as hell...with a hot butt!
And Eduardo...SWOON!!!
I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, It's been a long time coming and it FINALLY happened, the kiss to end all kisses. Gentlemen let me introduce you to Edren the new Kyle's B&B power couple. As episodes go was one of the most beautiful artistically, honest and heartfelt, the second to the last panel with Eduardo & Darren staring into each others eyes then the last panel of their 1st kiss with the sun set in the background, Greg couldn't have ended the episode any better, it gave me all the feels. Bravo Greg!!!!
I don't get why some people can't see the chemistry between Eduardo & Darren because it's clear as day, plus people need to stop hating on Eduardo, you claim he's young and needs to grow up but forget that man has been on his own since he was in high school & kicked out by his parents, it may be taking him some time but he has a job that's paying his tuition for college which he's paying for himself. They claim he needs to grow up but are clueless to the fact he's raised himself. Darren & Eduardo compliment one another, let them be and watch them grow.
Eduardo needs to start realizing that the world does not run according to his vision board/feelings journal.
@Joule
NNNooooooo I hate being wrong!!!! LOL! You called it and it came to be. Actually this kiss was a more honest looking one than the ones in the past. That's a cute name for Darren and Eduardo. I must say that this is the second most heartfelt one I've ever seen on this strip. Both times, they involved Eduardo (the 1st one was Gabriel Hernandez who was brutally murdered by his parents). Romantically, this was by far THE best episode! Far and away!
On a more personal note: we FINALLY get to see 2 POC gays together! Free at last, Free at last!
Jack
@Jack
Thank you for acknowledging what I have been saying from day 1, Edren makes a beautiful couple not because physically their both attractive mainly because they both are working for what they want out life, no Darren isn't a club kid and Eduardo isn't a comic book geek but they have a respect for one another beyond be attracted to each other. If people just let Greg take his time to develop their relationship organically they could be the B&B couple to emulate.
The fact they are the comics first ever gay persons of color relationship is about time!!!! Good things come to those who wait and I've been waiting for this for a long long time.
Hopefully Eduardo's haters will start giving him some credit, he's not as juvenile or aloof as they want to make him out to be.
Eduardo will be the one to help Darren come out of his shell and darren will give Eduardo the love and support he's been missing in his life.
@Joule
You were correct and now that I see it, it makes perfect sense because no two people can be alike, and opposites do attract. Eduardo has an extensive sexual history but wants one person now while Darren is more lowkey. Eduardo likes the club scene while Darren likes comic book conventions. They both have something to which they could go to unwind. Darren can teach Eduardo about stability and Eduardo can teach Darren to loosen up more. I really think that this couple will surpass Drew/Lance.
I agree with you: IT'S ABOUT TIME! I am sick to death of seeing black/white gay couples and no other gay couples that involve people of color. This has been a LONG LONG LONG time coming.
I never thought that Eduardo was aloof, I did feel as if he, like a lot of younger gay men, are adrift in a sea of gay parties, scene and then when they get older, they realize that the parties over.
Jack
Greg -
I would like to express my gratitude for your depiction of Darren and his views on dating. I'm sure most are aware that not all gay men fall at the "faster" end of the spectrum, but those of us at the "slower" end seemingly receive very little representation in the media.
I freely admit that I have no personal experience with what happens on Fire Island. If it truly is as free spirited as is commonly presented I find it an ironic setting for Eduardo and Darren's slowly blossoming relationship.
Eduardo would be a lot easier to like if his entire position in this relationship wasn't constant surprise and criticism that Darren is who he is. It's annoying, and not the best way to get to know someone you're dating.
I'm surprised Darren has stood for it this long, regardless of whatever initial attraction he had to Eduardo. I hope he calls him out for this behavior at some point, because the "you're not gay the same way I am?!" attitude is getting old.
-- Thom H.
@Thom H
That Eduardo Hater Aid flavored Kool-Aid must be delicious....At what point did he ever criticize Darren for as you stated "you're not gay the same way I am?!", he never said that, and for that matter Darren never officially came out per-se, outside of Brad forcing that kiss on him Darren never has done anything physical with another man that we know of. Go back and read panels 3&4 and panels 7-9, they show how patient Eduardo is willing to be with Darren and that he has true feeling for him, it also show Darren really wanted to kiss Eduardo compared to Brads forced sexual assault kiss.
@One
Yes, I have to admit that Greg FINALLY captured the insides of a POC gay man. We're not all sexual monsters. ANd I don't know what Fire Island is. LOL...
Jack
@Thom,
I hear what you're saying and I have to say that I disagree with you. I see Eduardo saying this as a way to break the ice and get Darren to loosen up. Remember, Eduardo has not been in a serious relationship and no doubt, he feels the jitters. He's certainly never had to take it slow either so this is new territory for him.
Jack
@Joule
I see your point and it's a very very good one. Where was the analysis of everyone else here when Brad tried to force himself on Darren? I heard crickets...Isn't that assault...? Because he's blond and white, he gets a pass, I guess...Remember when Price forced himself on Brad? I stated that it was sexual assault and almost everyone here came down HARD on me for me DARING to say that. The general consensus was: "Brad came, so he must've enjoyed himself..." Then someone named Wildcat would try to delete what I've said. Censorship at its best! CERTAIN people can say and do things while others cannot within the gay community at large. Honestly? I didn't like Eduardo either at first but after viewing him in certain panels, I came to like him. I CERTAINLY like him MUCH MORE than Price, Brad and that gossipy queen Richard...I said it once and I'll say it again: This is the best episode that Greg has produced on a romantic level...
Jack
@Joule: I don't hate Eduardo, but I wouldn't date him. And no, he didn't say the exact words "you're not gay the same way I am," but that critical tone is implied by the exchange:
"I didn't realize coming here was a requirement."
"Only if you're gay."
So there are certain *right* things to do when you're gay, and Darren hasn't done them. And given how many people in this very comment thread are saying that they've never gone to and/or don't want to go to "the" gay areas, it strikes me that Eduardo is being pretty close-minded about the variety of gay people in the world.
@Jack: If I squint, I can see the Eduardo you're talking about, so it might just be a question of tone (which obviously we don't get when we're reading the strip). If that's true, there's some hope that he'll soften up on the (capital-G) Gay stuff moving forward. I'd like him better if he did.
-- Thom H.
@Thom
That's just it, even squinting he still has not done anywhere near what Price has done. Price has ZERO good qualities. Of all of the characters in this strip, I see Price as the most useless and predatory. It's downright creepy. At least Eduardo is trying to make something of himself, unlike Price who is little more than a stereotypical, "privileged" queen.
Jack
@Jack: Oh, for sure. Price is definitely a worse person than Eduardo. But everyone knows that and doesn't want to get close to him.
In this storyline, Eduardo keeps ignoring and/or criticizing Darren:
"You don't want to go to a loud club? That's where our first date will be!"
"You want to cosplay at a children's hospital? That's boring!"
"You've never been to Fire Island before? That's crazy!"
Unflattering behavior, at least in my opinion, and Darren is still into him for some reason.
Eduardo's behavior is clearly not at the same level of bad as Price, but it's definitely not good dating behavior. I want better for Darren.
-- Thom H.
@Thom
I have to stick up for my man Eduardo he's never said darren was boring just what he likes is boring. The banter between the two from when they first met set the stage for how much they were interested in each other, Darren did go all the way to the B&B just to return a paint brush which lead Eduardo to showing Darren the picture of the housemates dressed up as the Legion, Darren even came back later on when he met Delia tell her "we're like friends, or something". Eduardo was the first person Darren told he was joining the police academy and what did Eduardo do, take him out to "EVERHARD WOODS" so as a patrolman Darren could keep an eye out because of the gay bashing that was going on unreported to the police. As for Brad, to him it was a date but for Darren it was just two guys hanging out, and after being sexually assaulted by Price you'd think Brad would have known better than kissing someone unexpectedly when they didn't ask for it and right after it happen Darren told him that him and Eduardo hand a thing but it wasn't defined and when they talked Darren admitted to Eduardo it was him he wanted to kiss not Brad.All one had to do was pay close attention to the interactions and banter between Eduardo & Darren and they would have seen the inevitable.
Let's be clear, throughout their whole courtship Darren never said he was gay, even on the beach when Eduardo tells him that he never heard Darren say he was gay Darren's response was "I like you but I need to take things slow". Eduardo should not be faulted or shamed for being young and doing things young gay men do, most of us have been there ourselves, Darren hasn't revealed a whole lot of himself to him so he's working with what he knows and i think he's done a damn good job. The attraction between the two in my opinion is very organic, I wouldn't say they're opposites that attract I see them as two people on different ends of a scale that balances the other out. This is the first POC gay couple in the strip and I can't wait to see where Greg takes them. One storyline I would love to see is Darren coming out to his aunt and Eduardo being the loving boyfriend who has his back throughout the process, only Greg knows what's in store.
@Joule:
Wow, that was a long one! LOL but I can see where you're going. I honestly feel as if other characters such as Eduardo, Rudy and others gets lost in the dust while other characters such as Brad and Price take center stage. That being said: Eduardo did not say that Darren was boring. They are at different areas in their lives, but they come together to create something that none of the couples here have: spark. The banter for me is that two people who are complete opposites and this can keep their relationship spicy and active. You can be in a great relationship if (1) one is a nerd and (2) one is more outgoing. I don't see the problem with that....Regarding Brad, he didn't learn his lesson because to him, he's too privileged to know when he has done something wrong. The fact that he just forced a kiss without there being any type of lead-up reinforces that.
The worst thing in the world is to have your gay "younghood" taken from you. Yes, Eduardo is growing up and he has shown FAR MORE GROWTH than Brad ever has. In fact, they were going to hook up at one point and Brad couldn't "ahem" perform. I never liked him with Jake! UGH. Not a match at all. Therefore, Eduardo has made serious strides! That being said: I am so glad that we finally get to see two POC gay people together and not some stymied storyline that I saw from the Hulu production of Fire Island.!
Jack
As a black gay man myself, I still would like to see a black couple; it's barely any representation of black gay couples. I'm sure I would be attacked for this, but it's my opinion. I still don't see the chemistry between them. And that "you're not gay like me" comment rubbed me the wrong way. But if people are happy with this pairing, that's good. I just hope Darren doesn't become a token character like many of the other black characters, and we don't see them for a while, or their storyline gets pushed aside.
@M.B.
I too am an African American gay man and yes, I'd like to see a black couple. I have stated this until I was blue in the face, and I have had several members here attack me because of it. I have seen my comments erased and worse, basically treated as if I was invisible because we always see a black/white couple with the white guy being seen as the "savior." However, I did not take offense at the "gay like me" comment because it was true, they ARE different, and it's not meant as a form of elitism. I am just now seeing the chemistry between the two and it's been a slow builder. I can't tell you how happy it is to speak to other POC gay people who understand what I am trying to say.
Jack
@Jack the "gay like comment" bother me only because I heard it said to me so many times like all gay are supposed to be its dame. I am happy that it's a couple that includes 2 POC, but like I said, I would like to have seen a black gay couple once in the series. I just am sometimes frustrated with how the black characters are sowhat'ses pushed to the side, like whats going on with Lance after the whole ordeal at the party? And Kristian and Matthias were just shipped out. I guess I should be happy with the small victory of Ed and Darren becoming a couple, I guess
@M.B. Yep, you are correct, Matt and Kristian (2 of the HOTTEST men there) were unexpectedly shipped out for no reason. Meanwhile, we're left with Price. I mean come on! I too am very frustrated at the lack of black history within not only this strip but the gay community at large. We (black gay men) are always on the backburner to support someone else, but heaven forbid that we have lives and interactions of our own. Lance is pretty much married to Drew at this point. This "small victory" of Ed and Darren shouldn't have to be a small victory, it should be normal, but I get your point. I wish that people realize that we, black gay men are tired of this and this is why so many gay factions fail, it's because they won't include EVERYONE and not just a select few.
Jack
@ M.B. & Jack
As a black man I agree with you that I would love to see a Black gay couple in the comic, what I don't want is a Black couple just because they're Black, we saw that when Lance and Matthias went out on a date, no chemistry at all. The best this about Edren (Eduardo & Darren) is that their relationship/coupling happened organically, it was forced and it took it's time. I applaud Greg for having Black characters considering some artist would only have one and he would be mostly a background character, I'm not saying Greg is throwing us crumbs and we should be happy, he's been inclusive from day one and to my knowledge has not portrayed and character of color in a negative stereotypical light.
Cutest Couple of the Year
@Joule
I didn't know that Lance and Matt went out on a date. But I digress. I think that the lack of chemistry between Matt and Lance is because Lance lives in a white gay world and Matt does not. This means that anything that is not white, Lance rebuffs. I agree with you about Eduardo and Darren's relationship developing as opposed to them just jumping into bed. While I do applaud Greg for incorporating black characters, I do question just how much he actually knows about black gay or POC gay culture overall, a lot of times it seems as if he knows what he hears as opposed to actual research. I do like the fact that he doesn't portray stereotypical characters for black gay men but I wonder why he never discusses gay racism in his work.
Jack
@Jack
I can't speak to Gregs experience with gay Men of Color/culture overall, I will speak to the fact they he has never presented POC in a negative or stereotypical light whether the character is Black Asian or Latino. I'm sure he's done research and has spoken with gay MOC(men of color) to write his characters as authentically as he could. I don't want people pressuring Greg when there are Black gay comic artist who's comic isn't as diverse as his, there's one I could name but I'm not who draws mainly white characters, you'd think a Black artist would draw more Black characters than he actually does. Let's put into context the area where Kyle's B&B takes place, the minority population is less than 4% so if we're to be honest the number of minorities in the comic is on par with the population in reality.
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