Kevin Feige Responds to Backlash Over MCU's First Gay Character in 'Avengers: Endgame'

Avengers: Endgame has been dominating the headlines since even before its release on April 26. But the attention hasn't only stemmed because it's the final Avengers movie, but also because it is the first Marvel Cinematic Universe film to include an openly gay character.

In the film, the nameless character, played by director Joe Russo, is in a grief support group with Captain America discussing a recent date with another man.

The MCU received some mild praise for the inclusion of a gay character, but most fans were disappointed that the franchise’s first LGBTQ+ character was a nameless bystander.

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has responded to the backlash, explaining on a call with Mashable, “It was just meant as a small step, to say and attest, to not have to be made a big deal about it, to have Steve Rogers, this noble hero, not even blink an eye at it, when he’s dealing with this grieving man and this grieving support group.”

Many are now criticizing Feige’s statement, because though this character wasn’t “meant” to be the big, historical gay character reveal that the LGBTQ+ fans have been waiting for, it actually was.

Feige continued, "It was not meant to be showcased as the first, put on a pedestal as the first...We are doing that soon, in a way that is meant to do that, and I'm sure we'll get scrutiny in various ways. But it's important."

Until fans actually see what MCU means by a “showcased” LGBTQ+ character reveal, they will likely be critical of these very minor steps towards visibility, and rightfully so.