The writer of Marvel’s The United States of Captain America miniseries is working against Disney’s backing of certain legislators. According to CBR, Chris Cantwell is donating his paycheck from the first issue to an LGBT nonprofit. This is the writer’s response to Disney’s continued backing of the politicians behind Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
The hateful & hurtful Parental Rights in Education Bill has passed the state senate & will soon be law. Disney financially supported every legislator behind the bill.
Today I donated all I was paid to write THE U.S. OF CAPTAIN AMERICA #1 to The Matthew Shepard Foundation. pic.twitter.com/eRu1gO4bTu
— Christopher Cantwell (@ifyoucantwell) March 8, 2022
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Cantwell took to Twitter to explain his decision. “The hateful & hurtful Parental Rights in Education Bill has passed the state senate and will soon be a law.” He continued by saying that “Disney financially supported every legislator behind the bill.” In response, he “donated all I was paid to write [issue #1] to The Matthew Shepard Foundation”.
The Matthew Shepard Foundation is an LGBTQ nonprofit. It runs education, outreach, and advocacy programs that help raise awareness for anti-violence. It is an incredible nonprofit, but especially as a counter to the recently passed legislation. The recently passed bill bans public schools from teaching about sexual orientation or gender identity. Many argue that this bill will have detrimental effects on LGBTQ+ youths.
Why Would Chris Cantwell Care So Much?
Chris Cantwell recently aided in the creation of the Marvel character Aaron Fischer. In The United States of Captain America #1, Fischer is the first LGBTQ+ Captain America. The miniseries was released last summer to honor the 80th anniversary of Captain America. However, it also coincided with last year’s Pride Month. As such, it is the perfect introduction for an LGBTQ+ Captain America.
Cantwell and Josh Trujillo wrote the first issue that introduced Fischer’s version of Captain America. Fischer is a fearless teen who picks up the shield. He uses it to protect his fellow young runaways and unhoused. The exact demographic that his bill could potentially harm.
Meanwhile, Cantwell is not the only Marvel writer opposing Disney’s support of such politicians. Jordan Blum followed Cantwell’s lead and donated his profits from Spider-Bot Infinity to the same foundation. He took to Twitter to thank Cantwell for “setting an example.” Only time will tell if more writers will follow suit.
