We recently learned that Saudi Arabia had effectively banned Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness because of a brief reference America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) makes to her "two moms" during a flashback, and since this came to light, the young actress has been targeted by online trolls.
Chavez is gay in the comics, and even though the movie doesn't actually address the character's sexuality, the fact that she has lesbian parents was clearly enough to stir up the usual swell of homophobic backlash.
Gomez was interviewed alongside Benedict Wong (Wong) for Asia One, and the 16-year-old was asked how she felt about bringing America to life and the anti LQBTQ+ comments that, unfortunately, come with the gig.
"It's a big deal that America is in this movie," replied Gomez. "It's just huge. And I'm just so happy that Marvel has stuck to it and kept the scene in there. And it's just pretty crazy that I get to be the one who plays America. Although, yes, my name may be circled within hate and stuff but it's okay."
Wong was quick to defend his costar, urging her not to accept the hate.
"It's not okay. It's not okay. We have to all collectively understand that... she auditioned aged 13 and she joined us aged 14, one of the youngest actors to join the MCU of a film of that magnitude. You know, she's just a young girl playing her role and full praise for that. So there's a real level of shame for all those trolls that are cowards not to actually put their face on, and they should feel a deep shame of what they're doing. Let's all just play nice. Let's all just enjoy... what we are representing. It's sad that fans in that country won't get to see this as yet. But all we are doing is radiating representation, voicing the voiceless. And that's all that we can do — represent people so that they can be seen."
Wong obviously has every right to be angry and frustrated, but the sad reality is, the type of people who go online to harass a teenager for playing a gay character are not the type of people who will take anything he's said here on board.
About The Author:
Mark Cassidy is a writer, photographer, amateur filmmaker, and Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic from Dublin, Ireland.