2000
- Matt Madden produces the graphic novel ODDS OFF (Highwater Books, June 2000), which features a gay lead character.
- Judd Winick produces the non-fiction graphic novel PEDRO AND ME: FRIENDSHIP, LOSS AND WHAT I LEARNED about his relationship with AIDS-activist Pedro Zamora (Henry Holt, September 2000) which is nominated for a Pulitzer prize and wins several other awards, including GLAAD’s Outstanding Comic Book Media Award, 2001.
- Michael Chabon’s THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER AND CLAY (Random House, September 2000), a novel set in the early days of the comics industry, features a gay lead character.
- Oscar Wilde’s play is modernized with an all-male cast in Tom Bouden’s graphic novel adaptation of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (MannerschwarmSkript Verlag, 2000).
2001
- CIRCLES, a gay anthropomorphic series scripted by Andrew “Aethan” French, is first released (RABCO, January 2001) in a zero issue, and has been followed by four issues to date.
- The three-issue mini-series USER (DC/Vertigo, beginning January 2001), written by Devin Grayson, features a lead female character who poses as a man in an online role-playing game.
- WILLOW and TARA, a lesbian couple and supporting characters from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series, first appear in the comics together in ANGEL #16 (Dark Horse, February 2001) and clearly as a couple in BUFFY, THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #32 (Dark Horse, April 2001). They have since appeared in many Buffy comics and spin-offs, including some featuring Willow and Tara as the lead characters.
- CAPTAIN KINETIC, written and self-published by zan, is previewed in an ashcan (June 2001). Two issues are published in 2002.
- In GREEN LANTERN (v.3) #137 (DC, June 2001), supporting character TERRY BERG reveals his crush on Kyle Rayner and his sexual orientation, as written by Judd Winick. Based on that storyline, GLAAD names Green Lantern its Outstanding Comic Book, 2001. The character suffers a brutal fag-bashing in #154, and in response GLAAD again names GREEN LANTERN its Outstanding Comic Book, 2002.
- CODENAME: KNOCKOUT, a tongue-in-cheek spy series with a female lead and a gay sidekick named ARRIGO “GO-GO” FIASCO, written by Robert Rodi, begins with a zero issue (DC/Vertigo, June 2001) and runs 23 more issues.
- Peter Milligan’s run on X-FORCE (Marvel) features several LGBT characters, beginning with BLOKE in #117 (June 2001), and including VIVISECTOR and PHAT.
- CALLING ALL BOYS by Eric Shanower (Hungry Tiger Press, July 2001) collects some of his short stories and sketches.
- ANAL FANTASY (MMG, September 2001) is the first gay, erotic manga translated into English for American audiences.
- PSYCHOTIX MEETS SEPARATUS by Griswold, a gay-themed graphic novel inspired by Asterix, is published (Landwaster Books, November 2001). It is followed up with Psychotix Goes to Tiberius’ Palace (Landwaster Books, December 2002).
- Colleen Coover launches SMALL FAVORS (Eros/Fantagraphics, 2001) which she calls an erotic romantic comedy about women who love each other. Eight issues and a collection have been published to date.
2002
- CAVALCADE OF BOYS! (Ten Minute Cartoons, Spring 2002), a gay romance comic, is launched by Tim Fish with Jay Laird. Seven further issues have been published.
- Michael and Justin, characters on the TV show Queer as Folk, team-up to create a super-hero comic with a gay lead, RAGE (Showtime, May 2002). A specially-made RAGE comic is included with the DVD box set for that season later sold through the network’s website.
- HOMO-HERO’S BIG BOOK OF FUN AND ADVENTURE (Green Candy Press, May 2002) by Michael Troy, an adult activity book featuring the title super-hero, is released.
- The online gay comic strip “YOUNG BOTTOMS IN LOVE,” primarily edited by Tim Fish, premieres (August 2002).
- Henry Kujawa produces a super-hero fantasy for adults — homosexual, bi-sexual, or heterosexual — with the short graphic novel STORMBOY #1: STEAL YOUR HEART AWAY (Zodiac Comics, August 2002).
- The first issue of GENUS MALE, an annual anthology of anthropomorphic gay comics is published (Sin Factory/Radio Comix, 2002), and three issues have followed.
2003
- HOW LOATHSOME, a four-issue miniseries written by Tristan Crane, featuring tales from the lives of gender outlaw Catherine Gore and her queer collection of friends and associates debuts (NBM, March 2003).
- WEIRD COMIC BOOK FANTASY, a play that posits what would happen if the Archie gang grew up to be gay written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, opens in Atlanta (April 4, 2003).
- In NIGHTWING #78 (DC, April 2003) written by Devin Grayson, police officer Dick Grayson learns that his partner, GANNON MALLOY, is gay. Dick claims to be Gannon’s boyfriend in an attempt to stop anti-gay harassment from their fellow officers.
- In a five-issue mini-series, Ron Zimmerman writes the first gay lead character in non-super-hero mass-market comics in the comedic western THE RAWHIDE KID (v. 3) (Marvel, beginning April 2003). A second Rawhide Kid mini series, “The Sensational Seven” is published starting June 2010.
- TRUE ADULT FANTASY, an erotic sketchbook collecting previously published work by Brad Rader, is released (Flaming Artist, Spring 2003).
- In an extended storyline beginning in GOTHAM CENTRAL #6 (DC, June 2003) written by Greg Rucka, Gotham City police officer RENEE MONTOYA is outed to her co-workers and family by a vengeful enemy.
- A scene in THE CROSSOVERS #7 (Crossgen, August, 2003) by Robert Rodi depicts the domestic life of gay couple WAYNE and KENT (retired superheroes Prototype and Black Velvet).
2004
- In the alternate timeline featured in Neil Gaiman’s 1602, Jean Grey poses as a boy and in the eighth and final issue (Marvel, April 2004), ANGEL admits that he believes that he was in love with her thinking she was a man.
- ANUBIS: DARK DESIRES #2 (Radio Comix, August 2004) features two erotic anthropomorphic stories featuring gay characters, “THE TOMB PLUNDERER” by Terrie Smith and “SECRETS OF ANUBIS” by Frank Gembeck Jr.
2005
- The YOUNG AVENGERS series features teenaged superheroes, including gay HULKING and WICCAN (originally Asgardian) who are a couple. (Marvel, April 2005) The book received a GLAAD Media Award for best comic book and a Harvey Award for Best New Series in 2006.
- SCANDAL SAVAGE puts off Deadshot’s advances by asking him if he knows what a lesbian is in VILLAINS UNITED #5 (DC, November 2005), written by Gail Simone. Scandal confirms her orientation when she greets her lover Knockout in the following issue.
- Though implied several times since his introduction in JLA #61 (DC, February 2002), Josiah Power‘s same-sex orientation comes closest to explicit confirmation in Manhunter #12 (DC, September 2005).
2006
- After several years of hints, TODD RICE, charter member of Infinity Inc. as Obsidian, is confirmed to be gay in MANHUNTER (v.3) #18 (DC, March 2006), written by Marc Andreyko, when Todd shows up for a date with the title character’s gay assistant Damon.
- After news of a lesbian makeover in May, BATWOMAN first appears in print 52 #7. A romantic history with former Gotham City police officer Renee Montoya is established in following appearances. (DC July 2006)
2008
- During his 2008 campaign for re-election as county commissioner of Oklahoma County, OK, Brent Rinehart produces an amateurish comic book in which he demonizes “homosexuals,” whom he terms “pedifiles” [sic]. The incumbent comes in third in the primary.
2009
- In X-FACTOR #45, writer Peter David reveals that RICTOR and SHATTERSTAR are gay and they begin a relationship. (Marvel, May 2009)
- BATWOMAN, by Greg Rucka and J H Williams III, takes over the feature slot in DETECTIVE COMICS starting with #854 and until #863. (DC June 2009)
- Martin Eden creates a comic titled SPANDEX featuring an all LGBT team of superheroes and self publishes and distributes issues. (Fall 2009) A hardcover edition collecting three issues is published by Titan Books in mid 2012.
2010
- KEVIN KELLER becomes the first openly gay character when the teen joins the Archie and his gang in Riverdale in VERONICA #202 by Dan Parent. Keller would be featured in a four part “mini series” in the VERONICA title, then headline a new KEVIN KELLER series in late 2011. (Archie Fall 2010)
2011
- The ongoing BATWOMAN series begins. (DC September 2011)
- BUNKER becomes the first gay Teen Titan in TEEN TITANS #3 (after a cameo one panel appearance in #1) by Scott Lobdell and Brett Booth. (DC November 2011)
2012
- KEVIN KELLER became the second character in comics history to have a same sex marriage when he married Clay Walker in a story that takes place in the future told in LIFE WITH ARCHIE #16 (Archie, March 2012).
- JEAN-PAUL BEAUBIER (NORTHSTAR) proposes to Kyle Jinadu in ASTONISHING X-MEN #50. Their marriage in the following issue make them the third same sex marriage in comics history. Original art for the proposal splash page is auctioned on Ebay and brings over $2,100. (Marvel, mid May 2012)
- In the wake of DC 2011 relaunch in which its the great majority of its post Crisis history was jettisoned, the reimagined GREEN LANTERN of Earth Two (Alan Scott) debuted as gay man in a relationship in EARTH TWO #2. (DC, early June 2012)