The talking point is the fact this character has been well established for 50+ years. As vaillant said, it's poor storytelling. Develop a new character.
No, the character's been revised a million ways over 50 years. And every few years the writers re-examine these characters for the times in which they're NOW being written. Do you really want Bobby written as if this were still the early '60s? No. Except when it comes to his sexuality. Wonder why that is.
Cheap shot. Give it a rest.
Moot point, with Revat's clarification. But, there are certain things about people that don't change. I believe sexual orientation to be one of them. I believe gay people are aware of their orientation from the get go (can any of the gay board members chime in).
I became aware when I hit puberty. Didn't quite understand it other than that I found myself beginning to be attracted to my male classmates. Then I think it completely dawned on me that I was gay in 8th/9th grade. I honestly don't understand how someone can be in such deep denial all their life until they are well into their adult years. But then again, I've always been pretty introspective and independent-minded, and could easily skirt around the fringes of social circles without much attention given to me. I did always feel sorry for popular guys or athletes who have such a spotlight on them that they feel forced to suppress any such feelings until it blows up in their face later in life (so to speak). Someone else brought up the point that if you're already a minority (black, mutant, whatever), then you simply may not want to deal with one more knock against you in the eyes of society, so covering up your sexuality is the easier solution for many.
dane323,
Thanks for responding, I appreciate your candor.