Sorry, Veronica: Riverside High’s New Hunk is Gay

According to The Huffington Post, there will be a new student joining Archie and the gang at Riverdale High this fall. Archie’s new rival for Veronica’s affection is muscular, blond, . . . and gay.

Archie Comics recently announced that in the Sept. 1 issue, the long-running comic will introduce its first “openly gay” character, Kevin Keller. Defying effeminate stereotypes, Kevin will defeat Jughead in a burger eating contest, win the affection of Veronica and wrestle over how to gently rebuff her flirtations.

Jon Goldwater, co-CEO of Archie Comics, says the introduction of Kevin is “about keeping the world of Archie Comics current and inclusive.”

Keller’s arrival in Riverdale makes me wonder how well the stories we tell — to our peers, our children, our employees, ourselves — reflect the diversity of our surroundings. What kinds of characters would make your stories and your organization’s stories richer and more real? How could telling those kinds of stories lead to something new and profitable?

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