The flyer has a list of all the genders that are allowed (essentially women, and delusional men who think they are women or any other trendy delusion, just as long as you aren't a normal man). They are saying that they want to create a safe and fun space for these people. Been going to this store for years, but they changed ownership a few years back and the people behind the register wear nametags with their pronouns. It is weird because they prominently display the lgbt stuff that doesn't sell at the front of the store, but the main comics that are sold are from their large back issue section. Also have a large manga and tabletop section.
As you would expect with comic book stores, the main customers are males so they are following the Marvel/DC model of ignoring the actual fanbase to cater to a very tiny minority. They refuse to accept that the audience who wants heavy lgbt content is small. It is a nice audience. I've been to bookstores that have a gay section but they know better than to make that the main section.
I'm really torn because I'm leaning towards going further out to buy my comic books, but they have a great back issue section and the Manga is a little cheaper than Barnes and Noble.
Really sucks because that place used to be a great gathering for typical nerdy guys to discuss comics or debate whatever nerdy thing you wanted or play D&D. I used to always have long discussions about Star Trek with the assistant manager (way before Discovery was even thought of).
Costumes, secret identities, spandex....
You jest, but Kevin Conroy, the definitive voice of Batman, channeled anger over his treatment as an outed gay man into the role. That's where he drew his inspiration for the edge he voiced when Bruce Wayne put on the mask.
The difference is that Batman: the Animated Series was about Batman-- not queerness. These days, the mask has slipped and it's all about The Message.
I didn't find out he was gay until after he was already dead.