Loving reminder that MCU!Bucky is almost entirely based in a character named Arnie Roth, a gay and Jewish man, who was likely Marvels first named openly gay character. Here are some of the many areas they overlap:
a) grew up with Steve in a vibrant centre of Jewish culture in NYC b) took up boxing and acted as Steve's protector c) took Steve on double dates as a way to hide his sexuality d) served in WWII and was reunited with Steve decades later e) was brainwashed but was saved by Steve's devotion
The creator, comic writer J.M. DeMatteis, was never compensated or credited, even though Arnie (as Bucky) is currently one of Marvel Studio's biggest draws.
While comic!Bucky's identity is absolutely fair game, MCU!Bucky being both gay and Jewish is paramount to having a complete understanding of his arc and character, as well as paramount to keeping the legacy of Arnie Roth alive.
You can make a difference, and so can your friends, in keeping this part of queer history alive and improving LGBT+ representation. The best ways to go about that are:
a) depicting MCU!Bucky as gay and Jewish in your fan works and discussions b) vocally demanding that Marvel Studios properly integrate his identity as gay and Jewish into their official canon c) discussing Arnie Roth and reading his comics and/or creating fan works about him
