For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for March 25, 2022

and here comes Lawrence’s secret

Yep…The Big Reveal.

I have a son who was like that til his mid 30s when he got a dog and learned about love and responsibility. Next, he gets married and has a daughter.

Is gay marriage legal in Canada now?

Probably wasn’t when this strip first ran.

I believe it was legal in Canada before it was legal in the states. You can Google it.

When this was “aired” the first time it was a huge controversy but now it’s a nothing burger.

Hold onto your hats, folks… Here it comes… 28 years ago, this plotline caused a HUGE controversy and some newspapers dropped this comic… A lot of people were peeved. Lynn got a lot of hate mail. But not long after that… All the support came pouring in. Things were very different back then on this issue… Today, it’s a non-issue.

Yes, folks. Here’s when those who like to avoid the issue went nuts. My local newspaper moved it to the editorial page. I later wrote the author that it was ironic the Supreme Court later overruled Bowers vs Hardwick (1986) with Lawrence vs TX (1993). I also originally thought that Lawrence had been a misogamist like me. (I still like living alone.)

It’s almost here!!

That’s what you say now. Wait until you need a tax write off or a better benefits package.

God laughed.

And this is where a lot of papers stopped printing FBFW. Shame isn’t it, the way things were back then.

and now its time for… the talk…..

You need marriage for babies????,

And we hear deep, moody music to enhance the foreshadowing: Dum, dum, DUUUUMMMMM

I remember saying those exact words….4 times…

I had no intention of getting married – ever – until I met my wife at age 21. I liked women okay but from a distance.

To thine own self be true.

Confirmed bachelor…

Here we go—as Bette Davis said—Fasten your seat belts,it’s going to be a bumpy night!

Is Lawrence gay?

I find it appalling that so many folks who comment here find it necessary to give away what is coming without a spoiler warning. Yes, a lot of us have read all of these strips before and know exactly what to expect. That does NOT mean that everyone does. For anyone to “show off” their knowledge of what is coming just to prove how “smart” they are is ridiculous. We should all treat this strip as if it were first run, even though we know it is not. And don’t give me that baloney that new readers shouldn’t read the comments. It is not up to them to censor YOUR selfishness.

The start of my favourite story arc in FBoFW. I was in the same situation as Lawrence but was not nearly as brave as he. It took me another 10 years to have my “Lawrence Story”.

This strip was originally set in 1993. It is evident everyone knows…

Calvin “Dad, can you help me with this math problem?”

Calvin’s Dad: "Indeed I can, or my name is not…

Announcer “We interrupt this strip for a breaking news report.” Shows a Ford Bronco on the Trans-Canada Highway being pursued by several RCMP cruisers “We have just discovered Lawrence is in this vehicle. SATCOM has just picked up on the driver who is contacting police. We apologize in advance for the language, which is naturally offensive to us Canadians.”

Michael{over phone}: “My name is MP. You know who I am – gosh golly darn it!”

Announcer: “We now return you to Calvin & Hobbes, already in progress.”

Calvin: “Well Hobbes, that should settle the questions about my parents’ names!”

He will drop subtle signs like stitching rainbow flags on his lapel

Ah, the big story arc about Lawrence Poirier coming out. What was this, 25 years ago? I remember it well, because as someone actively involved in the LGBTQ community here in West Virginia, a local TV station called me and asked me if I wanted to discuss the issue in an interview. Remember, this was a time when newspapers were cancelling the strip and readers were screaming bloody murder about it. Times have changed quite a bit since then, although in recent years we seem to be going backwards a bit.

In 1993, Lynn Johnston ran a four-week story in her comic strip, For Better or For Worse, about Michael’s long-time best friend, Lawrence Poirier. Lawrence was gay, and he came out to Michael, his parents, and readers around the world (http://www.fborfw.com/features/lawrence/index.php).

Here it comes, kids… Lynn’s already made a picture of Lawrence holding an LGBT flag.

Open the closet door and let him out!

Anyone who logs onto FBorFW Strip Fix will find a category listing computer games. At the beginning of the games today is a picture of Lawrence holding a LGBT flag. and his story and interviews with knowledgeable people. If this is a “spoiler” then too bad. There will always be what some people call “spoilers” as long as this strip continues to rerun. We have already discussed what happens to members of the Patterson family in days and years to come. That’s the way it is and that’s the way it will probably remain.

Oh my gosh, this is it? I don’t remember reading it at the time, but I remember reading about the reactions they got later. This was a HUGE deal.

Remember, Lawrence can do no wrong.

Sooner or later, we’ll find out about Lawrence.

I hate to break to him, marriage isn’t a requirement to have children.

Smart man. Single life is so much better.