Rainbow Shield

Rainbow Shield Gives 1st Interview!

An Exclusive by Lemy B. Mieselph, editor of Superhero Monthly

After so much time spent defending our LGBT community in silence, Rebecca Salinger, better known as Rainbow Shield, has emerged. Wearing her trademark rainbow boa, leather leotard, and combat boots, the demolisher of hate sat down with me at Hazel’s Cafe last week to discuss her life, her beginning, and her mission.

LM: Rainbow, you have always been such a mystery. Could you tell us about your beginning?

RS: Well, I’ll tell you Lemy; I was born in a small town and raised by my grandparents. I thought I was average until I was about eleven.

LM: What happened for you to know differently?

RS: I discovered girls.

LM: (laughs)

RS: Once that happened, I thought everyone was like me. That it was okay for girls to like other girls.

LM: Did something happen for you to see that wasn’t the case?

RS: Yes. I told this girl that I liked her and that I wanted her to be my girlfriend. She laughed at me.

LM: I bet that hurt.

RS: It did. But mostly, it stunned me. She laughed me and then the other kids started calling me names. I got very upset that they were picking on me for something that I couldn’t help. I got very upset and yelled at them all to stop. All of a sudden, all that were making fun of me became speechless.

LM: They were surprised you stood up to them?

RS: No, they were literally speechless. I had temporarily removed their vocal cords- completely by accident.

LM: Wow.

RS: Exactly. But I didn’t get made fun of again. I told my grandmother what had happened and asked her questions about it. All she would say is that I’d know soon enough.

LM: When did she tell you?

RS: On my 12th birthday. She came to me with a package. She said, Rebecca the time has come to bring you to your destiny. I opened the package and it held a glowing pink triangle.

LM: Do you still have it?

RS: Of course. It’s the amulet from where I get some of my superhero powers.

LM: It’s beautiful. Can you explain what it does?

RS: When a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender person is in trouble, the triangle plays “We Are Family” and flashes. I push this middle button here and am instantly transported to the source of the trouble. Sometimes it’s as simple as some hurtful words or as devastating as a gay bashing. Either way, I’m there to save the Community member.

LM: That’s awesome. What do you do?

RS: Well it really depends on the need. If someone is being picked on, I’ll silence vocal cords and arm the person being verbally attacked with combative ways to deal with the homophobia.

LM: Such as?

RS: Witty comebacks, style, grace, and bravado. I arm them to be the best gay person they can be!

LM: Now, what if it’s something more serious, such as a gay bashing?

RS: First, I melt the attackers. Then I fly the person who was being attacked or about to be attacked somewhere safe.

LM: I’m sorry, you melt the attackers?

RS: Yes. Using powerful retina rays, I melt them from head to toe. And it’s no use for them to run because my rays extend for miles. They can never get away.

LM: Wow. What do you do with them once they’re… melted?

RS: I’m very environment friendly. I scoop them up and toss them into the garbage where they should’ve been in the first place.

LM: Excellent.

RS: I also come to the rescue of those who just need a little mind reading.

LM: How’s that?

RS: It’s very difficult in the gay community to tell if someone is truly for or against us. I help with that. I will let the person know if the one in question is an honest ally. It works very well with politicians. (laughs)

LM: (laughs) I would guess so. Could you tell our readers how your powers came to be? How did Rainbow Shield become a superhero?

RS: My father was gay and my mother was a lesbian. They were great friends who wanted a child. I was conceived on Fire Island in a small strictly gay community. Well one day when my mother was pregnant with me, a mob of homophobic people came and set our community on fire. It killed my father, my mother died in childbirth yet I survived. My mom was holding my amulet when she died. Inside the amulet is ash from my mother and father. The tragedy was turned into a power for me to save others from the same fate.

LM: That’s tragic and very honorable. All superheroes have their weakness. What’s your kryptonite?

RS: A perfume called Epiphany. It’s been discontinued now but it was the perfume my first serious girlfriend, Sadie wore. She broke my heart and that perfume is the only thing that weakens my powers.

LM: Okay, we know you have an arch nemesis. Tell us about him?

RS: His name is Phelpbush. He’s evil defined. His ammo is to sway people to believe the hatred of homosexuals. He owns a bottle of Epiphany and will use it when we encounter one another to attempt to steal my amulet.

LM: Why’s that?

RS: To use it for evil. When someone calls for help, he’ll use the amulet to find them and help out the attacker to eliminate gays.

LM: That’s horrible. We’re almost out of time, Rainbow. I have one more question for you before you go. Where can we find Rainbow when she’s not saving the world from homophobia?

RS: (smiles) My non superhero side, Rebecca, owns a rescue shelter for greyhounds.

LM: A true hero, any way you look at it. Thanks for joining us and giving our readers some insight.

RS: Anytime, Lemy.

** Interview End **


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