I've always been a firm believer in the idea that representation matters. Whether it's gender, race or sexuality, people deserve to see themselves portrayed in various mediums. Over the years, the comic book world has been doing a wonderful job of doing this. One way they've been accomplishing this is by having many engaging LGBTQ heroes. Here's a few of them.
1. Northstar
Northstar is a part of the X-Men, and possesses the ability to fly, manipulate light and run at superhuman speed. But while he's out fighting crime, he's also battling the criticism he faces for his sexuality since he's Marvel’s first openly gay superhero. In addition to this, he also had the first gay marriage that was depicted in mainstream comics, making him a crucial figure in the history of representation.
2. Batwoman
While the original Batwoman was known as having been a love interest for Batman (Fun fact: She was created to dispel rumors that he was gay), the new one that debuted in 2006 is a lesbian. She was dishonorably discharged from the military because of her sexuality, and ended up using the skills that she had picked up during her training to defend Gotham.
3. Sera
Sera is a trans lesbian of color, making her mere existence extremely special. She was born into the Anchorites, a group of all-male Angels from Heven. Although she was designated as a boy at birth, she identifies as a woman. She meets Aldrif Odinson (known as Angela) and helps her slay a monster. They go on to become best friends (and eventually love interests to each other) and go on many adventures.
4. Wonder Woman
The current writer of the Wonder Woman series, Greg Rucka has confirmed that she's bisexual. Although she hasn't been involved with any women that we know of, she did grow up on Themyscira. This is an island solely inhabited by women, so it's not a stretch to think that she was romantically involved with someone before she left with Steve Trevor.
Seeing as Wonder Woman is arguably the most popular superheroine, its amazing that she's canonically bi. Hopefully, this is something the comics or movies can explore some more.
5. Iceman
Iceman is another member of the X-Men who's gay. This is revealed during a time displacement story line, when teen aged Jean Grey reads teen aged Iceman's mind and confronts him about his sexuality. This leads him to confront his older counterpart where he eventually confirms it and claims that he tried to suppress it, in order for him to feel normal.
6. John Constanine
This cynical antihero is also an extremely skilled wizard. He has a fair share of love interests that include both men and women.
7. Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy
Everyone knows Harley Quinn as being the Joker's energetic and crazy girlfriend. However, we also know that the dynamic in their relationship is very toxic, with Joker often berating and abusing her. However, she finally decided she had enough of it and breaks up with him (while beating him to a bloody pulp). It's after this that she finds her way into a much healthier relationship with Poison Ivy, a fellow villain who can manipulate plants. The writers of the Harley Quinn series Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti described them as "girlfriends without monogamy."
8. Pied Piper
Pied Piper was born deaf. Although he was able to be cured, he has an unwavering obsession with sound. He even found out a way to hypnotize people using music. He came out as gay to Flash in an unceremonious yet witty way.
9. Deadpool
That's right! Everyone's favorite Merc with a mouth is pansexual. He's open to finding love with anyone: Men, women, even aliens! He doesn't care about the specifics: If he's attracted to you, then he's attracted to you. And then he'll unabashedly pursue you. Ryan Reynolds is even hoping that they'll be able to explore this in the next movie, and wants the writers to give him a boyfriend. I guess we can only wait to see if he gets his wish!
And that concludes my list of LGBTQ superheroes and supervillains. There's so many more out there, and I'm sure many more to come. We all deserve to see ourselves represented, and hopefully comic books can continue to do that. Not just with the LGBT community, but with as many as they can.
