10 LGBTQIA+ Superheroes from Marvel and DC Comics

Marvel and DC Comics are full of a varied number of characters. There are so many things that set them apart from each other, while also so many things that bring them together. The comics have always found a way to be inclusive with their story-telling. Let us look at 10 LGBTQIA+ Superheroes from Marvel and DC Comics

America Chavez (Lesbian)

America Chavez is a superhero belonging to the universe of the Marvel Comics. Chavez was created by Joe Casey and Nick Dragotta and made her very first appearance in the comic ‘Vengeance #1’ in 2011. Chavez originates from a place known as the Utopian Parallel. She has been a part of many teams over the years, including Young Avengers and the Ultimates. She is also known as Miss America and made her first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the film ‘Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness’ (2022).

America Chavez is canonically a lesbian. She declares that she does not feel any attraction toward boys in the comic ‘Young Avengers #15’ and has had a few storylines exploring her romance with girls. 

Karolina Dean (Lesbian)

Karolina Dean is a part of the Runaways and as such made her first appearance in the comic ‘Runaways #1’ in July 2003. As the daughter of the members of the organisation ‘The Pride’, Karolina becomes suspicious of her parents and begins searching through their home. Karolina soon discovers she is not human, but an extraterrestrial species by the name of ‘Majesdenian’. The character was created by Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona in collaboration. For some time, she was also known by her alias Lucy in the Sky (L.S.D.), due to her powers which allow her to become bioluminescent. The character of Karolina Dean was played by actress Virginia Gardner in the Hulu show, ‘The Runways’ set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

Karolina is a canon lesbian, though her journey towards acceptance is a little complicated. Karolina harbours some insecurities and has a nervous demeanour, which makes it difficult for her to come to terms with her sexuality. She first comes out as a lesbian to her close friend, Nico Minoru, and attempts to begin a romantic relationship with her. Nico, however, rejects these advances. Though, gradually, through support from her friends and self-acceptance, Karolina becomes very comfortable with her sexuality and even pursues a relationship with her fellow Runaway, Nico. 

Deadpool (Pansexual)

Deadpool is possible the most well-liked character in all of Marvel Comics. His witty, sarcastic, fourth-wall-breaking personality makes for a refreshing change of pace. The ‘Merc with a Mouth’ made his first appearance in the Marvel comics in 1990, in the comic ‘New Mutants #98’. The character was created by Fabian Nicieza and Rob Leifeld. 

The Deadpool writer Gerry Dugan has stated that Wade Wilson would be considered a pansexual, as he experiences attraction regardless of a person’s gender. Though, his sexuality has not been alluded to in the films with much clarity, actor Ryan Reynolds, who plays Wade Wilson on-screen, wants to portray the character’s pansexuality in the movies. 

Loki (Bisexual)

Loki is the Norse God of Mischief and even in the Marvel Comics universe, this title is well-earned. Originally a Frost Giant, born on the planet of Jotunheim, Loki was adopted by Odin when he was just a baby. Loki’s first appearance took place in the comic ‘Venus #6’ in May, 1949 and also in another storyline during the comic ‘Journey into Mystery #85’ in 1962. The creators of Loki are Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, himself.

One of the most popular characters with a major fan following on the internet, Loki is bisexual and also genderfluid. The writer of the comic ‘Loki: Agent of Asgard’, Al Ewing confirmed this and promised an exploration of his sexuality in this comic. Even the recent release of the Disney+ series, ‘Loki’ (2021), has hinted at Loki’s bisexuality, possibly bringing that into the canon world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as well. 

Yelena Belova (Asexual)

Yelena Belova was trained at the special-ops academy, Red Room, just like Natasha Romanoff, also known as the Black Widow. Belova’s focus during her time there was to become the best Black Widow the academy had seen, and she was willing to put quite some effort into achieving this goal. The character of Yelena Belova was created by Devin Grayson and J. G. Jones in 1999 and made her first comic appearance in ‘Inhumans (Vol 2) #5’. Belova recently also made her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in the film ‘Black Widow’ (2021). 

The writer, Devin Grayson stated in an interview, that “Yelena is more likely to identify as asexual”. While there has been no explicit mention of Yelena’s asexuality, allusions to it have been made in the comics. 

Wiccan (Gay)

Wiccan (Billy Caplan) is a character from the Marvel Comics created by Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung. The first appearance of this character was back in 2005, in the comic ‘Young Avengers #3’. Billy, as a child is bullied in school, but one day meets the Scarlet Witch, who encourages him to stand up to his bullies. When he decides to finally stand up to the bully in defence of another kid, he shows magical powers. With time, he adopts the identity of Wiccan and also eventually becomes a part of the Young Avengers. 

Wiccan was originally not planned to be gay, as the creator did not think Marvel would allow him to write a male love interest for a male character.  However, ultimately, Wiccan’s sexual identity was confirmed as gay, and he is even married to a man, Hulkling.

Batwoman (Lesbian)

Katherine Kane is better-known for her alias of ‘Batwoman’. Kane is a cousin of Bruce Wayne and an incredibly significant part of the Batman Family. She was created by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid, Keith Giffen and Ken Lashly. Kane’s first comic appearance, which ultimately means Batwoman’s first comic appearance was in ‘Batwoman Vol 2 #1’ in 2011. Kate had her fair share of grief to deal with when she lost her mother when she was young. Kane’s methods of dealing with the grief to a destructive turn, until one day she watched Batman fight off criminals which inspired her to take on the mantle of Batwoman and change her life. 

Kate Kane is a canonical lesbian, and while at the West Point Academy, she even chose to come out as a lesbian in order to protect the other closest cadets, as they might face dangerous consequences. Kate was expelled from the Academy as a result, though it did not phase her. She has had multiple romances with women during the different storylines of the DC Comics. 

Kid Quick (Non-Binary)

Kid Quick is the alias of Jess Chambers, who uses the special formula and is able to access the speed force. Jesse Quick, the Flash from Earth 11 is their aunt and she uses the same formula to access the Speed Force as well. Jess Chambers is a part of the team of young superheroes known as ‘Teen Justice’ and first appeared in the comic ‘DC’s Very Merry Multiverse #1’ in 2021. The creators of this superhero are Ivan Cohen and Eleonora Carlini. 

Jesse canonically identifies as non-binary. The creator of the character, Ivan Cohen in an interview with them said that the idea for Kid Quick came to him when he began to think about the inherent queerness of the setting of the alternate universe, Earth 11, where the traditionally male characters become female and vice versa, hence a superhero who has a non-gendered name would open up the opportunity to explore a non-binary identity, which Cohen, along with co-creator Carlini set out to do with Kid Quick.

Sera (Transwoman)

Sera, also known as The Hunter Queen, is a character from the Marvel Comics, created by Kieron Gillen, Marguerite Bennett and Phil Jimenez. The comic ‘Angela: Asgard’s Assassin #1’ which came out in December 2014, marked her first appearance in the Marvel Universe. Sera as an Anchorite, a rare race of wingless male angels, was enslaved, locked in a temple and taught magic, immediately after birth. She was rescued from this temple by the Leader of the Hunt, Angela after Sera helped her kill a monster that was attacking the temple. Sera has the ability to practice spells and magic.

Sera is a transgender woman. In return for her help in killing the beast, Sera asks Angela to rescue her from the temple and find a way to change her form from male to female, Angela complies and Sera goes on to live with her. 

Kitty Pryde (Bisexual)

Kitty Pryde is a superhero from the Marvel Comics belonging to the group X-Men. Pryde is a mutant and her powers allow her to phase through things, making her body intangible. Her first appearance was in the comic, ‘Uncanny X-Men #129’ in 1980. The creators of this character are Chris Claremont and John Byrne. 

Kitty became a part of the X-Men after being recruited by Professor Charles Xavier and went on many adventures with them. Kitty’s sexuality has always been speculated upon, as the homoerotic subtext revolving around her was impossible for fans to not notice. Her relationship with Rachel Summers was full of subtext. Kitty Pryde’s bisexuality was finally confirmed in 2020, in the comic, ‘Marauders #2’.

Also Read: Importance Of Diary Writing Or Keeping A Journal – 10 Reasons