From The Avengers to X-Men, Marvel serves as a home for many renowned superheroes adored by millions of fans worldwide. With a cast of characters spanning various roles and timelines, it’s not surprising that several of them belong to the LGBTQ community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer).
Previously, Marvel faced challenges in representing LGBTQ characters, but in recent years, many characters in this imaginary universe, such as Iceman, have publicly embraced their identities, shedding light on their lives in a more liberated manner. Below is a list of 9 famous Marvel characters that represent the LGBTQ community you should know about:
Deadpool
When it comes to Deadpool, one thing is for certain: regardless of gender—be it male, female, or non-binary—Deadpool will not shy away from anything. Even established characters are often left perplexed whenever discussing the true nature of this character’s sexuality. However, it was confirmed by comic writer Gerry Duggan in December 2013 that Deadpool identifies as “pansexual,” meaning he does not restrict himself to a specific gender.
Wiccan
Wiccan (William “Billy” Kaplan) first appeared in Young Avengers #1, and as a young Asgardian, he often felt isolated due to his sexuality. One day, he met Scarlet Witch from the Avengers, who encouraged him to embrace his true self. A few weeks later, Billy tragically lost his life during a conflict while seeking to harness his newfound magical abilities.
The narrative surrounding Wiccan is closely tied to his romantic relationship with another character, Hulkling, who is a fellow superhero from another planet. Together, Wiccan and Hulkling have gained recognition as one of Marvel’s most famous male same-sex couples, representing diversity and acceptance in comics.
Mystique
Mystique is another Marvel character who defies conventional gender norms. In the comics, Mystique has a romantic relationship with another character known as Destiny, though this connection is rarely explored in depth. Evidence of their relationship can be found in Marvel Fanfare #40, where Mystique disguises herself as another woman and shares intimate moments with Destiny, who is referred to as Mystique’s “lover.”
Xavin
Xavin is a Skrull character who possesses the ability to change form at will, making them one of the most unique gender-fluid characters in the Marvel universe. Initially, Xavin identified as male but later transitioned to female to marry another character who identifies as male. In the comics, this character frequently shifts between three forms: male, female, and Skrull. This fluidity is articulated by Xavin, who states, “for Skrulls, changing gender is no different than changing hair color.”
Mary Jane Watson
As Marvel comic fans know, this fictional universe consists of infinite parallel realities, the primary one being Earth-616. In another universe, known as Legacy Planet (Earth-8545), Mary Jane Watson has a superhero persona as Spider-Woman instead of the traditional Peter Parker. Interestingly, in this universe, Mary Jane is also depicted as a lesbian, romantically involved with Mariko Yashida (Sunfire from this reality). The relationship between these two characters did not end happily, as Sunfire later meets a tragic fate.
Anole
First appearing in the comic New Mutants Vol. 2, Victor Borkowski, known as Anole, is a student at Xavier’s School and a member of the younger generation of X-Men. He has the ability to camouflage himself like a chameleon, enabling him to blend into his surroundings. As one of the first openly gay male characters in the Marvel universe, Anole was initially featured in a storyline where he tried to come out but was met with hostility from family and friends. However, this storyline was modified to avoid controversy, and he has since developed a solid fan base, often contributing to X-Men narratives.
Prodigy
Another student at Xavier’s School, David Alleyne, known as Prodigy, is a character who can absorb knowledge and skills from others. He later joins the Young Avengers and is revealed to be bisexual in later comics. The Young Avengers are often seen as a home for the LGBTQ community in Marvel comics, and Prodigy has received a warm welcome in this regard.
Beast
Beast is a character known for his intelligence and physical prowess, but there is also a male version of Beast in the Marvel comic universe. In Earth-763, Henry McCoy reveals his bisexuality, engaging in a relationship with Wonder Man. Unfortunately, this relationship ends tragically when Wonder Man dies during a battle while protecting Beast.
Northstar
Northstar is perhaps the most famous openly gay superhero in the Marvel universe. As one of the first openly gay characters in mainstream comics, Northstar has garnered significant attention throughout his career advocating for LGBTQ rights. Although he was openly gay from the beginning, the specifics of his sexuality were not explicitly addressed until Marvel established its first openly gay character. In Astonishing X-Men #51, published in 2012, Northstar became the first character in comics to marry another man, Kyle Jinadu.
Source: Moviepilot
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