There aren’t many LGBTQ superheroes in films. Many Marvel fans would wish for more inclusion if they had the opportunity to greenlight the studio’s next film.
You would think with all these super serums, radioactive spiders, and super suits going around, that there would be more representation. However, the MCU is slowly making moves in the right direction.
In just a few years, we’ve witnessed the MCU diversify its content dramatically. And even more diversification is yet to come. The LGBTQ community is often last to the table, if there’s even a seat. However, it’s good to see Kevin Feige pushing for the MCU to be more inclusive.
Jordan bought Adi a Marvel Pride comic book and he was so excited to show me the page featuring a trans superhero finding her voice. I told him I was going to post a pic and he said that I have to post a pic of the gay bar too because “it’s awesome!”. REPRESENTATION MATTERS! 🏳️⚧️
Twitter: @proud_mom629
There are already characters in the MCU who are part of the LGBTQ community in the comics. For instance, Ayo from Black Panther (and most recently The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) is a lesbian in the source material.
James Gunn, who directed the Guardians of the Galaxy films, eluded to gay characters within the MCU in the past. “You know, somebody asked me will there be any gay characters in Marvel movies, and what I meant was there’s a lot of characters in the MCU and very few of them have we delved into what their sexualities are — whether it’s gay or straight or bisexual,” Gunn said.
“We don’t really know,” he continued. “So, I imagine there are probably gay characters in the Marvel Universe, you know. We just don’t know who they are yet.”
Other than the MCU characters who have yet to claim the same sexuality as their comic counterpart, there are new additions to the universe who will help color the studio’s roster.
Disney gained a few LGBTQ heroes when they acquired Fox, and Feige has made sure that new queer characters will appear in future MCU installments.
So how many queer characters are in the MCU currently? Just enough to start building something real. Below is a list of all the queer characters in the MCU so far (and a few hopeful guestimates based on their comic background).
Loki
Marvel Studios / Courtesy of Marvel Studios
Loki has been in the MCU for a long time, but his sexuality was only recently confirmed in his series. The God of Mischief is also bisexual and genderfluid in the comics.
Valkyrie
© Marvel / © Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures /Courtesy Everett Collection
Tessa Thompson has been very vocal about the bisexuality of her character, and we will see an expanded love story for Valkyrie in Thor: Love and Thunder. “First of all, as king, as new king [of Asgard], she needs to find her queen,” said Thompson. “So that will be the first order of business. She has some ideas. I’ll keep you posted.”
Sylvie
Chuck Zlotnick
Of course, Loki’s counterpart is also bisexual. In fact, it was Sylvie that brought up the conversation of sexuality in Loki, and we’re sure that we’ll see this concept explored further in her future.
Phastos
Marvel
Phastos will be the first openly gay hero in the MCU in Eternals. Played by Brian Tyree Henry, Phastos will have a husband and children.
Grieving Man
Marvel / Via Disney
Joe Russo directed Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame, but he had a cameo in the latter. Russo plays a gay man grieving in Captain America’s therapy group.
Negasonic Teenage Warhead and Yukio
Fox / Disney / Via Fox / Disney
Negasonic Teenage Warhead and Yukio are technically in the MCU now that Deadpool will be the only Fox/Marvel entity to survive the Disney merger. For now, anyway. This couple made their debut in Deadpool 2.
Deadpool
20th Century Fox Licensing/Merchandising / Everett Collection
Deadpool himself will be showing his face in the MCU really soon as well. The hilarious mercenary is pansexual, and he seems to have something going on for Colossus.
Wiccan
Disney+
Introduced in WandaVision as Billy, Wiccan is openly gay and in a relationship with Hulkling in the comics. Since their marriage was a pretty big deal, it’s likely the MCU will go the same route. Only time will tell though.
Speed
Disney+
Also introduced in WandaVision, but as Tommy, Speed is a bisexual character in the comics.
America Chavez
Disney +
So, the MCU didn’t come out and announce that America Chavez would be queer, much like her comic book counterpart. However, in Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness America is wearing a Pride pin, and we do get to see her backstory, which includes her two mothers. I’m sure we’ll get more on that in subsequent films about the multiverse.
America’s Moms
Disney +
It was cool to see the MCU stay faithful to America’s story here, with her having two moms. Although they get lost in Dr. Stange in the Multiverse of Madness, I have a feeling this storyline will be explored and eventually wrapped up in the future.
Ayo
Marvel / Disney+ / Via Disney +
While Ayo’s sexuality has never been confirmed in the MCU, her comic counterpart is a lesbian. I would love to see the MCU explore Ayo’s life further, and the Black Panther sequel is the perfect time to do so.
Korg (And His Husband)
©Walt Disney Co./courtesy Everett / Everett Collection
Yet another character who is gay in the comics, Korg’s sexuality in the MCU was only recently explored and we saw him settle down in Thor: Love and Thunder.
Jeri Hogarth
Disney +
Now that Daredevil is back in the MCU, we can include Jeri. Will the cutthroat lawyer return to the screen though? I hope so.
