There is no doubt that comic book films have become a staple in pop culture. The superhero genre has generated a massive fan base over the years and the influence of these films has reached people from different backgrounds and communities.
Recently, Marvel and DC have slowly introduced LGBTQ characters into their films. With the recent casting of Ivory Aquino in the new “Batgirl”— slated to release later this year on HBO Max — DC has taken a monumental step by casting their first openly transgender character in a live-action film.
The Filipina American trans actress will be playing Alysia Yeoh, Batgirl's best friend and roommate. In the comics, Yeoh is openly trans and one of the few people outside the bat-family who knows Batgirl’s secret identity.
But while these studios seem to be progressing with representation of LGBTQ characters in the media, a lack of inclusivity is still present in cinema. Comic book films garner more attention than most films today, and the importance of introducing more gender diverse characters into the mainstream can have a positive impact on the LGBTQ community.
This past year, Marvel Studios has featured a small handful of LGBTQ characters on the screen. In the 2021 feature film “Eternals,” the MCU included it’s first same-sex couple played by Brian Tyree Henry and Haaz Sleiman. On the Disney+ series “Loki,” the title character played by Tom Hiddleston, revealed he is bisexual, although some fans speculate the character is actually pansexual.
“WandaVision” even introduced us to Wanda and Vision’s son Wiccan. In the comics, Wiccan is a member of the Young Avengers and is openly gay. He eventually marries his longtime partner and fellow Young Avenger, Hulkling. Their wedding becomes one of the biggest ceremonies in the MCU, with everyone from the Avengers to the Fantastic Four showing up.
A storyline of that magnitude would be silly for Marvel Studios to pass up. Its significance would have a positive impact for young adults in the LGBTQ community. It would also display Marvel’s commitment to showcasing more gender diversity through a potential Young Avengers film, a project that could be influential for a young queer fanbase.
While these representations seem prevalent, Marvel’s handling with character sexuality is still brand new. In 2017’s “Thor: Ragnarok,” Tessa Thompson played the elite Asgardian warrior Valkyrie. Although it wasn’t addressed in the film, the character was actually the MCU’s first openly queer character to be introduced on screen. In a recent interview with The Wrap, Thompson expressed that her and “Thor: Ragnarok” director Taika Waititi, wanted to delve further into the character’s bisexuality.
With Valkyrie as the new king of Asgard, it would make sense for the next installment of the franchise to expand on her sexuality by finding her a queen. Afterall, a new love story for the series would be refreshing for audiences while honoring the characters source material.
DC on the other hand, has been making strides with its representation of LGBTQ characters on its television platforms. In 2018, Nicole Maines was cast as television’s first trans superhero, Dreamer, on The CW’s“Supergirl.” The show also had Supergirl’s sister Alex Danvers, played by Chyler Leigh, come out as a lesbian in its second season.
HBO Max’s animated series “Harley Quinn” saw a romantic relationship between Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy slowly develop. The two finally confessed their love for each other in the show's season two finale.
Ruby Rose played the title character in the CW’s “Batwoman,” in the series’ first season. Rose’s character, Kate Kane, is a lesbian in the comics and the show made sure to address it in the episode, “How Queer Everything is Today!” When Rose left the show after season one, she was replaced by Javicia Leslie who took up the Batwoman mantle as Ryan Wilder. With show already addressing LGBTQ themes, Wilder was revealed to be a lesbian as well.
But for what DC has achieved in television, its representation of the LGBTQ community in film is disappointing. The 2020 film, “Birds of Prey” had every chance to be the film that would give fans the queer representation they were looking for. Unfortunately, for as entertaining the film was, it fell through in its handling of LGBTQ characters like Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) and Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez).
Although the film establishes early on Montoya’s sexuality and relationship with ex-girlfriend Ellen Yee, played by Ali Wong, little is left to explore throughout the film leaving to question, “Why even establish it to begin with?” Harley Quinn’s bisexuality is also not mentioned and given that movie focuses on her breakup with the Joker — a missed opportunity to delve into her sexuality seems like a huge disappointment for a character with a large queer following.
With the casting of Ivory Aquino in “Batgirl,” DC Studios has made a step in the right direction in representing the LGBTQ community. Aquino’s casting can help end an embarrassing troupe that has seen cisgender men portraying trans women in film. It also gives inspiration for trans actors struggling in the industry that are trying to obtain roles meant for them.
As Marvel and DC begin to introduce more characters that highlight the LGBTQ community, comic book films have the potential to be a huge alley by instilling positive representation and awareness. While these studios continue to make strides, it’s important that we as fans continue to voice the importance of the inclusion of these characters and the effect they will have on LGBTQ culture.
