Ruby Rose is Batwoman: Celebrating the best LGBTQI superheroes

We were absolutely stoked when we heard that The CW was developing a Batwoman series featuring the first openly gay female superhero to lead a TV show, and we’re now riveted every Sunday night watching the show.

Any DC fans out there will be well aware that Kate Kane’s sexuality is a crucial part of her backstory and the fact that The CW is looking to embrace this story proves this is more than a cash in on the superhero craze. That’s why we think Ruby Rose is the absolutely perfect choice to play the titular character – a fine choice, we’re sure many of you will agree.

The genderfluid actor has garnered a significant LGBTQI following amid her breakout turn in Orange is the New Black and has the acting and fanbase credentials necessary to lead the significant comic book adaptation. Discussing the decision to cast her in the role on Instagram, Rose wrote that she was “thrilled and honored” and “an emotional wreck”.

“This is a childhood dream. This is something I would have died to have seen on TV when I was a young member of the LGBT community who never felt represented on tv and felt alone and different. Thank you everyone. Thank you god.”

Along with the rest of the world, we have the utmost faith in Rose’s ability in the role and believe The CW made a perfect choice in the actor and in the decision to make the show.

Because while the “first openly gay female superhero leading a TV show” is perhaps not a milestone we should have to be celebrating only now in 2019, it’s a feat nonetheless and adds to the number of genre shows and movies that are pushing storylines that promote diversity.

If you fell in love with Batwoman last night, take a look at all the best LGBTQI superheroes from TV shows, comic books, and films. Kapow!

Nia Nal a.k.a. Dreamer

Dreamer first appeared in DC’s Adventure Comics #317 back in 1964. A member of the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 30th and 31st centuries, the character is set to join the fourth season of The CW’s live-action Supergirl as the first ever trans superhero on TV.

So who better to portray the character than activist and actor Nicole Maines, who is transgender herself. Speaking to Variety, Nicole said: “I want fans to take away an understanding of trans people. We can be anybody, we can be who we want, we can be superheroes – because in many ways we are.”

Quite frankly, we can’t wait to see Nicole kick some serious ass when season four rolls around in October.

Karolina Dean a.k.a. Lucy in the Sky a.k.a. LSD

Actor Virginia Gardner portrayed the superhero character in Marvel’s Runaways – a show about six extraordinary teens who reunite when they discover the truth about their evil parents.

Not only does the show lead the front for gender parity by offering up the first ever female-led superhero team in a TV show, but it also promotes diversity as Karolina is Marvel’s first gay on-screen superhero with a story that the fandom found solace in for reflecting LGBTQI struggles and truths.

Speaking on her role as Karolina, Virginia said: “People think of her as this happy, perfect person. But the more you know her, the more you start to realize she’s struggling with a lot internally. Trying to accept and embrace things that, originally, I would have buried or felt insecure about was a huge thing that resonated with me.”

Alysia Yeoh

Alysia Yeoh is a fictional character created by writer Gail Simone for the ongoing Batgirl series published by DC Comics. She’s Barbara Gordon’s best mate / roomie who just so happens to be a trans woman.

In the comic books when Alysia comes out to Batgirl, she responds with a simple but earnest statement of love and acceptance. And while Alysia might not strictly have superpowers, she shows extraordinary levels of strength and kindness of her own and is one comic book character we’d love to see adapted on the big screen.

Cassandra Igarashi a.k.a. Urdr

Queer characters in comic books have had a bit of a slow burn, but there are some publishers leading the way for LGBTQI representation, The Wicked + The Divine being one of the shining examples.

Published outside of the big two by Image Comics, the series features a number of queer and trans characters including Cassandra Igarashi, or Urdr – the Asian-American transwoman who started out as a skeptical journalist before awakening as the god Urdr and discovering her abilities to reveal the truth and turn everything black & white. “On top of her journalism skills, Cassandra is quick to call out Asian fetishism,” noted CBR.

Zahid a.k.a. Inanna

While we’re on the topic of The Wicked + The Divine, Inanna is the modern genderqueer incarnation of a Sumerian goddess of love and fertility, who peacocks his non-binary identity with pride and vigor.

As Comics Alliance outlined, Inanna (whose pre-transformation name was Zahid) “flaunts his chest hair with rock star bravado, surrounded in an ethereal, fuschia-drenched glow, a trademark of his beautiful queer essence,” while promoting a message to the readers of love and acceptance, towards themselves and those around them.

Kaldur’ahm a.k.a. Aqualad

Aqualad made his first appearance in the animated TV series Young Justice (voiced by Khary Payton), before being subsequently adapted for the DC mainstream continuity, debuting under the name Jackson Hyde.

In 2016 (it took a while), Aqualad’s character was reimagined and revealed to be gay. As is suggested by his name, Aqualad’s power comes from water, as he is able to breathe underwater while also having the ability to transform liquid into weapons and other objects.

Ellie Phimister a.k.a. Negasonic Teenage Warhead

Negasonic Teenage Warhead (born Ellie Phimister) is a mutant and a member of the X-Men, who possesses the mutant ability to detonate atomic bursts from her body.

The character was portrayed by Brianna Hildebrand in the Deadpool movies, the sequel of which introduced her girlfriend, the badass mutant Yukio (Shioli Kutsuna).

Per Pink News, “The inclusion of queer superheroes in the film, even in a supporting role, has earned praise from fans and LGBT activists – who have long criticised DC and Marvel for perceived ‘straightwashing’ of characters in blockbuster films.”

America Chavez a.k.a. Ms. America

If there’s any character we’d pay good money to see on the big screen, it’s America Chavez. Not only is she a complete kickass member of the Young Avengers – holding her own with powers of flight, superhuman strength, and super speed – but she also made history as the first queer Latinx superhero in Marvel Comics. All this and she’s still in high school! Ms. America is without a doubt the superhero we all need in our lives.