UPDATE:

A Blizzard representative provided the following statement to IGN:

"Tracer is a lesbian on the LGBTQ+ spectrum. As in real life, having variety in our characters and their identities and backgrounds helps create a richer and deeper overall fictional universe. From the beginning, we’ve wanted the universe of Overwatch see deal Overwatch (for PC) (IGN) $12.00on Humble Bundle

Emily kisses Tracer in the Overwatch comic Reflections

Tracer and Emily join Winston for the holidays in the Overwatch comic, Reflections

Blizzard has confirmed in the latest Overwatch comic that Tracer is the game's first LGBTQ character.The Overwatch comic, Reflections, opens with Tracer lamenting about how previous years' holidays have been lonely for her, but this year "is going to be different."Tracer receives a present from a stranger who she helped after failing to buy one herself, and then comes home to a woman named Emily, who she appears to be dating. Emily opens the present — it turns out Tracer was trying to get a gift for her — and then kisses Tracer in thanks in the scene depicted below.This reveal comes after Overwatch artistic director Bill Petras confirmed at BlizzCon 2015 that Overwatch would feature gay characters, though no specific character was mentioned at the time. Blizzard's Chris Metzen added that there would be multiple LGBTQ characters in the game, so future reveals are likely still forthcoming.The comic ends with Tracer and Emily surprising a lonely Winston at the door after he lamented spending the holidays alone, with Tracer reflecting about how happy she is to be spending the holidays with her Overwatch family.Tracer is one of the most popular faces of Overwatch, frequently headlining the game's marketing. Overwatch fans have depicted Tracer as LGBTQ in fanfics and on Tumblr, with many shipping seeming nemeses Tracer and Widowmaker. IGN's Lucy O'Brien wrote extensively about how fandom has helped grow the culture of Overwatch Overwatch has had a huge 2016, and was one of IGN's Best Reviewed Games of the year. Here's a roundup of everything you need to know about the currently underway Winter Wonderland event , which ends on January 2nd.

Terri Schwartz is Entertainment Editor at IGN. Talk to her on Twitter at @Terri_Schwartz