The CW is no stranger to representing queer heroes on TV, especially with regard to queer women. There is the same sex love story between Sara Lance and Nyssa al Ghul in the Arrow. In The 100, it gave us the much-hyped but carelessly handled relationship between bisexual protagonist Clarke Griffin and commander Lexa. And now in the season 2 of Supergirl, CW brought in Maggie Sawyer (Batwoman’s longtime girlfriend from the DC universe) as a new love interest for Alex Danvers, the adaptive sister of Supergirl. Maggie is cocky, confident, and unapologetically gay. Alex, like us, is immediately captivated by the detective.

But are Supergirl’s Sanvers (Alex Danvers and Maggie Sawyer) the queer heroes that we deserved?

To answer that, we need to examine how Alex’s character changes from meeting Maggie, as well as examine the portrayal of Maggie.

Alex’s character development:

Alex in Season 1:

We know Alex Danvers from day 1. After all, Kara Danvers, the female cousin of Superman, exposed herself as a superhero in order to save Alex. Throughout Season 1, we see Alex as the protective sister of adorable Kara Danver and a kickass DEO agent. She drinks a little too much, worries about not doing a good job in both her roles as a sister and a DEO agent, and is a little intense at times.

Alex in Season 2 – after meeting Maggie:

Now in Season 2, after her meeting with Maggie, we begin to see more of the softer side of Alex. We see her questioning her sexuality, questioning about her identity in the world. Alex might not have to deal with unsupportive family, or homophobic comments, but her struggle of being in her thirties and for the first time, recognizing that she always have had attraction toward women can be just as scary. Her demons might be minimal, and we all know puppy Kara and Mama Danvers will welcome Alex with open arms. But the scene in which Alex chose to become vulnerable and open to Kara still touches our hearts. More importantly, it shows us that it is important and never too late to be yourself and that there is a community of people out there that will support you, no matter your situation.

After Maggie and Alex officially start dating, we also get to see more of each of their characters as people. They have their sweet moments, their sad ones too. They have their arguments, and insecurities. But this is what relationships are all about. The point is, the relationship between Maggie and Alex feels authentic, and we love the show for portraying it this way!

Ultimately, Alex is still the Alex we know from Season 1, but she has changed for the better. She is more open toward others, less intense, and wears a lot more leather. And I believe, it has a lot to do with Alex accepting who she is. Giving us the Sanvers couple gives queer people characters that are not defined by their sexuality, but it is most definitely a part of who they are. And we get to see a positive healthy LGBTQ relationship flourish on TV!

Portrayal of Maggie and Alex – stereotypical?

Maggie:

Let’s compare Maggie Sawyer from the Batwoman comic and the TV portrayal.

Maggie Sawyer from the comic looks like a walking butch lesbian stereotype- short hair, sport watch, and boylish look.

Maggie Sawyer from the CW though is all wavy curl, feminine curve. And being feminine hasn’t take away from her being a bad ass, or a lesbian.

Alex:

As for Alex, Alex has always been this bossy, kickass woman, even before the idea of having Alex fall in love with a woman is conceptualized. She looks and acts the part of a special agent. Usually with a character, the writer feels the need to make them look “gayer” when they comes out. But with Alex, she looks the same as she always does. They didn’t add in any stereotypical lesbian traits just to illustrate her coming out. This adds to the authenticity of making queerness normal.

Supergirl, with the portrayal of Alex Danvers and Maggie Sawyer, has showed us that queer woman can be strong without fitting into stereotypes!

Why queer heroes in TV and comic matters:

Finally, these are some real-life examples of why queer heroes on TV matters.

[su_expand more_text=”Example 1- Mary from the comic store- SHOW MORE” less_text=”Show less” height=”100″ hide_less=”no” text_color=”#333333″ link_color=”#0088FF” link_style=”default” link_align=”left” more_icon=”” less_icon=”” class=””]

@sapphicgeek After the usual Saturday rush, a teenage girl comes in. She looks absolutely terrified and when I greet her she jumped. — ????Mary???? (@sapphicgeek) December 3, 2016

@sapphicgeek She starts going up and down the new release wall and the poor thing looks completely overwhelmed. — ????Mary???? (@sapphicgeek) December 3, 2016

@sapphicgeek So, I make my way over to her and ask if I can help her find anything. She quietly admits that she was looking for Supergirl. — ????Mary???? (@sapphicgeek) December 3, 2016

@sapphicgeek We’re walking to the Super area when I ask if she watches the show. She smiles a bit and nods. Says Alex is her favorite. — ????Mary???? (@sapphicgeek) December 3, 2016

@sapphicgeek I mention that I’m a huge #Sanvers shipper and the poor thing just breaks down in tears. — ????Mary???? (@sapphicgeek) December 3, 2016

@sapphicgeek I’m trying to figure out what the hell I did to upset her. She’s crying and I’m freaking out. — ????Mary???? (@sapphicgeek) December 3, 2016

@sapphicgeek After a minute or so, everything clicks. I’m staring down a crying baby gay. One who was having some big issues. — ????Mary???? (@sapphicgeek) December 3, 2016

@sapphicgeek I tell her that it was hard for me when I wanted to come out too. She finally stops crying and asks me if it gets easier. — ????Mary???? (@sapphicgeek) December 3, 2016

@sapphicgeek We sit at the coffee bar and talked for a while. She tells me that after seeing it all over Tumblr she binged SG. — ????Mary???? (@sapphicgeek) December 3, 2016

@sapphicgeek And when she got to Alex’s coming out arc was when things hit her. — ????Mary???? (@sapphicgeek) December 3, 2016

@sapphicgeek She tells me that she’s just wanted to kill herself for so long and that she had tried but just made herself sick. — ????Mary???? (@sapphicgeek) December 3, 2016

@sapphicgeek But as Alex’s arc continued she said she realized that she started to see that she could be happy, that she could be loved. — ????Mary???? (@sapphicgeek) December 3, 2016

@sapphicgeek She didn’t want to die anymore. For the first time, she didn’t want to die because she got to see Alex be amazing and be queer. — ????Mary???? (@sapphicgeek) December 3, 2016

@sapphicgeek She said she came to the store hoping to find something to get her through the hiatus, so she wouldn’t fall back in depression. — ????Mary???? (@sapphicgeek) December 3, 2016

@sapphicgeek She had no idea gay comic characters were a thing, but wanted to try. I tell her about Batwoman, Midnighter, and Renee Montoya. — ????Mary???? (@sapphicgeek) December 3, 2016

@sapphicgeek I pull out my starters which are Batwoman: Elegy, Midnighter, and Gotham Central. — ????Mary???? (@sapphicgeek) December 3, 2016

@sapphicgeek I also dug up a copy of the Adventures of Supergirl, just to get her through. Lol. — ????Mary???? (@sapphicgeek) December 3, 2016

@sapphicgeek She had enough cash for one and was torn on which to get. She decides on Batwoman and asks if I can hold the rest for a while. — ????Mary???? (@sapphicgeek) December 3, 2016

@sapphicgeek I was having an internal crisis at that time, because this kid was me years ago. I was barely holding off my own tears. — ????Mary???? (@sapphicgeek) December 3, 2016

@sapphicgeek I ended up buying the other 3 for her and I make her promise me that in 10 years she’ll help another queer kid. — ????Mary???? (@sapphicgeek) December 3, 2016

@sapphicgeek So, I’m out 60 bucks and I cried in the bathroom for an hour but it was damn worth it. — ????Mary???? (@sapphicgeek) December 3, 2016

Batwoman saved me years ago. I found her in 2006 and I have never stopped taking strength from her. I am here today because of that strength — ????Mary???? (@sapphicgeek) December 3, 2016

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[su_expand more_text=”Example 2- Dened on the plane show tweets- SHOW MORE” less_text=”Show less” height=”100″ hide_less=”no” text_color=”#333333″ link_color=”#0088FF” link_style=”default” link_align=”left” more_icon=”” less_icon=”” class=””]

So, yesterday on my flight to Vancouver I was watching Supergirl, more specifically, the episode where Alex comes out to Kara. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

I had headphones on but I was watching it with subtitles, which I do a lot because is hard for me to understand spoken English sometimes. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

After Kara tells Alex to go get the girl, I feel a tap on my shoulder. I pause, the guy next to me is trying to get my attention. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

Guy tells me I’m being inconsiderate & disrespectful because there are kids on that flight. I shouldn’t expose them to the “gay abomination” — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

I point out that the audio is off, but even so, there’s nothing wrong with kids being exposed to queer characters, queer heroes, on TV. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

He says it’s wrong, I tell him that many kids are already queer and that I’m sure they are happy to see their sexuality represented in TV. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

He gets upset, calls me “one of them disgusting dykes” and “a fucking n*****”. Then tells the flight attendant he must switch seats ASAP. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

@johnlees927 Oh, the way in which the minds of ignorant people work will forever be a mystery. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

I usually don’t let those things get to me, but I was already emotional for leaving my home and my family behind, so I got visibly upset. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

She asks me what’s wrong, I tell her the guy is attacking me with racial slurs and homophobic comments; the woman behind me backs me up. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

Guy outright tells the FA that he absolutely can’t stand sitting next to someone as filthy as me. Ofc, I’m livid, so are those around me. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

FA says she’ll solve the problem and leaves, then she comes back and tells me I’ve been upgraded to 1st class, free of charge. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

Guy is outraged, FA claps back, “You wanted her gone, so she is. Stop disrupting the flight or you’ll have the police waiting upon landing.” — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

I get to 1st class, I’m still livid, so I take my laptop out and keep watching Supergirl because I can, I love the show and fuck homophobia. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

After Alex & Maggie kiss, I notice the woman next to me staring at my screen so I brace to have yet another argument. Thankfully, I’m wrong. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

She asks if I like Supergirl, I tell her it’s one of my favourite shows. She tells me her daughter loves it & actually got her to watch it. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

She asks if I’m alright, I tell her no – I’m still angry – then tell her what happened. Once I’m done, she tells me Supergirl helped her. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

Cause her BFF of 35 years came out to her as a lesbian and at first, she just wouldn’t accept it. It went against her beliefs. It was wrong. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

But watching Alex Danvers’ journey with her daughter “who, mind you, I’m sure she’s a little bit gay” helped her understand her best friend. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

She told me she saw her best friend’s struggles reflected in Alex. That Alex allowed her to understand what her friend was going through. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

And basically thanks to Supergirl she got past her own prejudice and wrongful belief and now their friendship is stronger than ever. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

She also told me she joined a group for parents of LGBTQ kids cause she wants to be ready and supportive when her daughter comes out to her. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

It was a happy coincidence that I got to meet such a kind and understanding human being after experiencing a very uncomfortable situation. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

I’m happy to know that shows like Supergirl are out there, helping people be more compassionate & better informed about the LGBT community. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

I’m thankful for Alex’s journey, for Maggie’s kindness, for their positive impact and for how great @chy_leigh and @florianalima both are. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

Mostly, I’m thankful for @AliAdler and @SupergirlStaff for telling such a compelling and extraordinarily heartfelt coming out story in SG. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

Stories like the one I got to hear is why fair representation matters. It’s why LGBT fans deserve better. It’s why I want to be a TV writer. — Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) January 4, 2017

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Example 3- EmilyAnne’s Sanvers Thank You project

This touching video is put together by EmilyAnne @ladyintheTV called “The Sanvers Thank You Project.”



Authentic queer representation of the diverse LGBTQIA community is extremely important, it can show kids and adults how normal it could and should be to have queer people in our lives, and can give those who need it someone to look up to!