For 35 years, the organization called Comics Code Authority forbade publishers to feature any LGBT characters in comics out of fear of \u201ccorrupting\u201d America\u2019s youth and the traditional values of the American society.<\/p>\n
When the ban was finally lifted, comic book writers began to create more diverse characters in terms of gender and sexual preferences.<\/p>\n
In this post, we\u2019ll introduce you to some of the most inspiring and interesting LGBTQ+ superheroes that appeared in the comics from the 90\u2019s onward.<\/strong><\/p>\n Read the BioWars comic book!<\/a><\/p>\n When we started creating this list of LGBTQ+ superheroes, we took into account all of the characters that have appeared in both Marvel and DC comics over the last 30-some years.<\/p>\n Some of the superheroes featured in our roundup are high profile, while others may not be as well known to audiences. But regardless of how famous they may be, they all have one thing in common \u2013 they are all unapologetically true to themselves.<\/strong><\/p>\n These superheroes aren\u2019t afraid to be who they are, which is inspiring to see \u2014 especially for those who might struggle to accept themselves and their own sexuality.<\/p>\n Sexuality:<\/strong> Lesbian<\/p>\n Powers:<\/strong><\/p>\n Species:<\/strong> Alien<\/p>\n [Source: Marvel<\/a>]<\/p><\/div>\n Karolina lived a life of privilege up until her teenage years when she discovered her parents were part of a supervillain group<\/strong>. As if that wasn\u2019t enough to swallow, she also realized that both she and her parents are part of an alien race called the Majesdanian.<\/p>\n Learning more about her alien lineage, Karolina earned the powers to fly and manipulate light to her will<\/strong>. Taking up the name \u201cLucy in the Sky,\u201d Karolina fought alongside her friends, The Runaways, as they faced off against criminals of all different shapes and sizes.<\/p>\n After coming to terms with her powers and parents, Karolina needed to accept one more pretty significant difference \u2013 her sexuality. Identifying as a lesbian<\/strong>, Karolina worried that her teammates would reject her.<\/p>\n To her surprise, The Runways stood united, welcoming her differences instead of highlighting them<\/strong>. Karolina fights on the battlefield with her colors in full view, making sure never to hide who she really is<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Meet the characters of the BioWars universe!<\/a><\/p>\n Sexuality:<\/strong> Bisexual<\/p>\n Powers:<\/strong> Immunity to toxins<\/p>\n Species:<\/strong> Human<\/p>\n [Source: DC Comics<\/a>]<\/p><\/div>Harley Quinn\u2019s character originally started out as Joker\u2019s girlfriend. However, she proved very popular with comic book and superhero enthusiasts<\/strong>, which became obvious when she took the world by storm after the release of the Suicide Squad movie.<\/p>\n It was even during portrayals of her abusive relationship<\/a> with Joker that comic book creators hinted at a romantic involvement with Poison Ivy<\/strong>. In 2015, Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti \u2014 Harley Quinn writers \u2014 stated that Quinn and Ivy were indeed in a non-monogamous relationship.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s not forget that during Quinn\u2019s team-up stories with Wonder Woman and Power Girl, there were also numerous hints about her sexuality.<\/p>\n Harley\u2019s recent popularity makes her one of the LGBTQ+ superheroes of the highest order<\/strong>.<\/p>\n HARLEY QUINN VS DARK PHOENIX \u2014 WHO WOULD WIN? <\/a><\/p>\n Sexuality:<\/strong> Bisexual<\/p>\n Powers:<\/strong><\/p>\n Species:<\/strong> Demigoddess<\/p>\n [Source: DC Comics<\/a>]<\/p><\/div>Certainly the biggest and most topical name on this list of LGBTQ+ superheroes<\/strong> \u2014 thanks to Gal Gadot\u2019s movies portrayal \u2014 Wonder Woman<\/a>\u2019s bisexual female character<\/a> was the cause of many debates.<\/p>\n Diana of Themyscira was created by Moulton Marston, a psychologist and inventor of the lie detector test. He based Wonder Woman\u2019s character on his two partners, Olive Byrne and Elizabeth Holloway, with whom he had sort of a \u201cm\u00e9nage \u00e0 trois.\u201d<\/p>\n Wonder Woman embodies Marston\u2019s position on feminism and his deep-rooted belief that the world would be a better place if it was run by women.<\/strong><\/p>\n She became an icon carrying a torch for feminism and superhero feats, while her sexuality was at first defined as binary<\/strong>, due to her involvements with Batman and Superman.<\/p>\n That Wonder Woman was full of sapphic hints, was made clear in the past few years when her writers confirmed she was bisexual<\/a><\/strong>. There were, even before this, numerous speculations on her sexuality and love life, living in an all-female society.<\/p>\n Sexuality:<\/strong> Lesbian<\/p>\n Powers:<\/strong><\/p>\n Species:<\/strong> Human<\/p>\n [Source: DC Comics<\/a>]<\/p><\/div>DC Comic\u2019s Bat family is probably one of the richest, most unique collection of masked superheroes<\/a> and superheroines that have ever graced the pages of a comic book. Katherine Kane a.k.a. Batwoman is no exception to this rule.<\/p>\n Unlike other LGBTQ+ superheroes, after DC Comic\u2019s Infinite Crisis, Batwoman was introduced as a lesbian.<\/strong> While some characters have grander coming out stories, being gay was something that was always built into Batwoman\u2019s character.<\/p>\n A pillar of strength in the Bat family, Batwoman is a skilled detective and combatant alike. While she may have a gruff exterior that comes customary with being part of the batclan, she has shown warmer sides in her romantic relationships<\/strong> \u2014 especially with a police detective, Renee Montoya.<\/p>\n Sexuality:<\/strong> Lesbian<\/p>\n Powers:<\/strong><\/p>\n Species:<\/strong> Human<\/p>\n [Source: DC Comics<\/a>]<\/p><\/div>When Doom Patrol was taken over by Rachel Pollack<\/a> from Grant Morrison, the world of superhero comics was introduced to the first trans character<\/strong>. The writer herself is a transwoman, so this was an opportunity to shift the focus of the general public to the issues trans men and women face in society.<\/p>\n Pollack\u2019s queer trans woman character was Kate Goodwin, also known as Coagula.<\/strong> This superheroine\u2019s key ability was to dissolve solids and coagulate liquids.<\/p>\n Coagula found her home with Doom Patrol, having been rejected by the Justice League. She was killed off in one of the previous Doom Patrol volumes, but there have been expressions and hints of her coming back to life, by the writer Gerard Way.<\/p>\n Sexuality:<\/strong> Gay<\/p>\n Powers:<\/strong><\/p>\n Species:<\/strong> Human mutant<\/p>\n [Source: Marvel<\/a>]<\/p><\/div>In comics, magic can be unpredictable<\/strong>. After a long-lasting relationship with The Vision, the Avenger\u2019s Scarlet Witch unknowingly used her powers to create twin boys out of the soul fragments from the demon Mephisto.<\/p>\n Ultimately, the boys were reabsorbed into the demon. But through the magic of their mother, they were reincarnated as Billy Kaplan (Wiccan) and Thomas Shepherd (Speed).<\/p>\n Born into a middle-class family, Billy knew at an early age that he was gay. Bullied at school for his sexuality, Billy found himself at the Avenger\u2019s Manor.<\/strong><\/p>\n While they were unaware of their connection, Billy came face-to-face with Scarlet Witch, and received some crucial advice for how to handle bullying.<\/p>\n Taking his bullies head-on, Billy stood up against them, inadvertently manifesting a mystical power that showed similarities to that of Scarlet Witch<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Teaming up with the Young Avengers, Billy had originally aimed to protect others, but he was pleasantly surprised when he found love in Hulkling, another member of the Young Avengers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n With his team, Billy took up the moniker \u201cWiccan,\u201d and continues to fight against supervillains and bullies alike.<\/p>\n Want to create your own comic book? Read this guide!<\/a><\/p>\n Sexuality:<\/strong> Gay<\/p>\n Powers:<\/strong><\/p>\n Species:<\/strong> Mutant<\/p>\n [Source: Marvel<\/a>]<\/p><\/div>A mutant, Jean-Paul and his twin-sister Aurora both discovered they had superhuman abilities at an early age. Gifted with the power of flight, enhanced strength and light-manipulation, the pair joined the Canadian task force Alpha Flight.<\/p>\n Despite harsh battles and horrors he fought against as a superhero, Northstar was forever changed when he met a young girl dying from HIV\/AIDS<\/strong>. Seeing this harshness inspired Northstar to reveal to the world that he was openly gay<\/strong>.<\/p>\n From that point on, Jean-Paul left behind Alpha Flight in to pursue HIV prevention and gay rights<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Eventually, Northstar decided to don his super suit once more, becoming an active member of the X-Men in 2002. In addition to a front-line member of the team, Northstar stood as a beacon of strength for mutants and gays alike<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Recently, in a highly publicized Marvel event, Northstar married his partner, Kyle Jinadube, making him one of the first LGBTQ+ superheroes to ever be part of a homosexual marriage in comics<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Sexuality:<\/strong> Pansexual<\/p>\n Powers:<\/strong><\/p>\n Species:<\/strong> Human mutant<\/p>\n [Source: Marvel<\/a>]<\/p><\/div>The most hilarious superhero in the world<\/strong> \u2013 and the protagonist of several very successful movies \u2013 has shown inclination towards both men and women in numerous comics. Surely, nobody can forget his obvious infatuation with Spider-Man<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n A pansexual character in his own right, Deadpool was described by his creator Gerry Duggan as \u201cready to do anything with a pulse.\u201d A bit of a crude way to put it, but quite in line with his character\u2019s general quirkiness.<\/p>\n Deadpool\u2019s movie franchise has proven quite popular with audiences \u2014 queer and cis in equal measure \u2014 primarily due to the hilarious nature of the main protagonist. It remains to be seen if future installments will depict his rampant sexuality in a more flamboyant way, akin to his mannerisms.<\/strong><\/p>\n Sexuality:<\/strong> Bisexual<\/p>\n Powers:<\/strong><\/p>\n Race:<\/strong> Human mutant<\/p>\nWho Made It Onto This List Of Top 10 LGBTQ+ Superheroes?<\/h2>\n
Female Marvel LGBTQ+ Superheroes<\/h2>\n
Lucy In The Sky \u2014 The LGBTQ+ Superhero With A Troubled Past<\/h3>\n
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![\"Karolina](\"https:\/\/2023.biowars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/lgbt-superheroes-lucy-in-the-sky-1.jpg\")
Female DC Comics LGBTQ+ Superheroes<\/h2>\n
1. Harley Quinn \u2014 The High-Flying LGBT Superhero<\/h3>\n
![\"Harley](\"https:\/\/2023.biowars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/lgbt-superheroes-harley-quinn-1.jpg\")
2. Wonder Woman \u2014 The Most Controversial LGBTQ+ Superhero<\/h3>\n
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![\"Wonder](\"https:\/\/2023.biowars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/lgbt-superheroes-wonder-woman-1.jpg\")
3. Katherine Kane a.k.a. Batwoman \u2014 The Unapologetically True To Herself LGBTQ+ Superhero<\/h3>\n
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![\"Batwoman](\"https:\/\/2023.biowars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/lgbt-superheroes-batwoman-1.jpg\")
4. Kate Goodwin a.k.a. Coagula \u2014 The First Trans Superhero<\/h3>\n
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![\"Coagula](\"https:\/\/2023.biowars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/lgbt-superheroes-coagula-1.jpg\")
Male Marvel LGBTQ+ Superheroes<\/h2>\n
1. Billy Kaplan a.k.a. Wiccan \u2014 The LGBTQ+ Superhero With A Young Love Story<\/h3>\n
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![\"Wiccan](\"https:\/\/2023.biowars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/lgbt-superheroes-wiccan-1.jpg\")
2. Jean-Paul Beaubier a.k.a. Northstar \u2014 The LGBTQ+ Superhero On A Mission<\/h3>\n
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![\"Northstar](\"https:\/\/2023.biowars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/lgbt-superheroes-northstar-1.jpg\")
3. Deadpool \u2014 The Hilarious Pansexual Superhero<\/h3>\n
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![\"Dedapool](\"https:\/\/2023.biowars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/lgbt-superheroes-deadpool-1.jpg\")
4. Shatterstar \u2014 The Superhero Who Broke Barriers With The First Same-Sex Kiss In The Marvel Universe<\/h3>\n
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![\"Shatterstar](\"https:\/\/2023.biowars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/lgbt-superheroes-shatterstar-1.jpg\")
![\"Midnighter](\"https:\/\/2023.biowars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/lgbt-superheroes-midnighter-1.jpg\")