5 Superheroes You Didn’t Know Were Represented By LGBTQ+ Actors
From Batman to Superman, these open queer actors made on screen appearances as beloved superheroes.
As fighters for equality and justice in real life, these famous LGBTQ+ representatives have taken their roles outside of the mainstream world and brought their passion to the big screen as beloved superheroes.
Here are iconic queer actors who have contributed greatly to the superhero genre.
Ian McKellen as Magneto
The beloved Gandalf actor, who also portrayed Magneto in the X-Men films, revealed in his interview with BuzzFeed that he was sold the role once director Bryan Singer compared mutants to the gay community.
Wanting to portray a character that would help queer people not feel like outcasts, the parallel between the LGBTQ+ community and mutants being ostracized by society for no reason made the actor immediately sign on to the iconic role.
Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie
Tessa Thompson is as charismatic and fearless in real life as she is as a character in Thor: Ragnarök and Love and Thunder.
Like her character Valkyrie, Tessa Thompson has made no secret of her attraction to males as well as females. While Valkyrie has yet to be portrayed on screen in a romantic relationship, she is the first LGBTQ+ character to join the MCU.
Matt Bomer as Superman
Matt Bomer in American Horror Story, and films such as Doom Patrol, have greatly influenced cinematic representation through the portrayal of gay characters and open discussion of his own sexuality.
He also has become a symbol of hope for the LGBTQ+ community with his voiceover of the greatest superhero of all time, Superman, in Superman: Unbound.
Nicole Maines as Supergirl
Nicole Maines debuted in the Arrowverse in the fourth season of Supergirl as Nia, a reporter who later becomes the superhero Dreamer. She is a passionate LGBTQ+ advocate for authenticity and representation of the transgender community, making history as the first trans superhero on television.
Kevin Conroy as Batman
The late Kevin Conroy, the legendary voice of Batman from Batman: The Animated Series, publicly revealed his sexual orientation only in 2016.
Though the significance of his revelation went largely unnoticed, the release of his DC Pride 2022 story delved deeper than ever into how portraying Batman helped his personal growth, highlighting the importance of narratives that empower and educate the LGBTQ+ community.