2021: The Iconic Year For LGBTQIA+ Representation In DC And Marvel Movies

It is now the 21st century where outdated stereotypes and prejudices are protested and broken by the young generations who seek peace and equality across all aspects of life. The issue of sexuality and sexual orientation is a huge part of the movement. Same-sex marriage is now gaining legality in several countries, and people are still fighting for it in every corner of the world.
Joining this historic movement, DC and Marvel, the two giants in the comic industry, have contributed to the fight by introducing queer characters that represent the LGBTQIA+ community to the stories. This plan started a few years ago, and the year 2021 witnessed the strongest development in the history of queer comic characters, which was greatly celebrated by the LGBTQIA+ community and the audience as a whole.
This historic move by DC and Marvel once again proved that anyone can become a hero, regardless of their identity.
Let's see how amazing the queer community has been represented and embraced in the comics by DC and Marvel.

#1 Superman Jonathan Kent comes out as bisexual

In the series, Superman: Son of Kal-El #5, Jon Kent - the Earth's new Superman - came out as bisexual to his family. Jon are now in a relationship with Jay Nakamura, a Daily Planet reporter. This beautiful love story between Jon and Jay is one of the highlights of the whole series.

#2 Tim Drake confirms he is a bisexual

Another DC Youth that was able to embrace his bisexuality is Tim Drake. Tim realised that his feelings for his friend Bernard were much more than just regular friendship. Bernard asked Tim out for a date in Batman: Urban Legends #6 and the two boys became a couple in #10.

#3 The first transgender Amazon, Bia

In the new series Nubia & The Amazons, a new character Bia was reborn after being killed by the "World of Man", which was an amazing moment of hers. Stephanie Williams, the author of the series, asserted on Twitter that Bia is a Black trans woman.

#4 Developments of Poison Ivy & Harley Quinn relationship

The love story of Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn have been iconic in the history of DC LGBTQIA+ community. The year 2021 witnessed immense developments in the relationship of these two lovebirds as Harley Quinn: The Animated Series: The Eat. Bang! Kill Tour explored the Harley/Ivy romance in depth.

#5 Mystique & Destiny reunited

Similar to DC, Marvel also introduced many characters as queer throughout the Pride Month dedicated series Marvel Voices: Pride #1. One of the stories is the romance between the mutants Mystique and Destiny in which the two lovebirds had been in a love relationship for a long time before the couple was made canon in 2019. Their feelings for each other is regarded to be powerful and beautiful, which was proved in X-Men's biggest event Inferno.

#6 Black Cat & Odessa Drake Kiss

The infamous thief of Marvel, Black Cat, had had a slow coming out process before finally being confirmed as bisexual in 2020. In Black Cat #1 (2021), her kiss with Odessa Drake was the first kiss of hers that has ever appeared in the comics. The love story between the two lovebirds was eventually made canon, starting another new chapter in Black Cat's romantic history.

#7 Prodigy & Speed's romance is going on stronger than ever

The two Young Avengers are currently in a love relationship for years, which was proved in Marvel Voices: Pride #1. The two lovebirds enjoyed their intimate pizza date together. This may not appear to be so romantic, but a wholesome and warm moment of the two queer boys.

#8 The resurrection of Somnus

Freshly debuted in Marvel Comics, Somnus is a young queer mutant that has the ability to get into people's dream. Unfortunately, he never got the chance to live the dream that he had always wanted - being free to express himself as a gay man. After Somnus' death, Daken, an acquaintance of his, found a way to reborn Somnus into a younger body, therefore making it possible for him to have a second chance to live as his true self.