There are Openly LGBTQ Characters Coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe & Our Queer Fears Might Be Avenged

If you’ve ever glanced at a Marvel comic book, you’d know that openly LGBTQ+ super-powered characters are (thankfully) more prevalent than the alternate universes in the Marvel fandom. While your favorite openly LGBTQ+ comic book characters might not be open about their sexual or gender identity in their cinematic universe, Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige claims that out LGBTQ+ superheroes could be on the horizon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

During an interview with The Playlist, the publication asked Feige, “When are we getting a Gay, Bi, LGBTQ, out character in the MCU? Is it even in the works?” To which, Feige responded with a simple, “Yes.”

Later in the interview Feige, said that Marvel Studios plans to introduce “both” out characters that we’ve already seen in the MCU, as well as someone we haven’t yet been introduced to.

While it’s revolutionary that the MCU is finally incorporate out characters into its on-screen productions, many fans believe this is a lackluster announcement—especially since the MCU has already introduced us to several LGBTQ+ comic book characters without bothering to incorporate their LGBTQ+ identities.

One user writes, “It only took you 10 years, I guess.”

After all, the MCU has been building its plot for the last 10 years, and it’s subsequently been accumulating several LGBTQ+ characters that haven’t had the opportunity to share their unique versions of their sexual and gender identity with viewers. (Which is important because representation can show superhero fans, who are primarily young people, that the spectrum of sexual and gender identities are completely normal.)

However, Twitterverse’s response to Feige's comments could come from the almost canonical suppression of the cinematic world’s LGBTQ+ identities. The Los Angeles Times reports that a scene where a woman walks out of Valkyrie’s bedroom was cut from the final Thor: Ragnarok production due to time constrictions.

Granted, announcing a character’s sexuality after the film has wrapped doesn’t really count as adding to that character’s story arc. While we know Valkyrie is bisexual, it’s still important that her sexual identity is portrayed as part of her character’s arc, but Thor: Ragnarok’s presentation (or lack thereof) of Valkyrie’s sexuality wasn’t the only controversial omission of a character’s on-screen sexuality. According to Screen Crush, Black Panther filmmakers inevitably cut the romance between Okoye and Ayo, which contributed to the MCU’s apparent history of LGBTQ+ erasure.

But, Ayo, Okoye and Valkyrie aren’t the only LGBTQ+ superheroes already in the MCU. The loveable pile of rocks, Korg, is gay and is from a planet of entirely male Kronan (i.e. Planet Hulk). While we have yet to meet Korg’s comic book boyfriend, Hiroim, the duo met on Sakaar. Though the events of Thor: Ragnarok don’t exactly follow the event of Korg’s escape from Sakaar, we hope that Hiroim might be one of the future-slated, openly LGBTQ+ MCU characters. (Because we ship Korg and Hiroim.)

Then, there’s Loki, who’s canonically gender fluid and bisexual in the comics, but seems more like a closeted bisexual on-screen. You know what we’re talking about: ~that~ scene in Thor: Ragnarok, where the Grandmaster winks at Loki. Thor, who's captured, looks confused as hell and is basically wondering why the Grandmaster is winking at his brother. And, Loki just looks nervous AF, while they non-verbally plead the Grandmaster not to out them. TBH, it’s eerily reminiscent of the days we were in the preverbal closet—because Loki probably hasn’t come out to Thor yet, and we can feel that same fear. (But, it’s understandable why Loki is in the closet because that family has been a message since before Hela was born, thanks to Odin.)

Though the films’ respective directors commented about these omissions of Valkeryie’s, Ayo’s and Okoye’s LGBTQ+ story arcs, subtext about a character’s sexuality or gender identity shouldn’t be considered context—especially if it doesn’t actually make it to the final production. Previously, the MCU characters’ LGBTQ+ identities have been treated as an afterthought, but Feige’s recent comments could show that we’ll finally get the LGBTQ+ MCU that we deserve.

Beyond the current LGBTQ+ characters in the MCU who could finally become the open LGBTQ+ characters they were destined to be (probably in Phase 4 and beyond, you know, after we mourn Avengers 4), we have a few clues on who might be the future openly LGBTQ+ characters of the MCU.

Feige also hinted to Heroic Hollywood that the MCU could see the Young Avengers in the near future. Seeing as Cassie Lang (i.e. Ant-Man’s daughters) is a future member of the Young Avengers (at least in the comic book realm), it seems obvious that the MCU or Marvel Television could be building up to a Young Avengers plot—which is vital for LGBTQ+ representation and especially young members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The Young Avengers basically hosts a conglomerate of LGBTQ+ superheroes, who use the Young Avengers team not only to fight crime, but also as a found family. Huckling, Wiccan, Miss America (i.e. America Chavez), and Loki make up just a few of the LGBTQ+ super-powered characters. Incorporating their LGBTQ+ identities in their (albeit hypothesized) future screen time could also give young members of the LGBTQ+ community some exemplary role models who also embody aspects of their own real-life identities.