Marvel Comics has introduced the world to a plethora of superheroes and villain characters that present a range of diversity for readers and viewers. This includes several characters that represent the LGBTQ+ community. While some haven't made it to the Marvel Cinematic Universe yet, there is still plenty of representation in the comics.
Many of these Marvel superheroes have become fan favorites for readers and viewers to see themselves in. It may have taken a while for this representation to reach the comics pages and even longer to reach movie and television screens, but these characters are now serving as an inspiration.
11 Valkyrie
One of a group of elite warrior women on Asgard, Valkyrie was introduced in the Thor comics and has also appeared in several Marvel Cinematic Universe films. In the MCU, she confirmed that she had a relationship with an unnamed fellow Valkyrie soldier.
Played by openly LGBTQ+ actress Tessa Thompson, both Thompson and Taika Waititi, director of Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder, have confirmed Valkyrie is bisexual in the films; she is also bisexual in the comics. Valkyrie is currently the King of New Asgard and is said to be looking for a Queen.
10 Loki
Asgard's God of Mischief has been confirmed to be gender-fluid thanks to the Disney+ Original Series, Loki. The series introduced variants as a concept connected to the multiverse, and it was revealed that Loki has been both male and female.
It was also revealed the primary version seen in the MCU, who is male, is bisexual. Loki admitted to his Sylvie variant that he had dated both princes and princesses. He also hinted the Sylvie variant was likely the same. While Loki's villainous side has made him a less than stellar representative at times, his move in the Loki television show boosted his positive representation.
9 Kate Pryde
The former Kitty Pryde is another hero who provides positive representation of the LGBTQ+ community. Having been known for her work with the X-men and her relationship with Star-Lord, Kate Pryde accepts herself as bisexual in the Marauders comics when she kindles a fling with a female tattoo artist.
Kate Pryde also provided representation on the big screen in the X-Men films. The character was played by transgender actor Elliot Page before he announced his transition.
8 Ayo
Ayo is an openly lesbian member of the fierce female warriors that protect Wakanda, known as the Dora Milaje. Ayo can be seen on screen in Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Ayo enters a relationship with her girlfriend, Aneka, another member of the Dora Milaje.
In the comics, the pair would create the Midnight Angels. Ayo provides a strong, loyal, and fierce role model while also being a positive representative of the LGBTQ+ community.
7 Hulkling and Wiccan
Hulkling and Wiccan were introduced as an openly gay couple in the Young Avengers. The pair is in a committed relationship while working with the rest of the younger superhero team to save the day whenever needed. They eventually end up getting married. Hulkling has no connection to Hulk but uses the name because his skin is green, while Wiccan is a younger, male version of Scarlet Witch.
While Hulkling hasn't been introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe at this time, a version of Wiccan was teased in WandaVision. Wiccan was presented as one of Wanda's and Vision's twin sons inside the Hex, but his sexual orientation wasn't explored on the show.
6 Speed
Another member of the Young Avengers, Speed, is openly bisexual in the comics. He has been in relationships with both Kate Bishop and David Alleyne, better known as Prodigy. Speed, along with the previously mentioned Wiccan, are reincarnations of Wanda and Vision's twin sons in the comics.
Much like Wiccan, Speed was teased in the Disney+ series WandaVision, when Wanda and Vision had twin sons inside the Hex. While Wiccan has similar abilities to Wanda, Speed actually has similar abilities to QuickSilver, Wanda's twin brother. As of right now, there's no evidence of Wiccan or Speed being LGBTQ+ on screen, but, as mentioned, they have provided representation in the comics.
5 Phastos
One of the Eternals, Phastos, is a groundbreaking character for the LGBTQ+ community when it comes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When the Eternals separate, Phastos feels remorse for his influence that led to the atomic bombs being dropped during World War II; Phastos settles down, marries a man, and has a family.
When the Eternals are called back into action, Phastos shares a kiss with his husband before going off to save the world. It's the first same-sex kiss in a Marvel film.
4 America Chavez
America Chavez, also known as Miss America, also broke ground as she was the first Latin American LGBTQ+ Marvel superhero. In the comics, she is a college student who is trying to balance her college life with her superhero life. She is also openly lesbian in the comics.
She made her first MCU appearance in Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Marvel executives confirm the character is still a member of the LGBTQ+ community even though it wasn't addressed on screen. There was a mention of her having two mothers in the film allowing for representation of LGBTQ+ families.
3 Moondragon
While Moondragon has yet to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, she is one of the most powerful heroes in the comics. Heather Douglas and her family are attacked by Thanos. Heather survives, but her parents are killed, and her father becomes Drax the Destroyer. Moondragon grows up on Titan, where she gains telekinetic powers.
Heather Douglas is also openly lesbian in the comics. She is in a long-term relationship with Phyla-Vell. Moondragon eventually joins the Guardians of the Galaxy, so maybe she will debut in an upcoming MCU phase.
2 Phyla-Vell
Speaking of Moondragon's other half, Phyla-Vell has made an appearance in the MCU. She appears in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 as a young girl who the High Evolutionary has genetically engineered. The Guardians free her, and she joins the team.
Phyla-Vell is introduced, in the comics, as the daughter of Mar-Vell, who was introduced in the MCU as the alien who gave Captain Marvel her powers. As previously mentioned, Phyla-Vell is in a committed relationship with fellow Guardians member Moondragon.
1 Northstar
Where Phastos and America Chavez broke ground in the MCU, Northstar broke ground in the Marvel Comics universe. John Byrne introduced Northstar as the first openly gay character in Marvel Comics history. In Astonishing X-Men, he and his boyfriend had Marvel's first-ever same-sex wedding.
When he debuted in 1979, Northstar's sexuality couldn't be revealed due to the comic code of the time. But John Byrne kept dropping hints in his writing to let the readers know about Northstar and serve as inspiration and representation for others like him.