Alongside its upcoming Pride event, Overwatch 2 has officially confirmed a few more of its characters as LGBTQ+, something that strengthens representation for the gay community within the gaming industry. Many LGBTQ+ characters exist within Overwatch, so the recent revelation hasn't come as a shock to many players, as some were even suspected of being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or otherwise even before confirmation. But the latest official announcements have helped increase Overwatch 2's representation by adding Pharah and Baptiste to this list.
While Baptiste had been hinted to swing both ways through various dialogue lines, making his confirmed bisexuality just an example of Blizzard providing clarity, it was Pharah's reveal as a lesbian which has stirred the most interest. Not only was Pharah one of the original characters brought over to Overwatch 2, but the confirmation of her sexuality was made far more explicit than most other reveals. Instead of a passing reference or a brief comment made by Activision Blizzard, Pharah is direct and unabashed about her homosexuality, something which could inspire other studios to be just as forward in supporting LGBTQ+ communities.
Pharah's "Coming Out" Was Perfectly Timed
As far back as 2021, Lead Narrative Designer for Overwatch Gavin Jurgens-Fyhrie was giving non-specific answers to questions about Pharah's sexuality over Twitter, which suggests that Activision Blizzard had always intended for Pharah to be part of the LGBTQ+ community. Why this was withheld could have any number of explanations, but the recent confirmation does come at the perfect time for Overwatch 2. It ties into Overwatch 2's Pride celebrations while also implicitly pushing back against ongoing "anti-woke" attitudes that games like Dead Space and Apex Legends have experienced.
In particular, this "coming out" was perfectly executed since it not only fits within Pharah's story and characterization, but directly speaks to supporting LGBTQ+ rights. While her complicated parental relationships and military background are borderline stereotypical for a gay character, her casual approach to her sexuality, such as laughing at the thought of dating Cassidy or only second guessing whether she "passed," is emblematic of Pharah's direct and unreserved personality. Moreover, as one of Overwatch's original characters, her sexuality was therefore always present but never a defining quality and counteracts any false accusations that LGBTQ+ people are just one-dimensional and obsessed with sex or gender.
As You Are's Subtext On Identity and Change
The short story "As You Are" is also an excellent albeit brief exploration of two characters discussing their own internal identities and sense of self. On the one hand, Pharah is expressly confirmed to be someone who knows herself and what she stands for, while on the other is Baptiste, whose addition to the Overwatch team was due Cassidy offering him a chance to change despite a checkered background. At its core, the story explores one individual who knows who they are and another who is still trying to figure that out, something which parallels an all too common experience within the LGBTQ+ community.
The fact that both characters are also LGBTQ+ themselves lends strong support to this reading, with Pharah's role in the story serving as the perfect analogy to how current LGBTQ+ members try and help those like Baptiste explore their sexuality or identity. Lensed through Cassidy's own redemption and Baptiste's struggles, the story focuses on an individual's journey to find themselves, with Pharah having completed hers long ago, Cassidy now at his end, and Baptiste just beginning. Without forcing the issue or coddling Baptiste, Pharah offers a clear message of support through togetherness, acceptance, and willingness to change for the better.
Overwatch 2 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.