As the superhero genre rounds off its second decade as the dominant force in Hollywood, it's time studios started seriously including some of comics' many LGBT heroes - and we have some suggestions. These aren't the crude stereotypes that The Flash, respectively. So, yes, LGBT superheroes haven't been pushed aside completely, but improvement is deserved in all facets of progression. Especially when audiences exist in all different spectrums of sexuality, it's only right. Look at how pansexual Deadpool and bisexual Valkyrie have been realized in rather vague manners.Now, here's the caveat. As exciting as it would be to see the LGBT community earning equal recognition as their heterosexual neighbors, the film industry is a business after all. If a certain product isn't driving in dollars, then audiences can't realistically expect studios to simply take the loss and shovel money into something that won't offer them any real shred of a monetary return. That being said, though, the comic industry hasn't exactly stripped them of options. In of LGBT superheroes, there are (surprisingly) plenty to choose from.
The Heavy-Hitters
In 2011, Warner Bros gave Justice League sequel, this would be a perfect opportunity for WB to introduce a modern Alan Scott into the role.
The original Green Lantern was adorned with some modern touches in 2012, where it was revealed that the character is gay. If the character is already going to make his cinematic return, the ball is in WB's court to take a chance on an honest portrayal of his character - especially given the fact that the DCEU tends to miss the mark so often on of not taking any chances.
Related: Alan Scott Was Almost In The 2011 Green Lantern Film
Aside from Green Lantern, though, other major plays in the DC universe who you may or may not know are part of the LGBT community include Harley Quinn and Catwoman. In 2016's her own animated series. As the character is bisexual, it's worth wondering whether or not her sexuality will at all play a role in any of those future projects. She, nor any other character/person, is defined by their sexuality, but given the platform to address the casual nature of her association with the LGBT community lends itself to normalize her particular identity, and by extension, the identity itself.
Catwoman is another bisexual character who just nearly got her own standalone film with Michelle Pfeiffer following Tim Burton's Gotham City Sirens (alongside Harley, no less), which could spell even bigger things.
Rounding out the heavy hitters into whom studios could easily place plenty of faith is Mystique. Jennifer Lawrence's version of the shapeshifter was nowhere near as antagonistic as she was when Rebecca Romijn had the role; she was portrayed as one of the heroes and more importantly, a main character. It would be a prime way to bring LGBT elements explicitly into the franchise that's used it as a metaphor for decades, although perhaps that's too much to ask of a film like X-Men: Dark Phoenix, which already has a lot on its plate.
Next-Gen Teams
First there was Teen Titans. Definitely aimed at a younger audience per its name, Teen Titans happens to include the young hero named Bunker. Not only is the character gay, his ability to produce psionic bricks as weapons is meant to symbolize the bricks used in protest during the Stonewall Riots in 1969.
Related: Most Powerful Teen Titans
In the Marvel corner are the Young Avengers (whose name should speak for itself). Alongside fellow teammates like Miss America and Marvel Boy are Wiccan and Hulkling, two chips off the ol' block who just so happen to be gay. Wiccan is the son of Scarlet Witch, and when he's not wielding magic against ongoing onslaughts of villains, he's maintaining a healthy relationship with fellow Young Avenger, Hulkling (take a guess as to who his parent might be). In a mainstream superhero movie targeted at a younger audience, putting this kind of relationship on display has the potential to fight the stigma of homosexuality having negative effects on budding children.
The Long Shots
It's one thing to hope for the best when it comes to greenlighting progression, but limitations will always be that irrepressible beast blocking the way. So, as encouraging as it would be to have all-encoming representation in superhero adaptations, don't bet against reality.
But let's stay hopeful. In rooting for the underdogs, there are a handful of other LGBT superheroes who could potentially pack a punch in their own movie - if not in the most expected ways. For example, now that Hugh Jackman has hung up his hat with Wolverine, there is room for a newcomer. Instead of going down a familiar route, why not approach the character from a different angle and portray as him like in the Earth-12025 universe? In this version, Wolverine goes by his birth name, James Howlett, and he's in a secret gay relationship with Hercules (though the two are eventually outed).
Now, assuming Wolverine enthusiasts refuse to get on board with this sort of change, there are other possibilities. To piggyback off of DC's dive into Arrow).
Related: Most Noteworthy LGBT Characters In Comics
Rounding out some hopefuls are Northstar, the very first openly gay superhero, Apollo and Midnighter, an openly gay couple who have literally trudged through the deepest pits of Hell for each other, and Lord Fanny, a transgender member of the Invisibles. These are definitely long shots, but assuming studios are willing to adapt to the times, maybe some of these aren't as far off as they might seem. Given the fact that the X-Men universe currently has six different projects in the works, it's clear to see that the superhero genre is by no means in the business of trimming fat, which serves to benefit these chances all the more.
