Off the top of my head, DC currently has two of the biggest queer characters in mainstream comics, with both Batwoman and Green Lantern Alan Scott standing out as prominent heroes who happen to bat for the right team.
Well, they’ve now added a trans character to their impressive lineup. In the new Batgirl, #19, Alysia Yeoh — the roommate of Batgirl/Barbara Gordon — comes out as trans, making her the first openly trans character in a mainstream comic book series.
Simone attributed the inspiration for the character to a conversation she had with fellow comic book writer Greg Rucka several years ago at the Wondercon convention, after a fan asked why there were fewer gay male superheroes than lesbian ones. Rucka, who co-created (and rebooted) Batwoman as a lesbian character, replied that it would be a real sign of change for a gay male character to appear on a comic book cover — and an even bigger step for a transgender character to do the same.
Advertisement“I looked out into the audience, saw dozens of faces I knew well — LGBTQ folks, mostly — all avid comics readers and superhero fans and DC supporters,” said Simone. “And it just hit me: Why was this so impossible? Why in the world can we not do a better job of representation of not just humanity, but also our own loyal audience?” [SOURCE]
Good on DC! Just promise me one thing: don’t kill her off. I know you guys, you just fucking loooooooooooove killing off beloved characters. Just look how many dead Robins there are. You guys have a good thing in Alysia: she’s a strong trans woman, she’s not afraid to kick ass, and she has the potential for tons of really great story lines. Hopefully, you guys turn her into a superhero somewhere down the line. Just please, please, please don’t kill her off.
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