“She wasn’t just saving the world—she was saving space for all of us who ever felt too queer, too bold, or too much.” — On the power of lesbian superheroes
Why We Celebrate Lesbian Superheroes
National Superhero Day is a time to honor heroes who inspire us. But today, we spotlight the ones who do it while being loud, proud, and lesbian. Lesbian superheroes have soared through pages and screens, showing us we can be powerful and queer. They break rules, fight evil, and love women—unapologetically.
A Queer Look Back: The Rise of Lesbian Superheroes
For decades, queer women were erased from comics. The Comics Code banned LGBTQ+ content for years. But fans read between the lines. Eventually, stories started changing. Now, lesbian superhero characters are out, proud, and ready to save the world.
DC’s Legendary Lesbian Superheroines
Batwoman (Kate Kane)
Kicked out of the military for being gay, Kate Kane became Batwoman, a masked vigilante with sharp combat skills and a strong sense of justice. She’s openly lesbian, and her queerness is central in both lesbian superhero comics and TV.
Thunder (Anissa Pierce)
From Black Lightning, Anissa is a medical student and a hero. As Thunder, she’s strong, brave, and openly lesbian. Her romance with Grace Choi made her one of the most visible lesbian superheroes on TV.
Renee Montoya
A former cop who became The Question, Renee is a street-level crimefighter with a sharp mind and strong morals. She’s been proudly lesbian since Gotham Central and appears in Birds of Prey and Batwoman. A true icon in DC lesbian storytelling.
Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy
Once sidekicks and villains, now one of DC’s most iconic lesbian superhero couples. Their love story in the lesbian superhero series Harley Quinn is chaotic, sweet, and so queer.
Marvel’s Lesbian Superheroes: Power & Pride
America Chavez
Raised by two moms in another dimension, America Chavez has super strength and the power to punch through universes. She’s proudly lesbian and became a fan favorite in the lesbian superhero movie Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Karolina Dean
In Runaways, Karolina is part alien and totally sapphic. Her glowing solar powers and deep love for Nico Minoru make her one of the sweetest superhero lesbian stories on screen. She’s a highlight in lesbian superhero Marvel content.
Valkyrie
Played by queer actress Tessa Thompson, Valkyrie rules New Asgard in Thor: Love and Thunder. She’s canonically bisexual in Marvel lesbian superhero comics, and her MCU moments are full of queer hints.
Karma
As one of the first out lesbian superhero characters in Marvel, Karma has the power to possess minds. She’s part of the New Mutants and one of Marvel’s early queer icons.
Mystique
A shapeshifter, rebel, and antihero, Mystique’s love for Destiny is canon. Her sexuality, like her identity, is fluid and fearless. She’s fought for mutants and for herself—a classic in lesbian superhero books.
Sapphic Superheroes from TV and Anime
Xena: Warrior Princess
Before the mainstream caught on, Xena and Gabrielle gave us love, strength, and subtext. They fought evil, rode horses, and made history as early lesbian superheroine icons.
Sailor Uranus & Sailor Neptune
These lesbian superheroes fought side by side to protect the universe. They were censored in the U.S., but their love in the original Sailor Moon anime and manga was always clear. A beloved pair in lesbian superhero series history.
Lexa (The 100)
A fierce leader, Lexa ruled the Grounders with strength and honor. Her romance with Clarke was beautiful—and heartbreaking. Her death sparked global queer outrage and change in media treatment of lesbian superhero characters.
White Canary (Sara Lance)
Sara’s journey from assassin to time-traveling hero is legendary. As White Canary, she led Legends of Tomorrow and had major sapphic romances with Ava Sharpe and Nyssa al Ghul. A leader among lesbian superheroines.
Alex Danvers
Supergirl’s older sister and a DEO agent, Alex came out in one of the most touching arcs in any lesbian superhero series. Her strength, vulnerability, and queerness made her a fan favorite.
Love Is Super: Lesbian Superhero Couples
Some of the best stories are sapphic love stories. These couples showed us queer love is heroic:
- Karolina Dean & Nico Minoru – Runaways
- Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy – Harley Quinn
- Sara Lance & Ava Sharpe – Legends of Tomorrow
- Scandal Savage & Knockout – Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay
- Sailor Uranus & Neptune – Sailor Moon
Who Was the First Lesbian Superhero?
It depends who you ask. Maggie Sawyer (1988) was one of the first. Karma came out in the 1980s too. But Batwoman (2006) was the first lesbian superhero to lead her own mainstream series. All of them helped shape today’s queer heroes.
Top Lesbian Superhero Comics & Books
Want more sapphic stories? Start here:
- Batwoman: Elegy – A noir masterpiece
- Runaways – Queer teens vs. evil parents
- America – Bold, brash, and dimensional
- The New Mutants – Karma’s queer beginnings
- Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass – Queer rebellion
These lesbian superhero books mix action with queer identity in powerful ways.
Why Lesbian Superheroes Matter
Lesbian superhero comics, shows, and movies don’t just entertain—they empower. They tell queer people: “You belong in this story.” Whether they’re saving cities or loving boldly, these heroes help us feel seen.
Representation isn’t a bonus. It’s a necessity. Seeing lesbian superheroines in action reminds us that queer joy, strength, and resilience deserve the spotlight.
According to GLAAD’s 2023–2024 “Where We Are on TV” report, lesbian characters made up only 25% of LGBTQ representation across broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms, reflecting a visible decline in lesbian visibility year over year.
Pride in Power
This National Superhero Day, celebrate every lesbian superhero who fought villains with SAPHETTE—and invisibility. They’re icons of courage, not just for being strong, but for being true.
So, raise your cape. Put on your boots. And remember—you, too, can be a superhero.
Happy National Superhero Day, sapphic fam!
