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10 Lesbian Superheroes on TV We've Always Loved
Batwoman isn't the only lesbian caped crusader in town.
It's International Lesbian Day! Lesbians deserve to have heroes they can look up to every single day, but especially today. There are lots of real life lesbian heroes you definitely should be reading about on this most auspicious holiday, but I am here to talk about the ultimate queer fantasy: being your own superhero. While there aren't any lesbian superheroes in the DC or Marvel Movie universes (yet), there are plenty on television. There's nothing better than seeing someone who looks like you kicking ass and saving the world, and that's what these lesbians do every week on their shows.
Do lesbians get today off from work? I really hope all of you out there do, and if that's the case, why not get some boxed wine, order a kale and quinoa salad, and binge watch one of these shows with a lesbian superhero?
Batwoman
Queer model and actress Ruby Rose stars in the new CW show Batwoman where she plays maybe the biggest lesbian superhero of them all. Kate Kane is Bruce Wayne's cousin, who was discharged from the military under Don't Ask, Don't Tell. When Batman goes missing, she picks up the mantle of the bat and becomes Gotham's protector.
'Black Lightning's Anissa Pierce
Anissa (Nafessa Williams), also known as Thunder and sometimes Blackbird, is a bulletproof and super strong superhero who can make shockwaves by clapping or stomping. She's the first Black lesbian superhero on TV. On Black Lightning, she teams up with her dad, Jefferson (the titular Black Lightning), her sister Jennifer (Lightning) and her girlfriend, Grace Choi, to fight crime on the CW.
'Runaways' Karolina Dean
Our favorite teen lesbian, Karolina Dean (Virginia Gardner) and her friends -- including and girlfriend, Nico -- are on the run from their supervillain parents in this Hulu Original. Karolina grew up the daughter of a cult leader, and then found out she was half-alien, so honestly, being a lesbian is NBD.
'Jessica Jones' Jeri Hogarth
Jeri's not quite a superhero, but she is a superlawyer and has a lot of superhero friends (and enemies). Played by Carrie-Anne Moss on Netflix's Jessica Jones, she's a nearly unstoppable force, proving again and again that no one messes with a determined lesbian.
'Arrow's Nyssa al Ghul
The daughter of legendary Batman and Green Arrow villain Ras al Ghul, Nyssa is a skilled assassin and totally gay for Sarah Lance, the bisexual hearthrob who stars in both Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow. Played by Katrina Law, Nyssa is sometimes good, sometimes bad, but she's always a lesbian.
'Sense8's Nomi Marks
Sense8 is one of the most creative and unique superhero shows to come out in a long time. You might be thinking it's not even about superheroes, but it's about a team of people with extraordinary gifts who come together to fight for what's right. Those are superheroes. Nomi is one of the sensates, a group of diverse people who share a psychic connection across the globe. Nomi, played by Jamie Clayton, is a hacker and a trans woman and has a wonderful wife, Amanita (Freema Agyemon).
'Legends of Tomorrow's Ava Sharpe
Another lesbian that bisexual icon Sarah Lance dated! Ava (Jes Macallan) is a Time Bureau special agent and a clone who first joined the crew of the Waverider in Season Three of the CW show and then became a series regular by Season Four.
'Supergirl's Alex Danvers
She's not only Supergirl's big sister.She's also one of the top agents in the DEO -- the Department of Extra-Normal Operations, a secret government organization designed to moniter alien life on Earth -- and a lesbian who came out later in life. Played by Chyler Leigh, she's always there at her sister's side and always ready to fight for what's right.
'Batman: The Animated Series' Renee Montoya
The original TV lesbian superhero on this list, Renee Montoya was one of the few good cops in Gotham before becoming a crimefighter known as The Question. We're also going to see a new version of her played by Rosie Perez in the upcoming Birds of Prey movie.
'Steven Universe's Garnet
Garnet is actually two lesbians fused together, but we're going to count her as one for this list because their love is just that strong. Garnet is even-keeled, wise and a great leader, and because she's voiced by the British R&B musician Estelle, she's also a great singer. You can see more of Garnet in the upcoming Steven Universe: Future.
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Mey Rude
Mey Rude is a journalist and cultural critic who has been covering queer news for a decade. The transgender, Latina lesbian lives in Los Angeles with her fiancée.
Mey Rude is a journalist and cultural critic who has been covering queer news for a decade. The transgender, Latina lesbian lives in Los Angeles with her fiancée.