The X-Men have long been a metaphor for the struggles for social justice. As a result, they appeal to many comic book fans who find themselves marginalized in their communities. The X-Men comics have often been a safe place for queer readers, though characters haven't always reflected the multiplicity of those it purports to represent.However, artists and writers of the series have worked hard to incorporate more characters in the LGBTQIA+ community, giving modern-day readers way more queer representation. From classic X-Men to offbeat side characters, there are more and more queer mutants every day.
10 Iceman Is The Most Popular Gay X-Man
Bobby Drake is certainly the biggest name amongst queer X-Men. Debuting in 1963's X-Men #1 (written by Stan Lee and drawn by Jack Kirby), the gay X-Men was the second member to be recruited by Professor X. Boasting the ability to control water molecules, Iceman is an Omega-Level mutant and a longtime fan-favorite character.
Iceman was only recently revealed as gay in a story handled somewhat clumsily in 2014's All-New X-Men #40 (written by Brian Michael Bendis and drawn by Mahmud Asrar). Nevertheless, writers as far back as the 1980s hinted that Bobby was gay, particularly in the 1990s when Iceman struggled with his sense of identity. Today, Iceman's story inspires and excites those looking for anything from understanding their own identity to epic, ice-based colossi.
9 Mystique Is A Badass And A Bisexual
Shapeshifter Mystique is one of the most dynamic characters in comics, first fully appearing in writer Chris Claremont and artist Jim Mooney's Ms. Marvel #18 as the leader of the new Brotherhood of Mutants. Since then, she's been everything from an international terrorist and devoted wife to an X-Men and a terrible mother.
Though only recently canonized as bisexual, Mystique's queerness has long been hinted at. Her life partner/wife Destiny has been associated with her since the 1970s, while her shape-changing abilities allow her to shift into various genders at will. In fact, Mystique was originally intended to be Nightcrawler's father! Today, Mystique is one of the baddest, coolest characters in comics.
8 Deadpool Is Chaotic And Pansexual
The Merc with a Mouth is one of the most popular and chaotic characters in comics. Though not technically a mutant himself, Deadpool's antics have made him a core part of the X-Universe. He's also pansexual! First appearing in writer Fabian Nicieza and artist Rob Liefeld's New Mutants #98, Deadpool and his katanas have either teamed up with or fought nearly every character in the Marvel Universe.
Deadpool's rule-defying nature has been a core part of his identity since the beginning. Creator Fabian Nicieza has endorsed the character's pansexuality, saying that the character belongs to everyone and every sexuality.
7 Karma Is A Lesbian And A Member Of The Original New Mutants
A founding member of the New Mutants, Xi'an Coy Manh has the mutant ability to control other people's minds. After immigrating to the United States from Vietnam in writer Chris Claremont and artist Frank Miller's Marvel Team-Up #100, Karma has sought to use her abilities to protect those less powerful than her.
Karma is a lesbian, first hinted at when she met her former New Mutants teammates at Burning Man. Karma also lost a leg in a Sentinel attack that she's since replaced with a bionic one. Karma is an important figure in comics as she is one of the few queer and also disabled superheroes.
6 Northstar Is Marvel's First Gay Hero
While Iceman is certainly Marvel's most popular gay mutant, Northstar was the first. Created by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum as a member of Canadian superteam Alpha Flight, Northstar is a mutant with the powers of flight and superspeed.
Northstar came out in 1992's Alpha Flight #106 by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Mark Pancella, making him Marvel's first gay superhero. Later on, Northstar would marry his partner Kyle in writer Marjorie Liu and penciller Mike Perkins's Astonishing X-Men Volume 3 #51. While not always one of the most popular X-characters, Northstar is nevertheless one of the most groundbreaking.
5 Shatterstar Shared Marvel's First Gay Superhero Kiss
Another crucial queer Marvel character, Shatterstar, aka Gaveedra Seven, is the future son of X-Men Dazzler and Longshot. First appearing in New Mutants #99 (drawn by Rob Liefeld and co-written by Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza), Shatterstar is an expert swordsman with superhuman strength, speed, and regenerative powers, among other things.
Primarily in appearing in titles like X-Force and X-Factor, Shatterstar and his teammate Rictor were the first two mainstream male superheroes to kiss in the pages of Marvel Comics. The two then entered into a relationship that, while no longer active, is a critical part of queer representation in comics.
4 Destiny Is A Future-Seeing Lesbian
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=750&dpr=1.5)
Destiny is Irene Adler: the blind, precognitive wife of Mystique. Possessing powers to see possible futures, Destiny has long been a key player in the Marvel Universe in both life and death. Destiny has worked with Mystique to help decide the fate of mutantdom for a long time, particularly in the Brotherhood of Mutants.
While the Marvel Universe has often changed around them, Destiny and Mystique's relationship has been a staple of comics. Together, the two have survived Sentinels, the X-Men, and alternate timelines. When she was killed, Mystique worked tirelessly to return her lover to life. Despite their apparent amorality, Destiny and Mystique's relationship is an inspiring part of Marvel Comics.
3 Daken Is Wolverine's Hunky, Bisexual Son
The son of Wolverine, Daken Akhiro has used his claws, regenerative ability, and pheromone powers to become one of Marvel's most compelling antiheroes. An antagonist as well as a member of the X-Men, Daken has solved crimes with the Krakoan X-Factor, imitated his father on Norman Osborn's Dark Avengers, and even been killed by Wolverine on one occasion.
A bisexual character, Daken is often recognized for his popularity among other characters and his sex appeal. He even hooks up with a future version of Iceman. His anti-establishment attitude (as well as his seeming refusal to wear shirts) have made Daken a fan favorite.
2 Kate Pryde Has Grown Into Her Bisexuality
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=750&dpr=1.5)
Kate/Kitty Pryde is one of the quintessential X-Men characters, first appearing in writer Chris Claremont and artist John Byrne's X-Men #129 during the "Dark Phoenix Saga." A young Jewish mutant from Chicago, Kate is a character many fans have related to and grown up alongside.
Kate is also canonically bisexual, though that was confirmed only recently. However, Claremont had intended Kate's queerness from the very beginning, featuring her in tight "gal pal" friendships with characters like Rachel Summers/Phoenix and Illyana Rasputin/Magik. A long time coming, Kate's official queerness excited many fans.
1 Escapade Is A New Trans Character
While Marvel has made great strides in creating a fictional universe more representative of our own, there is still more to be done. Excitingly, a new trans character will debut in June 2022's Marvel Voices: Pride in a story written by Charlie Jane Anders and drawn by Ro Stein and Ted Brandt.
Escapade is Shela Sexton, a mutant with the ability to swap locations, powers, and abilities with other characters. Her initial story will see her come into conflict with Emma Frost and Destiny as she enters the world of Krakoa. With characters like Escapade being introduced, the X-Men will continue to grow its representation of the LGBTQ+ community in comics.