It’s happened many times that characters initially presented as LGBTQ+ have had that part of their identity downplayed or removed when adapted for film, television, or other media. This “straightwashing” alters how audiences perceive a character’s background, connections, and reasons for acting the way they do. When these altered versions become widely known, the original creative vision can be lost.
I’ve been following this really important collection of examples – it highlights characters who are explicitly LGBTQ+ in the original books, comics, or from what the creators said, but whose identities were softened or ignored when they were adapted for TV or film. Each entry clearly lays out what the original, intended identity was, details how it was changed in the adaptation – often ‘straightwashed’ – and shows where fans are passionately hoping for a more accurate and respectful portrayal. It’s heartbreaking to see, but also inspiring to see fans demand better!
Mystique
Mystique and Destiny have a deep and longstanding relationship in Marvel comics. They were partners for many years and together raised Rogue. This connection has been a consistent part of their stories for decades and is still recognized and explored in recent X-Men comics.
The ‘X-Men’ movies focused on romantic relationships between Mystique and male characters like Magneto and Beast, never showing her connection with Destiny. Many fans consider these films the most well-known depiction of the X-Men, and they hope future movies or TV shows will include Mystique’s established romantic relationship with Destiny, acknowledging her queerness.
Iceman
Bobby Drake, also known as Iceman, came out as gay in the Marvel comics, and his experiences – including dating, friendships, and being a team member – have been part of ongoing storylines. Writers have established his sexuality as a core part of who he is, but it doesn’t overshadow his other characteristics or adventures.
The ‘X-Men’ movies showed his character in relationships with both Rogue and Kitty Pryde, consistently presenting him as straight for many years. Now that new adaptations are being planned, fans often request a version that stays true to his comic book portrayal.
John Constantine
For many years, the ‘Hellblazer’ comics have portrayed Constantine as bisexual, showing him having had relationships with both men and women. This aspect of his complex past is consistently included in official character information and conversations within the stories, establishing it as a core part of who he is.
The movie ‘Constantine’ showed a straight storyline, and early TV shows were hesitant to directly state his sexuality. However, his bisexual identity was later confirmed in ‘Legends of Tomorrow,’ and fans hope any future films will continue to acknowledge this part of his character.
Jughead Jones
As a longtime comics fan, I was really excited when Archie Comics revamped Jughead and established him as asexual and aromantic. It wasn’t just a minor detail – they directly tackled the idea of romantic expectations, which was a huge moment for all-ages comics. It’s become a really important example of representation, and you still see Archie themselves talking about it in collections and interviews even now.
The TV show ‘Riverdale’ gave Jughead several girlfriends, which differed from his character in the original comics. Many viewers who first encountered Jughead through the show weren’t aware that he’s canonically asexual, and comic book fans still hope future adaptations will be more faithful to the source material.
Wonder Woman
Comics writers at DC have established that romantic relationships between Amazons are officially part of Wonder Woman’s story. This includes same-sex relationships, which are presented as a normal part of Amazonian history, both on their island home of Themyscira and in the outside world.
Recent films have primarily shown Wonder Woman’s romantic relationship with Steve Trevor, which has meant leaving out her LGBTQ+ history as depicted in the comics. Fans are hoping to see future movies acknowledge and include this part of her story.
Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy have a long-standing and important relationship in the comics. It started with subtle suggestions and has developed into a strong partnership, especially in newer stories. Many books about Harley highlight this connection as key to her development and moving on from the Joker.
The live-action Harley Quinn movies initially focused on her connection with the Joker, then shifted to her journey as an independent character, only briefly mentioning her previous relationships. Meanwhile, the animated ‘Harley Quinn’ series fully explores the romantic relationship between Harley and Poison Ivy, something movie fans are still hoping to see happen on the big screen.
Poison Ivy
For decades, Poison Ivy’s comics have established her as bisexual, and her relationships – particularly with Harley Quinn – have helped develop both of their characters. These stories show her ability to love is genuine, and not just a tool for manipulation or a joke based on her powers.
Many movies and TV shows have portrayed Harley Quinn’s attraction to men as her defining flaw, while ignoring her meaningful relationships with women. Fans often cite the animated ‘Harley Quinn’ series as a successful example of how to portray her, and they hope a live-action version will do the same.
Star-Lord
Marvel recently confirmed Peter Quill’s bisexuality and openness to relationships beyond traditional monogamy in their comics. This wasn’t a temporary storyline; it’s now considered a consistent part of his established history.
The ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ movies mainly show Star-Lord’s relationship with Gamora, but don’t explore his full backstory as a character. Because of his connection to those films, fans are eager to see future stories that are more faithful to his original comic book portrayal.
Deadpool
Deadpool is consistently portrayed as pansexual in the comics, demonstrated through his flirty behavior, attractions, and open admissions. This aspect of his character is woven into his unpredictable personality and isn’t presented as something to laugh at.
The first two ‘Deadpool’ movies primarily focused on his relationship with Vanessa, only hinting at other romantic interests. Many fans believe that, given the character’s adventurous nature in the comics, the films could more directly show his attraction to others, staying true to the source material.
Valkyrie
Comics portray Brunnhilde and the Valkyries as attracted to all genders, and stories have shown her past romantic relationships with women. These details, along with her background as an Asgardian warrior, are officially recognized in character guides and profiles.
Scenes suggesting a female love interest for Thor were reportedly cut from the movies, and later films only briefly alluded to it. While fans appreciate these small hints, they’ve consistently expressed a desire to see a full-fledged romance that aligns with her backstory in the comics.
Kitty Pryde
As a longtime fan, I was so thrilled to finally see Kitty Pryde’s bisexuality explored directly in the comics! It wasn’t just hinted at – we actually *saw* her in relationships and heard her talk about it, which felt like a really natural progression of who she is. And thankfully, it’s not like it was just a one-off thing – the writers and editors have consistently treated it as a core part of her story ever since.
Previous ‘X-Men’ films presented Kitty Pryde in a simple teenage love triangle and didn’t delve into her character beyond that. Now that new adaptations are being planned, fans are hoping to see the more complex version of her from the current comic books portrayed from the beginning.
Velma Dinkley
As a longtime fan, it’s been amazing to see Velma’s queerness finally confirmed on screen! For years, people involved with the show hinted at it, and now, in recent animated projects, we actually *see* her developing feelings for a woman. It’s not just a headcanon anymore – official materials and interviews have made it clear this has always been part of who she is, which is fantastic.
For years, Velma was often shown with male characters in older cartoons and movies, shaping how people saw her. Now that recent versions have confirmed she’s a lesbian, fans hope future movies and shows will continue to portray her that way.
Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune
Haruka Tenoh and Michiru Kaioh are depicted as a couple throughout the original ‘Sailor Moon’ anime and its associated content. This romantic relationship is central to their individual storylines, and official Japanese materials, including guidebooks and interviews, consistently confirm their status as girlfriends.
When Sailor Moon was first released outside of Japan, the dialogue and advertising were changed to make the characters seem more relatable to Western audiences. This created a different understanding of the story than what was originally intended. More recent versions, like the dubs and ‘Sailor Moon Crystal,’ have aimed to be more faithful to the original Japanese version, and fans continue to push for accuracy in all international releases.
Zoisite
The original ‘Sailor Moon’ series depicts Zoisite as a male character who has a romantic relationship with Kunzite. This pairing is shown throughout the show and was also detailed in official guidebooks, making it an important part of the series’ overall story.
When the show was first dubbed into English, the character Zoisite was changed to a female, which removed the romantic connection between Zoisite and Kunzite for many viewers. Thankfully, newer versions have fixed this, and fans are working to ensure these accurate portrayals are used in all future releases.
Lando Calrissian
Many writers and fans see Lando Calrissian as pansexual within the ‘Star Wars’ story, which makes sense given his appealing personality and relationships with people from all kinds of backgrounds. This idea has been supported by official stories and statements from those involved with the franchise.
Movies often explore romantic relationships, and even ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ hinted at one. Fans are still hoping to see these connections explicitly shown on screen, staying true to how the creators have developed the characters.
Share which characters you want to see fully restored to their canon selves in the comments.
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2025-09-21 18:46