LGBT History of Superheroes: Batwoman
Ending my official run of LGBT superheroes and supervillains this month, presenting possibly the most well-known and popular lesbian superhero Kate Kane aka Batwoman.
Focusing on her origins Post-Crisis, Katherine “Kate” Kane is the cousin of Bruce Wayne aka Batman. Kate and her sister were born to military parents and as such moved around a lot as their duties took them around the world.
Kate was out with her mum and sister for their 12th birthday when they were kidnapped by terrorists and the latter two were killed while Kate was rescued just in time. Finding a way to deal with her grief, Kate excelled at school and was eventually accepted as a cadet. Pushing further, Kate rose to the rank of Brigade Executive Officer,and earned many accolades for her hard work and dedication.
As well as excelling at the academy, Kate also started a secret relationship with a fellow cadet Sophie Moore, however when she was accused of homosexual conduct which was a court-martial offense unless she took a demotion, Kate chose to come out as lesbian and protect her secret lover. Kate was then expelled from the army under the don’t ask don’t tell policy.
Kate hit the rocks in a very downtrodden phase following her dishonorable discharge, turning to a life of self-medication and promiscuity, Kate traveled the world in an attempt to find herself. Returning to Gotham City, Kate started a brief relationship with Detective Renee Montoya until the romance came to a sudden end. Drowning her sorrows, Kate was the victim of an attempted mugging but fought off the thug herself until Batman showed up and stopped Kate from critically harming the man.
Discovering a new purpose, Kate turned to vigilantism. With her father’s support she underwent many years of intensive training and missions found by her dad to hone her skills and test her resolve. Eventually learning that while she could let her anger take control she could always stop herself from killing, she became the vigilante Batwoman.
Aside from her lesbianism, Kate’s most standout quality is the fact that when it came to designing her costume, she sewed a wig into her cowl as a means of further concealing her identity. Kate having a choppy bob style chose to sew in a long-haired wig to throw her foes off.
It is also worth noting that Kate is one of if not the only Jewish LGBT superhero in mainstream comics. While Kate doesn’t follow the kosher guidelines she is still Jewish and so has that going for her.
Batwoman’s lesbian lifestyle have been translated over into both animated film and live-action television. First appearing in the DC Universe Animated Original Movie Batman: Bad Blood where her relationship with Renee Montoya was teased, then more recently in last year’s Arrowverse crossover Elseworlds where she was portrayed by Ruby Rose who is set to go on to lead her own Batwoman TV series within the Arrowverse.
I cannot say definitely that Batwoman is the greatest LGBT comic-book character or superhero but I can say that she is definitely one of my favourites as a gay man and I do think is an inspiration to young lesbians who have had to deal with their own brand of hardships.
So what do you guys think? Is Batwoman the greatest LGBT superhero around? Post your comments and check out more LGBT History of Superheroes and Supervillains as well as other posts.
