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Valkyrie Will Be Marvel's First LGBTQ+ Superhero

It's Official: Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie Will Be Marvel's First LGBTQ+ Superhero

THOR: RAGNAROK, Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, 2017. ph: Jasin Boland/ Marvel /  Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures /Courtesy Everett Collection

Tessa Thompson is making Marvel history. While answering questions about an LGBTQ+ storyline in Thor: Love and Thunder during San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday, Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige confirmed to iO9 that Thompson's character, Valkyrie, will be the MCU's first LGBTQ+ superhero.

"The answer is yes," Feige said about Thompson's storyline. "How that impacts the story remains to be seen with that level of representation you'll see across our films, not in just Thor 4."

Thompson first hinted at Valkyrie's sexual orientation during the unveiling of Marvel's Phase Four lineup, when she commented on the status of the superhero's love life. "First of all, as new King [of Asgard], she needs to find her queen, so that will be her first order of business," the 35-year-old said. "She has some ideas. Keep you posted." Feige's confirmation came shortly after.

Valkyrie made her debut in Thor: Ragnarok in 2017, and the news about her upcoming storyline in Thor 4 is doubly exciting for many because Thompson is bisexual. Though the orientations of many MCU characters have been questioned in the past, Marvel representatives have since clarified that Valkyrie will be its first openly LGBTQ+ character.

To go along with the development of Valkyrie's story, the studio also announced that Natalie Portman has signed on to play the first female Thor. Thor: Love and Thunder will arrive in cinemas on Nov. 5, 2021.

Image Source: Marvel Studios
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