The DCEU has been expanding its cinematic and television line up. From releasing the Titans trailer at the San Diego Comic Con to the upcoming Birds of Prey film, the DCEU has finally started to broaden its comic-inspired horizons to include mindful representation. After the showrunners for The CW’s impending Batwoman series noted that they were looking to cast a lesbian actress to portray Batwoman, the shamelessly lesbian crime-fighter, we’ve been gaily waiting for any news about who will play Kate Kane. In a statement earlier today, The CW announced that Ruby Rose will portray Batwoman in the upcoming titular show, and we have so many (queer) feelings RN!
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Batwoman (and Ruby Rose) will make her first appearance in DCTV’s Arrowverse during the mid-season crossover event in December. But the Batwoman series is gearing up for release during the 2019-2020 season, which means the series might find its home on the DC Universe streaming service.
Aside from her vigilante endeavors, Batwoman is an out lesbian in nearly all of her comic book cameos (and titular comic runs). Her crime fighting ways have served to show DC Comic readers a healthy role model for LGBTQIA+ characters—apart from the harmful pop culture tropes that also include mental health conditions in LGBTQIA+ characters’ story arcs, which not only perpetuates stigma about mental health but also stigmatizes the LGBTQIA+ community.
Beyond her comic panels, Batwoman has bolstered the charge to fight discrimination against lesbians. Business Insider reports that in 2013 the Batwoman comic creative team quit after DC Comic annexed Batwoman’s wedding with her girlfriend, Maggie Sawyer. Batwoman’s impact extended beyond her comic series because her unabashedly sexuality showed people in the real world (in this case, the comic book team behind her series) that we can actively fight against discrimination against lesbians (which simultaneously includes oversexualizing lesbians and discriminating against women who love other women) and the entire LGBTQIA+ community. Hiring Ruby Rose to portray Batwoman, who’s a defender of LGBTQIA+ rights in and out of her comic appearances, is an exceptional step toward mindful representation.
The CW notes, “Rose is a fervent supporter of many charities, including the causes closest to her heart, such as Anti Bullying, Women and Gay Rights, Animal Welfare and Youth Mental Health. Rose was most recently awarded with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the 2016 GLAAD Media Awards, which is presented to an LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality and acceptance.” Naturally, Rose is an exemplary actor to portray Batwoman. Like Batwoman, Rose is a vehement supporter of the LGBTQIA+ rights as well as a mindful mental health advocate.
Showing Batwoman’s audience that Kate Kane is also portrayed by a lesbian who supports the entire community assures viewers that an important part of Kane’s identity—her sexuality—won’t be erased or diminished in the upcoming production. Granted, we don’t know how much input Rose will have on the production, but we’re pretty sure that she’ll be vocal about showcasing Batwoman’s sexuality in a way that represents the lesbian community is a positive, non-fetishizing light. While Rose can be perceived as a defender of the LGBTQIA+ community in her own right, it’s even more noteworthy that Batwoman will be portrayed by a gender fluid actress.
You might already know Rose from her days on Orange Is the New Black or the upcoming book-turned-film, The Meg (which, btw, comes out later this week on August 10). However, Rose gained popularity after her self-produced short film, Break Free, which illustrated her definition of her gender fluid identity.
Since her short film, Rose has talked about her gender fluid identity to various publications, such as Teen Vogue. Along with her gender fluid identity, Rose uses the she/her pronouns which is important because non-binary women and similar identities exist. Because Rose is open about her gender identity and her sexual identity, her involvement in Batwoman can show viewers that they can have a healthy relationship with every aspect of their identities, too.
It’s critical that a gender fluid person portray Batwoman as well. While she isn’t gender fluid in the comics, Rose’s gender fluid identity can continue to debunk the traditional, and often hackneyed, definition of femininity and masculinity. This will help show that Kate Kane is so much more than her womanhood, or what others might perceive as typical feminine characteristics, which is particularly critical in comic-related media—because women in refrigerators is still a prevalent trope in comic books.
The CW’s impending Batwoman series focuses on Batwoman’s transition to becoming a full-fledged superhero. Although Batwoman’s television debut is a critical moment in television history, Batwoman isn’t the first-ever out lesbian superhero. Black Lightning‘s Thunder, i.e. Anissa Pierce, is the first lesbian superhero to grace our televisions. However, Kate Kane’s on-screen milestone is still monumental because Ruby Rose is the first out lesbian to portray a lesbian superhero. Hopefully, the DCEU and other superpowered entertainment companies (side-eyeing you, Marvel) can take the hint from Batwoman and continue (or start) to celebrate representation in a respectful manner.