Tom Hiddleston's Loki confirmed as Marvel's first bisexual lead character
Hours after the third episode of "Loki" premiered on Disney+, the show's director confirmed the titular character is bisexual, making Loki the first queer lead character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In the episode, Tom Hiddleston's Loki has a conversation with Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino), an alternate-reality female version of himself, about his love interests.
"What about you? You're a prince," Sylvie says to Loki. "Must have been would-be princesses. Or perhaps another prince?"
"A bit of both," Loki responds. "I suspect the same as you."
"Loki" director Kate Herron confirmed the character's sexuality in a tweet Wednesday, adding that "it was very important to me, and my goal, to acknowledge Loki was bisexual."
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She added: "It is a part of who he is and who I am too. I know this is a small step but I’m happy, and heart is so full, to say that this is now Canon in #mcu #Loki."
The confirmation of Loki's sexuality comes amid fan criticism of Marvel's lack of representation of LGBTQ characters, despite their appearance in the Marvel comics. (Comic writers had previously indicated Loki was bisexual.)
From the moment I joined @LokiOfficial it was very important to me, and my goal, to acknowledge Loki was bisexual. It is a part of who he is and who I am too. I know this is a small step but I’m happy, and heart is so full, to say that this is now Canon in #mcu #Loki ?????? pic.twitter.com/lz3KJbewx8
— Kate Herron (@iamkateherron) June 23, 2021
The "God of Mischief" isn't the first LGBTQ character to appear in the MCU.
Valkyrie, from the 2017 film "Thor: Ragnarok," played by Tessa Thompson, was also confirmed to be bisexual.
"She’s bi," Thompson wrote in a tweet at the time. "And yes, she cares very little about what men think of her. What a joy to play!"
Marvel's upcoming film "The Eternals" will also feature the franchise's first openly gay superhero Phastos, played by Brian Tyree Henry.
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And look at that beautiful lighting ???????????? #loki https://t.co/X8EtxLvsqz
— Sophia Di Martino (@sophiadimartino) June 23, 2021
Di Martino also alluded that the use of lighting in the episode resembled the bisexual pride flag.
"And look at that beautiful lighting," she wrote, along with a screenshot of the scene between Loki and Sylvie.
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Okay but can we talk about the absolutely beautiful bi lighting in episode 3 of #Loki pic.twitter.com/jGcgiMfojl
— Kaitlyn Red Wing ?????? (@KaitlynRedWing) June 24, 2021
Fans on Twitter reacted positively to Loki's bisexuality.
"obsessed w the way the entire episode was bi lighting" wrote @nebulasloki. "not just a scene but the whole entire planet. go big or go home in true loki fashion."
obsessed w the way the entire episode was bi lighting. not just a scene but the whole entire planet ?? go big or go home in true loki fashion
— alex | loki spoilers (@nebulasloki) June 23, 2021
"Them: 'Why is it so important that we know #Loki is bi? It’s not relevant to the story!' " wrote @CodySDax. "It’s so you learn to stop having microaggressions every time a queer character is allowed to exist and even casually talk about their experiences."
"We don’t have to justify our existence," the Twitter user added.
Them: “Why is it so important that we know #Loki is bi? It’s not relevant to the story!”
It’s so you learn to stop having microaggressions every time a queer character is allowed to exist and even casually talk about their experiences.
We don’t have to justify our existence. pic.twitter.com/gIPn60CMJi— ???????Cody??????? (@CodySDax) June 23, 2021
"#loki being confirmed bisexual during pride month? so true of them," wrote @wintersloki.
#loki being confirmed bisexual during pride month? so true of them pic.twitter.com/bo3l9odOxi
— rae ? loki era (@wintersloki) June 23, 2021
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Loki confirmed as first bisexual lead character in Marvel universe