10 Great LGBTQIA Main Or Supporting Characters In Video Games

Video Games

Mar 24

Apple Pride 2023 image — Image Source: Wallpapers Den

In recent years, such as has been the case with movies, television series, and other forms of entertainment, video games have also increasingly become more diverse. Part of that diversity has included featuring LGBTQIA+ characters in newer games, some more prominently than others. Here is a selection of ten great LGBTQIA+ main or supporting characters (in no particular order) who have been featured in video game releases in recent years.

10. Madeline - 'Celeste'

The superb (and challenging) 2-D platformer Celeste, about a young woman attempting to climb a mountain by the same name, is one of the most significant LGBTQIA+ video game main characters (and overall video game) to be introduced in recent years. Interestingly, while the character was instantly relatable to many transgender people with the game’s themes about identity, depression, anxiety, and self-worth the main character, Madeline was not presented in the game as explicitly transgender, although references such as pictures and pride flags hint at her being part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Celeste creator, Maddy Thorn (who came out as transgender after the game’s release) later confirmed Madeline as being transgender, which put this game on this list. Additionally, the game’s music composer, Lena Raine, is herself transgender, making it a transgender-created game and worthy of purchase just to support the community.

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9. Stephanie “Steph” Gingrich - 'Life Is Strange'

She is not the only queer character in the popular (Life is Strange video game series, however, is more notable because she is fun, skilled, and has baggage that is not supernatural powers. The writers also keep her from becoming a “nerdy lesbian” trope who is overly anxious about her sexuality.

8. Dorian Pavus - 'Dragon Age: Inquisition'

Not only is Dorian Pavus, a witty and skilled Dragon Age: Inquisition character, a gay man but he was written by a gay man, David Gaider, doubtless making his character seem more relatable to other gay men.

7. Parvati Holcomb - 'The Outer Worlds'

For a culture where sexuality runs rampant in all kinds of different directions, Parvati provides representation for asexual (aka “ace”) people, or people who experience little or no sexual attraction to other people, regardless of gender.

6. Ellie Williams - 'The Last Of Us 2'

While many people were unhappy with this queer character in The Last of Us 2 due to her negative and self-destructive actions that lead to a negative ending, the game proves that being a queer person does not mean that they have to be a palatable person or that they do not have the same problems and flaws as other people do. Bella Ramsey, who identifies as non-binary, is currently portraying her television series counterpart.

5. Alphys - 'Undertale'

Alphys from Undertale fan art
Image Source: Pixel Art Maker

Despite some of the dark and questionable choices she makes in Undertale (hey, people are complicated), she provides good representation for the “anxious shy bi girl” demographic that enjoys fan fiction and incessantly hounds their friends.

4. Kris - 'Deltarune'

Kris from Deltarune fan art — Kris from *Deltarune* fan art
Image Source: Reddit

There has been no agreement among fans nor confirmation from game developers or writers on whether Kris, a character featured in Undertale’s game sequel, Deltarune, is non-binary. However, Kris is referred to throughout the game in a gender-neutral manner upon which masculinity or feminity could potentially be projected onto the character because they are not meant to conform to any part of the gender binary.

3. Liara - 'Mass Effect'

Liara is a supporting alien character featured in the Mass Effect game series who is “romanceable” by characters of either gender, effectively making her bisexual. Unlike some bisexual video game characters, her sexuality is neither fetishized nor sexualized and her character is more tender and sensual in terms of her lovemaking style.

2. Sir Hammerlock - 'Borderlands'

Sir Hammerlock (left) from Borderlands 3 — Sir Hammerlock (left) from *Borderlands 3*
Image Source: Wallpapers Den

Borderlands 2 features the character of Sir Hammerlock, who is a hunter/researcher who, among other things, assigns you the task of saving the love of his life, which, in this case, just so happens to be another man. His sexuality is neither hidden nor presented as some “plot twist” in the video game.

1. Lana Beniko & Theron Shan - 'Star Wars: The Old Republic'

Lana Beniko (female with red lightsaber) & Theron Shan (male with blaster)
Image Source: Movie Web

Although the initial release of Bioware’s Star Wars: The Old Republic only offered heterosexual relationship possibilities in terms of romanceable characters, subsequent DLC expansions such as Shadow of Revan and Knights of the Fallen Empire have provided additional same-sex romanceable options for players with the addition of the characters of Lana and Theron.

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