Libraries are an epicenter of communities and create a safe space for everyone. Within Aurora Public Library, there are a variety of materials that represent communities throughout the world. Readers connect with those communities and may learn about them through the materials they consume. 

While Pride Month and Disability Pride month highlight many characters in all media there are always characters who slip through the cracks or may surprise readers to know are part of the LGBTQ+ community. In comic books, where the universe is always changing, characters change with it. 

Here are some awesome comic book characters to check out that you may not have known were part of the LGBTQ+ community, and the volumes you may find them featured in at Aurora Public Libraries. 

Bobby Drake (Iceman) from the X-Men was first revealed to be gay in “All New X-Men #40.” Bobby struggles with his identity of being gay following this reveal. You can learn more about Bobby in the library catalog:

• “Extraordinary X-men 1, X-Haven"
• "X-Men. 2: blue. Toil and trouble”
• “Venom & X-Men: poison-x”
• ”All-new X-Men. 02: Here to stay”
• “All-new X-Men. 04: all-different”

Loki is both gender fluid and bisexual in Marvel comics. While Loki has had several different iterations throughout the years, the most recent Loki acknowledges their fluidity between genders.You can learn more about Loki in the library catalog:

• “Loki: where mischief lies”
• “Thor. 03: war's end”
• “Thor of the realms”
• “Loki. The complete first season”
• “Thor”
• “Thor: the dark world”

America Chavez was originally a member of the “Young Avengers (2011).” Many of the Young Avengers are members of the LGBTQ+ community and America is no exception as she identifies as a lesbian. You can learn more about America in the library catalog:

• “America. 1: the life and times of America Chavez”
• “West Coast Avengers. 2, City of evils”
• “Doctor Strange in the multiverse of madness”

Jonathan Kent starts out as the young son of Clark Kent (Superman) and Lois Lane. In “Superman, Son of Kal-El” #4, an adult Jon starts dating Jay Makamura. You can learn more about Jon in the library catalog:

• “Superman, son of Kal-El vol. 1, The Truth”
• “Superman, son of Kal-El. vol. 2, The rising”
• “Superman, son of Kal-El. Vol. 3, Battle for Gamorra”
• “Superman: rebirth deluxe edition. Book 4”
• “Book 4, Justice League vs. The Legion of Superheroes.”

Tim Drake comes out as bisexual while fighting along Bernard Dowd in “Batman Urban Legends #6.” You can learn more about Tim in the library catalog:

• “Batman: detective comics. 8, On the outside”
• “Teen Titans. 4, Light and Dark”
• “Batman beyond. 3, Wired for death”
• “Batman: detective comics. 7, Batmen eternal”

Kate Kane (Batwoman) was the first lesbian superhero to get her own mainstay DC series. You can learn more about Kate in the library catalog:

• ”Batwoman. 1, The many arms of death”
• “Batwoman. 2, To drown the world”
• “Batwoman. 3, World's finest”
• “Batwoman. 4, This blood is thick”
• “Batwoman. 5, Webs”

Explore more at Catalog.AuroraLibrary.org