Homosexuality is still a big taboo in Hollywood. Look at the recent blockbuster ‘Gladiator II’ where they cut out a kiss between two men. Representation is important in the media. Something the best-known superhero production company ‘Marvel Studios’ picked up. For several years now, Marvel has been trying to come up with more representation within their universe. One thing that stayed out for a long time was a kiss between two main characters of the same sex. Until the latest series ‘Agatha All Along’ suddenly changed that.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is an umbrella term for the live-action film adaptions of the Marvel Comics. It’s a universe full of your favorite heroes such as Spider-Man, Iron Man or Captain America. The MCU was created in 2008 with the introduction of Iron Man. The superhero played by American actor Robert Downey Jr. became a giant success. Since then, a huge number of heroes and stories have been released.

From Black Panther to Shang Chi
For several years now, Marvel has been working on bringing representation to the MCU. Until 2018, 61% of superheroes were white and only 6.7% of characters were female until 2021, according to study conducted by Brigham Young University. In 2018, Marvel introduced the first ever black superhero ‘Black Panther’.

Followed by the first Asian hero ‘Shang Chi’ in 2021 and even a first homosexual kiss between two male side characters in ‘Eternals’ in the same year. A kiss between two main characters wasn’t shown until October of this year.

It really was Agatha All Along
That’s where ‘Agatha All Along’ comes in. The new Marvel series brings us back to the village ‘Westview’ that we remember from the first ever series in the MCU, ‘WandaVision’ (2021). The villain/anti-hero of WandaVision and infamous witch Agatha Harkness, searches in her own spinoff the power she lost. Harkness, played by Kathryn Hahn, awaits an adventure with her own coven and a 16-year-old boy (played by Joe Locke) as her side-characters. In one of the last episodes Agatha shares a passionate kiss with another woman named Rio Vidal. Not just a quick peck on the lips, no, a real make-out session of several seconds. It’s not only a kiss out of convenience but the characters have obviously a romantic history with each other. Agatha and Rio share the first lesbian kiss, a first in the MCU. Which was well received by the fans. Agatha All Along gets, despite being the queerest MCU show, a score of 84% on rotten tomatoes.

do you understand the implications of agatha being the one to start every “soft interaction”???? do you understand the implications of rio being “the one” who’s been hurt the most?!!!?!?? SHE IS MY SCAR@??&?? I FEEL INSANE pic.twitter.com/5hNBK0cqNg

— alex @ gelphie brainrot (@caroldenvrs) October 3, 2024

The importance of representation
Why is representation important? There are numerous reasons as to why representation matters. For example, it helps people realize that they’re not alone. Seeing someone like you in a positive light in the media, shows you there are other people like you.

It also helps foster understanding and tolerance, seeing characters who are different from you helps eliminate misunderstandings because people might have more in common with you then you first thought. This can lead to an increase in sympathy. Good representation also solves stereotyping and discriminatory behavior. Most importantly, representation has the power to normalize things.

Marvel’s decision to feature its first lesbian kiss in Agatha All Along marks a significant milestone in the MCU. It’s a step toward greater inclusivity in a medium that shapes global perceptions and cultural narratives. While there is still work to be done, moments like this help normalize diversity and foster empathy among audiences. Representation matters because it shows us the world as it truly is: beautifully varied and deeply interconnected. Marvel’s evolving efforts remind us that everyone deserves to see themselves as heroes.

Text & Image: Nohr Pardon