'Power Rangers' Gives Kids An LGBTQ Superhero

When it hits theaters Friday, March 24, Power Rangers is going to give LGBTQ children everywhere a superhero they can identify with. Director Dean Israelite confirmed that the Yellow Ranger — named Trini and played by Becky G — is first LGBTQ protagonist ever in a big-budget superhero movie. Apparently the confirmation of Trini's sexuality is a "small moment" in the film, but one that Israelite refers to as "pivotal."

Fresh off the heels of the first prominent gay character in a Disney movie, I personally think it's incredible to see more diversity in big-budget movies. When I was growing up, there were no LGBTQ superheroes who I could look up to and identify with, and I'm excited about the fact that kids today can see that superheroes don't have to be straight.

According The Hollywood Reporter, there’s a scene where the rest of the Rangers learn that Trini isn’t straight. One character apparently assumes that Trini is having "boyfriend problems," but then learns she's actually having "girlfriend problems."

"For Trini, really she's questioning a lot about who she is," Israelite explained to The Hollywood Reporter. "She hasn't fully figured it out yet. I think what's great about that scene and what that scene propels for the rest of the movie is, 'That's OK.' The movie is saying, 'That's OK,' and all of the kids have to own who they are and find their tribe."

Although, as THR points out, there are LGBTQ characters in comic books (X-Men's Northstar became the first openly gay character from a high-profile DC or Marvel comic back in 1992) and on TV (there are gay characters in Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, and Arrow) there hasn’t been an LGBTQ superhero featured on the big screen… until now.

David Yost, who played the original Blue Ranger and is openly gay himself, also spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about the inclusion of an LGBTQ character in the reboot movie. "They really stepped up to the plate," he said. "I think so many people in the LGBTQI community are going to be excited to see that representation."

I'm just one member of the the LGBTQI community, but I'll say that I'm definitely excited about seeing a gay superhero on the big screen!