Ruby Rose’s Batwoman took a big step forward for representation as the superhero came out as a lesbian in the latest episode of the CW series.
The big reveal came after the superhero was plagued with rumors that she was dating cop Slam Bradley. In coming out, Batwoman takes inspiration from Parker Torres (Malia Pyles), a hacker who is outed to her parents by a spurned ex-girlfriend.
The episode seemingly took inspiration for Batwoman’s reveal from Ellen DeGeneres, who famously came out on the cover of Time magazine in 1997.
For the character of Parker, who would go on to encourage Batwoman to come out, showrunner Caroline Dries told The Hollywood Reporter that she personally took inspiration from her wife’s own coming out story.
Dries said: “I have always said that Kate and now Batwoman is the person that, obviously, I wish I had growing up and she is still the person I aspire to be. She is way more comfortable than I am.
“With Parker, the girl who pushes Kate to have Batwoman come out, I used my wife’s coming out story. A girl she was dating in high school got mad at her and called her mom and outed her. I felt like that was very relatable. It’s the idea of somebody who is not ready to come out yet, being weaponized against them.”
