Iceman
Gender: Male
Orientation: Gay
Publisher: Marvel
Character Type: Primary
Alignment: Good
AKA: Robert "Bobby" Louis Drake
Summary: Since his introduction as a founding member of the X-Men in 1963, Iceman was depicted as straight until a younger version of the character came out in 2015. The character, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, would go on to be featured in his own series, Iceman, in which exploring his sexuality is a major plot point. As a well-established and popular character in the Marvel comics, Bobby's coming out has been an important development in the increasing visibility of LGBTQ+ characters in comic books.
Database Links: Wikipedia, Marvel Wiki, X-Men Wiki
Important Issues: A younger version of Bobby was outed by a young Jean Grey in All-New X-Men (Vol. 1) #40. The two would go on to confront the older Bobby Drake in Uncanny X-Men #600 and learn that he has been closeted since he was a child.
Original “X-Men” member Iceman is set to make a big revelation this week: he’s gay. The iconic character makes the surprise declaration in the All-New X-Men #40, which is available in stores and online April 22. Pages from the new book show an intimate conversation between a young Iceman, or Bobby Drake, and pal Jean Grey. (Read more)
Curtis M. Wong, "Original 'X-Men' Character Iceman Comes Out As Gay," HuffPost, April 21, 2015.
After revealing he is gay in 2015, X-Men’s Iceman is finally getting his first gay kiss. In the latest issue of the All New X-Men comic, the popular mutant locks lips with another character named Romeo who reportedly “belongs to a rival class of superhuman known as Inhumans.” In the comic, the pair go on a series of dates, ultimately leading to their big, romantic moment. (Read more)
James Michael Nichols, "Iceman Gets His First Gay Kiss," HuffPost, 2015.
A significant chapter in the history of Marvel’s X-Men comes to a close with the release of Uncanny X-Men #600 Wednesday. The issue marks the end of writer Brian Michael Bedis’s epic saga which features young versions of the original five X-Men (Iceman, Cyclops, Beast, Angel, and Jean Grey) displaced in time and fighting the never-ending battle in present day. In an interesting twist on the history of Marvel’s mutants, young Iceman (a.k.a. Bobby Drake) came out as gay in April’s All-New X-Men #40, raising questions about his older self who presents as heterosexual in the “current” timeline. (Read more)
Jase Peeples, "EXCLUSIVE: X-Men's IcemanConfronts Himself: 'You Are Gay,'" Advocate, November 3, 2015.