20-year-old Nicole Maines has become the first trangender superhero on television playing Nia Nal, or “Dreamer,” in CW’s Supergirl. Maines’ character is half human half alien transwoman who was born on Earth and raised in Partha, a place where humans and aliens coexist. Despite her roots being accepting of her identity, Nal seeks life elsewhere which eventually leads her to working close to Kara (Super Girl) at CatCo. After her mother’s death she accepts her powers and works alongside Super Girl. During her time as a superhero her roommate is attacked by a man who doesn’t believe superheroes should be trans. Nal doesn’t back down.
The role is fitting for Maines as she is strong and resilient in real life. In 2014 she was the anonymous plaintiff “Susan Doe” in the Maine Judicial Supreme Court case Doe vs Regional School 26. Maines’ parents sued the school board after she was banned from the girls bathroom at her school and forced to use a staff bathroom. She believed it was wrong and alienated her from her peers. The courts ruled in favor of Maine’s becoming the first time any court in the nation ruled against forcing trans students to use a particular bathroom.
It isn’t hard to recognize the parallels between Maines and the character she portrays in Supergirl. Both in the show and in her personal life she has a supportive family but faces controversy. In both circumstances she chooses to be strong and fight for what she believes in. She defends others and continues doing so even after being the victim of hate. All in all I believe that CW chose the perfect person to portray the first transgender superhero on TV and I am excited to see more and more LGBTQ+ representations going forward.