In a previous article, I wrote about my coming-out story. You can find “How I Didn’t Come Out” here. When I came out, pansexuality wasn’t as well known as it is now. We still have a long way to go, but when I came out every single person asked me what I meant. I recently came out to someone and their first response was: “Oh, like Deadpool! Awesome!” I was surprised, to be honest. Deadpool has been amazing for the LGBTQ+ community because he brought a lot of awareness to pansexuality, opening and broadening the minds of millions.

Even with the legalization of same-sex marriage, the inclusion of same-sex couples in TV and film is rare. In 2005, “only 17.5% of studio releases in 2014 featured LGBTQ+ characters, and they usually appear in supporting roles.” If Deadpool were to have a boyfriend in the sequel, he would be the first superhero in the Marvel Universe to be in a same-sex relationship, which would be huge for the LGBTQ+ community and for pansexual representation. Unless, of course, Captain America beats him to it!

There is an ever-growing need for LGBTQ+ representation in media. For example, Orange is the New Black, a show that paved the way for the LGBTQ+ community’s success in TV and film, stars not one, not two, but eight LGBTQ+ main characters and a couple LGBTQ+ recurring characters, including a transgender woman played by Laverne Cox. Despite its popularity, Orange is the New Black is still not a network show. It is one of Netflix’s most popular original series, but was constantly overlooked. This show just proved that, as a community, we need more representation in TV and film.

It’s not just the fans who are interested in a pansexual Deadpool. Ryan Reynolds has expressed that he’s not only aware of Deadpool’s sexuality, but he hopes Deadpool has a boyfriend in the next movie. He said: “I certainly wouldn’t be the guy standing in the way of that. That would be great.” While speaking to Collider, the director of Deadpool -- Tim Miller -- released a very clear statement: Deadpool will be “pansexual! I want that quoted. Pansexual Deadpool.” People have been questioning whether or not Deadpool is actually pansexual since he only has one female partner in the movie. Despite his many homoerotic comments and gestures, some people don’t quite buy it -- or they just don’t like it.

Many articles state that different factors make them question his sexuality. For example, in an early scene, we find out that Wade Wilson (aka Deadpool) and Vanessa (his girlfriend) don’t necessarily have vanilla, cookie-cutter sex. On International Women’s Day, Vanessa seems to be wearing a strap-on and Wade is on the receiving end of anal sex. While many men of all different sexual orientations receive anal sex, Wade doesn’t seem to like it too much. To some, this is “proof” that he isn’t really pansexual. Some even go as far as to say that he’s no different than “a popular jock pretending to be gay to crack up his friends,” Nathaniel Rogers, writer for Towleroad said. “The only difference is that he’s not doing it with a lisp or with cruel intent.” However, I disagree. Deadpool may seem like he doesn’t take anything seriously, but that’s just part of who he is. He jokes about anything and everything, one of the things he particularly likes to joke about is his sexuality; this does not mean that his sexuality is a joke.

Because here’s the thing: no one needs to prove their sexuality to you, or to anyone. Being with a woman does not make Deadpool any less pansexual. Liking (or not) different types of sex doesn’t define his sexual orientation. It’s about who he is attracted to. He does not automatically turn heterosexual when he dates a woman, just like he does not become homosexual when he dates a man. People can say whatever they want, but if the director of the film says he identifies as pansexual, chances are that he identifies as pansexual. As one of the screenwriters, Rhett Reese said: “We knew [his sexuality] was part of the comics.” The producer, Simon Kinberg added: “We wanted to honor that in the movie. But we did it in subtle ways… There’s veiled references to it in this film. It’s in the DNA of the character.”

The awareness Deadpool brought is amazing. The representation is out of this world. I never imagined or expected that I would see someone like me on the big screen. So thank you, Deadpool. For being you, and for representing pansexuality. And who knows? Maybe Deadpool will have a boyfriend in the next movie! We can all dream, right?