If you're not yet watching Black Lightning on the CW, let's quickly bring you up to speed. Spoilers ahead, obviously.
Actor Nafessa Williams plays Anissa Pierce, a young superhero with other-worldly abilities (that she is only just starting to discover).
Seriously, she is kicking a lot of ass only two episodes in.
Ouch.
Oh, and she's super-duper canonically gay.
And the show is actually giving The Gays what they want, right away, in Episode 2!
*Screams silently for the joy of representation*
Viewers were quick to provide their feedback and approval of the storyline:
Omg they’re treating Anissa’s sexuality so normally her dad just casually saying she’s at her girlfriend’s 😭😭😭… https://t.co/Y61uGTcWzF
“Our sex is mind blowing you know that?” THE ARE ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT HAVING GAY SEX AND IT’S GIVING ME FEELINGS #BlackLightning
It's something a lot of people weren't used to seeing on their TV screens, especially if you yourself are a black, queer, woman:
That's right, only two episodes in and we've already got all this precious queer content.
I’m happy that Anissa is openly gay and her parents know and it’s just normal. A lot of shows like to make it a sec… https://t.co/HI95lU3DIw
One of the best thing about #BlackLightning is that we don't have to wait. Yes, it's centered on Jefferson Pierce,… https://t.co/pyJOP9anJE
ANISSA’S LESBIAN STORYLINE ISN’T HER COMING OUT?? SHE IS JUST ALREADY OUT AND WITH A GIRLFRIEND HER FAMILY KNOWS AB… https://t.co/nRaEpoCLUg
Others were quick to defend the show against those who accused the writers of, you know, making something gay:
Because the real world is gay AF and her character is canon. So... #BlackLightning https://t.co/Z1sohPP0dd
People freaking out about Anissa being a lesbian in #BlackLightning need to chill. Firstly, the writers aren’t forc… https://t.co/6lpmFR85Rq
Executive producer Salim Akil made it clear in a recent interview that there won't be any "special episode" focusing on Anissa's coming out story or sexuality — because that's not the point!
And Williams? Yeah, she's here for it too.
"She's walking boldly and unapologetically in who she is," the actor told Teen Vogue in a recent interview about her character.
It's amazing to watch because I've been getting on social media a lot of comments. Not even just black lesbians, just young lesbians everywhere who want to see more of themselves on TV and show what the life of a lesbian is like. You're gonna go on that journey with Anissa. It's also cool because my parents on the show, they're very accepting and open about my sexuality. I hope that parents watching are inspired to support their lesbian or gay child.
So? What more do you need to know? Get watching!
