A Major Character Just Came Out On “Supergirl”

"No one should ever feel like they've got a secret inside of them."

From: NewNowNext

 In an emotional Monday night episode, Supergirl’s older, adoptive sister Alex took an unexpected step out of the closet when she came out as a lesbian.

 At the Television Critics Association press tour this past August, producers hinted that a character on the popular CW show would be coming out. While many fans expected it to be Winn (Jeremy Jordan), executive producer Andrew Kreisberg believes that Alex’s coming out answers a lot of lingering questions about the character.

“It just made so much sense to us,” Kreisberg explained to the Hollywood Reporter. “It was actually something that we had discussed doing last season and didn’t think we were in the right place to be doing it. But coming into this season, it just felt so natural and like such a strong story line to give to Alex this year.”

“There was always this sadness about her last season that I think we’re really getting underneath now,” he continued. “No one should ever feel like they’re trapped. No one should ever feel like they’ve got a secret inside of them.”

Kreisberg went on to say that now that she’s come out, Alex (Chyler Leigh) will be going on an “incredible journey” of discovery and acceptance.

“It’s going to be funny, it’s going to be serious, it’s going to be romantic, it’s going to be heartbreaking,” he described. “It’s going to be everything that any relationship that you see on TV, no matter what the gender, should and will be.”

The decision to have Alex open up about her sexuality comes not long after several TV shows faced criticism for killing off prominent lesbian characters, a troubling trend that inspired the “Bury Your Gays” trope.

In response, Kreisberg has promised to tell Alex’s story in a “respectful, educational, entertaining and thoughtful” way. He added that Alex will be surrounded by supportive family and friends who will be there for her as she navigates this new identity.