America Chavez: The First Queer Latina Superhero On The Big Screen

America Chavez
Source: Marvel Entertainment

Earlier this month, the highly anticipated Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness movie made its way to theaters and fans of the franchise were thrilled to see the latest installment. If you haven’t seen it yet, no worries! No spoilers for the movie are ahead. Instead, we’re here to highlight the (arguably) most important character of the film: America Chavez. Played on the big screen by Xochitl Gomez, who you may know from The Babysitters Club, this Latina superhero has finally made her much-awaited debut as part of the MCU.


As Latinas, we are obviously super hyped for the much-needed representation. America Chavez has been one of the coolest comic book characters ever since she started appearing in Marvel Comics as Miss America back in 2011. Chavez’s multiverse jumping abilities make her unique from the rest of the superheroes we know due to the rarity of them, and she is often a key character even when she is not the protagonist. So without further ado, here are 5 things you should know about her:


Chavez’s alliances include the Teen Brigade and Young Avengers

Young Avengers and America Chavez

Photo property of: Marvel Comics

Chavez first joined the Teen Brigade, a group formed to protect Earth and inform other superheroes like the Avengers of any threat that may arise. Later on, she became part of the famous Young Avengers, where she was classmates with other iconic figures like kid Loki, Wiccan (Scarlet Witch's son), Kate Bishop, Cassie Lang (daughter of ant-man), and others.

Chavez is an LGBTQ+ icon

Amalia and Elena Chavez

Marvel.com

America Chavez is openly and proudly a lesbian; as of right now, America has a partner in the comics named Ramone Watts, also a superhero herself. In the MCU, it hasn't been established whether she is going to be portrayed exactly how her character is in the comics. However, *MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD*... we were able to see that they are staying true to her origins by presenting us with her two mothers Amalia and Elena Chavez, as it is in the comics.

To add to that, you may have heard the news that that 12 second scene did receive some backlash, but as of today Marvel has stated that they will not be cutting the scene. That shows they aren't shying away from staying true to her character, so let's have high hopes for her future in the MCU.

You’ve probably seen Xochitl Gomez in some roles already

Xochitl Gomez as America ChavezDr Strange Marvel GIF by Leroy PattersonGiphy

Though we’re discussing Chavez in her superhero form, the one responsible for bringing the comic character to life is actress Xochitl Gomez. At only 16 years old, she was already a recognized actress for her role in Netflix's The Babysitters Club, where she played the charming Dawn Schafer.

In her role as one of the most powerful superheroes in the MCU, we can't wait to see where her character goes next. With many positive reviews so far, many fans are excited to finally have this character join the rest. Her introduction means exciting things are coming to the MCU. If you know, you know

Chavez isn't from our Earth

America Chavez

Source: Marvel Entertainment

Chavez comes from another reality, specifically a Utopian Parallel that is a realm outside of conventional time and space. Her powers include superhuman strength, durability, speed, and the power of flight. Still, most importantly, she can open portals across the multiverse by literally breaking the barriers that separate universes.

Chavez is a Nexus being

Doctor Strange tripDoctor Strange Trip GIF by RegalGiphy

In the Marvel universe, Nexus beings are rare entities with the ability to affect probability and the future. Therefore they can alter the flow of the Universal Time Stream. Because of that, they are key elements in the multiverse and are essential to maintaining its coherence and stability. This also means that there are no variants of America; she is the one and only in the entire multiverse.


We could spend all day talking about her and how cool she is, but for now, we'll leave it here. Let’s continue celebrating the first Latinx superhero both in the comics and in the MCU, and hope that there’s only more where that came from.

bop the bigot video game logo

In 2024, voting campaigns have evolved greatly, to say the least. Creativity is now the name of the game and tongue-in-cheek humor is expertly leveraged to drive action. One example of that is Bop the Bigot, a revival of a viral game created in 2016 by Bazta Arpaio, an Arizona activist group, as part of a campaign to unseat Maricopa County’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio lost his re-election to Paul Penzone that year.

The game has now been updated for the current election cycle and relaunched by On Point Studios, with new features added to enable players to find out what’s on their ballot, confirm voter status, and register to vote.

Much like its former 2016 version, the game allows users to take out their political frustrations by virtually “bopping” GOP candidates in the head. It’s very similar to whack-a-mole, except the mole is replaced by former President Donald Trump, Ohio’s Senator J. D. Vance, and Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation, which is spearheading Project 2025.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

B. Loewe, Director of On Point Studios, came up with the concept for this game when working as the Communications Director at Bazta Arpaio in 2016, and is the executive producer of this revamped version. In the first version of the game, Bop the Bigot players used a chancla (flip flop) to “bop” the characters, tapping into Latino culture by leaning on the childhood experience of being set right by a flying chancla from a fed-up mother or grandmother.

This year, the chancla is replaced by a more current element, a green coconut, referencing Kamala Harris’ coconut tree meme. There are also side characters like “the couch,” cat ladies, and more coconuts. All references to jokes about Vice-Presidential candidate Vance, or insults Vance has made about women on the campaign trail.

Another new addition is that Harris’ laugh is immortalized as the game-over sound effect, an unexpected detail that adds even more humor and levity to the game.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump, Kevin Roberts, and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

Bop the Bigot, which is playable on desktop and mobile, is intended not just as a way to vent political frustrations, but also as a tool for activism and securing voter engagement.

For example, the game supports the work of Mexican Neidi Dominguez Zamorano, Founding Executive Director of the non-profit organization Organized Power in Numbers by using the “game over” screen to prompt players to donate to it and support their efforts.

Organized Power in Numbers is focused on empowering workers in the South and Southwest of the U.S. through collective action and comprehensive campaigns. Their mission is to create a large-scale movement that challenges the status quo and advocates for workers' rights, and racial and economic justice.

Currently, Dominguez Zamorano is leading worker outreach to 2 million working-class voters in the South and Southwest through doorknocking, texting, and calls with the help of local groups in North Carolina, Arizona, New Mexico, and more.

“We have been blown away by the enthusiastic reception for the video game. We knew we wanted to be part of its creative approach because our movement needs more fun and laughter. We need more ways to connect with nuestra gente so we can feel joy among all the absurdity we witness every day,” Dominguez Zamorano shared with Luz Media via email.

“Our people are gente trabajadora and we deserve to feel uplifted even in our toughest moments. We are deeply involved in the South and Southwest so we know what’s at stake in this election and we’re happy this can be a resource to mobilize, raise spirits, and get out the vote," she concluded.

Dominguez Zamorano is a committed activist for immigrants and workers' rights, known for her strategist skills and expertise. She played a key role in the campaign to win DACA and has also held roles in major campaigns, including as Deputy National States Director for Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. In addition to her work with Organized Power in Numbers, Dominguez Zamorano is serving as a Senior Advisor to Mijente’s Fuera Trump Initiative.

Grassroots efforts like these have taken on new life in 2024, with Bop the Bigot adding to the larger, ongoing fight against political apathy and disinformation. Just as it did during the 2016 race, the video game uses humor to soften the serious task at hand—getting people to the polls.

"We want the game to be a fun and comical outlet for anyone who’s been insulted, frustrated, or harmed by Trump in the past and everyone who is ready to move forward as a country after election day," explained Loewe in a press release. "The proposals in Project 2025 and the beliefs of Trump and Vance aren’t just weird, they’re truly harmful. We wanted to give people a humorous and peaceful way to smack down their racism and sexism. We hope it makes people laugh and also feel empowered and motivated to get to the polls on or before election day."

With a mix of satire, sharp political critique, and nostalgia, the game is a call to action. The upcoming election, which is getting closer by the minute, has sparked fierce activism and creative yet grounded initiatives like these aim to ensure voters are engaged, especially young Latinos and disenfranchised groups.

a woman giving the side eye to a man

Have you ever met someone who seems overly confident, self-centered, or even downright rude? Maybe they constantly talk about themselves, disregard your feelings, or even manipulate situations to their advantage. And, if you're anything like us and countless other Latinas, you might've thought, is this person just a purebred a**hole, or are they a narcissist?

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