Michaela Coel’s Gender Sparks Public Inquiry – She Supports LGBTQ+ without Self-Identification as Queer

Michaela Coel has captivated many people with her acting prowess. In addition to her talent, her portrayal of a queer character in a famous superhero film has caused some fans to question her gender.

Without a doubt, actress Michaela Coel has become a superstar in her own right, captivating not just with her artistry but also with her striking features.

Coel’s career, bold perspective on love, and advocacy work have all made her a topic of discussion among fans, both in public and on social media.

Coel began her career in theater in 2013 with her debut play, “Chewing Gum Dreams.” The play was based on her Ghanaian parents’ religious upbringing during her childhood.

Her involvement in theater set the stage for her to pursue her talent in Hollywood. “Chewing Gum Dreams” was later adapted into a sitcom with the shortened title “Chewing Gum” in 2015.

Coel has continued to make a name for herself in TV and film, showcasing her talent in various projects, including “The Aliens” series. Additionally, her unique identity has also sparked fascination among fans.

Persistent rumors about Coel’s gender identity have sparked netizens’ discussions. On Twitter, a user tweeted in December 2022 about queer representation in the entertainment industry that read:

“It really seems like they’re finally coming around on queer representation but we gotta keep up the pressure! Sidenote, are we assuming Michaela Coel is trans? Because she’s never said anything either way so we probably shouldn’t.”

On the big screen, Coel has ensured she represented the queer community well.

In the discussion thread, the user praised the film’s all-female stars and pointed out that a “transgender” was also part of the flick, referring to Coel. However, a netizen quickly corrected the user and wrote that Coel is not transgender.

The user eventually realized his erroneous tweet and claimed it was a “wrong impression” that came from an “article some time ago.” Meanwhile, no reports or official statements prove Coel is transgender.

Despite these mistakes and assumptions, she is actually born female, and her birthname is Michaela Ewuraba Boakye-Collinson. She attended Bishop Challoner Catholic Collegiate Girls’ School in London’s East End.

Coel seems unbothered by the public’s assumption that she is transgender, considering that she has been a staunch advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. In her interviews, she has often addressed issues faced by queer individuals.

In March 2021, Coel was among several Black celebrities, including actor Idris Elba and supermodel Naomi Campbell, who encouraged Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo to work with the LGBTQ+ community.

This came after a reported raid and shutdown of an LGBTQ+ center in the country the previous month. The celebrities expressed solidarity through an open letter condemning the attack with the hashtag “#GhanaSupportsEquality.”

The open letter was one of how Coel has shown her support for the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, she wrote a poem to express her love for the group.

Coel is passionate about challenging the “traditional” and “colonial” idea that love is only meant to be between males and females. She has clarified that she has nothing against religion or heterosexual love as she, too, loves men.

However, Coel also believes that the LGBTQ+ community, especially queer individuals, faces the most opposition to their right to love freely. On the big screen, Coel has ensured she represented the queer community well.

In “Black Panther,” she plays a queer character, Aneka, one of the respected warriors in Wakanda. During her interview with “Good Morning America” in October 2022, Coel shared that the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Ghana inspired her to take on her role in “Black Panther.”

She said it was “heartbreaking” that her Ghanaian queer friends are prohibited from getting married, adopting children, and having their own kids. However, she takes solace in the fact that she can provide them with representation through her role in the Marvel movie.

She said, “So any time I can contribute to pushing a queer narrative and making it acceptable and normalizing it in places where it’s considered abnormal, I’m very on board for [it].”