In issue #19 of DC Comics Batgirl line on sale today they have introduced the first transgender character in mainstream comics.
(Details below the fold)
Wired.com has the full article here.
Speaking as a geek with a large number of LGBT geek friends I am very pleased to see DC taking this step. But I wish that they had decided to make Alysia a superhero in her own right rather than merely Barbara Gordon's roommate, but as a friend pointed out small steps are important and we have no idea where the story may lead.
I also wish they would rename the title Batwoman instead of Batgirl, especially since the character goes by the former name now, but that's another subject entirely. :)
But rather than being overly negative I would like to applaud DC for taking this step and for being on the cutting edge social issues in mainstream comics.