Desert Wasp

The most public Saudi superhuman is also the most infamous, as he is both a criminal and willing exile from his homeland. Zaid Rahman was a troubled teen who had several brushes with the religious police even before his powers manifested. His family was grateful of the opportunity for Zaid to attend the Claremont Academy in the United States, and Zaid was grateful to escape, since life abroad finally allowed him to accept his growing awareness of his homosexuality. Once out of Saudi Arabia, Zaid adopted the code-name “Desert Wasp” and graduated Claremont with honors, making fast friends and, eventually, coming out and applying for asylum in the United States.
Zaid has remained a devout Muslim (in his view). Coupled with his sexuality and nationality, he has been a target for bigots on numerous fronts, including the sinister spirit known as Knightfire. He lives and operates out of Detroit in the United States, but his high-speed flight allows Desert Wasp to visit many places in the world. He has been accused of using his super-sonic flight to secretly aid other LGBT people in escaping persecution in the Middle East but, to date, no proof has arisen.