Hello, I am a gay man with a partner. We have been together for three years. I am in my forties and he is in his twenties. I have been able to share my love of Star Trek with him and the journey that I went on.
When I was at school, I wasn’t into football like the other boys. I didn’t really have many friends who were boys. We rarely have anything in common and besides, they used to bully me and call me names like Gaylord. I preferred to get along with the girls and hang out with them. I spent most of my school life this way.
When I was in Secondary School, I spent most of my time in the School Library. It was warm and dry in the winter and cool in the summer. There were a few of us who became Assistant Student Librarians. The thing we all had in common, apart from reading, was Star Trek. We even had Star Trek Quizzes on the last day of term.
Star Trek, for me, was escapism. Here were a variety of characters, who didn’t judge someone on who they slept with or what colour their skin was. Everyone had an equal opportunity to be whoever they wanted to be. The driving force was to improve yourself and the human race through study and exploration. This became the meaning of life for me. Learn as much as you can.
The episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation is called ‘The Outcast’. In its own way was a “dip” into the world of non-heterosexual relationships. The episode ‘The Host’ does the same. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine then graces us with the episode called ‘Rejoined’. Not quite an LGBT character or episode.
But two women kissing… don’t get me wrong for a Prime Time Sci-Fi tv show. This was huge in America. Here in the UK, being a lesbian was not considered a crime. Brookside had already shown two women kissing. Eastenders had shown a peck on the forehead between two gay men. Born in 1980 these ground-breaking events went over my head.
1995 I was a teenager trying to discover myself in a world where I was considered a criminal. I felt like I was the only one, no one was like me on the tv screen and portrayed in a positive way. In 1998 I was told by a foster carer that I was mentally ill.
The other characters were hinted at but not really shown. Hawke, Garak etc. Even Hikaru Sulu in the JJ Abrams reboot. These were minor accomplishments.
This brings me to Culber, and Stamets portrayed by the openly queer actors Wilson Cruz and Anthony Rapp. When I heard that these two were going to be on Star Trek: Discovery, I jumped for joy. Finally, gay male characters. Then, when the excitement faded, I started to wonder how they were going to be portrayed.
Usually, they are effeminate, bitchy, gay characters that Hollywood has used to stereotype them. No romantic relationships. No happy ever afters…But this was Star Trek. Everyone was included and nobody was less than anyone else. Uhura, Chekov and Mbenga were accepted and treated just like anyone else.
After two seasons of Discovery, I danced around my room happily. Not only are Culber and Stamets gay, but they are a happy couple, they aren’t your stereotypical gays and the fact that they are gay doesn’t impede their lives and it isn’t the only thing that is spoken about in their episodes.
They are a Scientist and a Doctor. They do their jobs and go back to their quarters together. Then seasons three and four arrive and we have two more LGBTQI+ Characters. Adira Tal (Blu del Barrio) and Gray Tal (Ian Alexander).
Are they spurned by the other members of the LGBTQI+ characters? No, they are welcomed, and they form what my partner and I like to call The Family. Loved and cherished by Stulber (Stamets & Culber) and Jett Reno (Tig Notaro) gives them her wisdom.
Though I think they made a mistake killing Jett Reno’s wife. It would have rounded out the family rather nicely. Still, they have their extended family, Tilly, Burnham, and Pollard. This is the future to aim for.
Star Trek: Picard has just concluded its second season and I was absolutely overjoyed to see that Seven (Jeri Ryan) and Raffi (Michelle Hurd) were still together. They have endured some issues, which characters don’t, but they are still together despite what the galaxy throws at them.
Then you have Jurati and the Borg Queen. In one instance you could say they become friends, though, on the other hand, you could say that they end up in a relationship. They know each other in so many intimate ways. But I leave that for you to decide. (SPOILERS)
My Future…
I have embraced Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. I have even listed it as my religion when asked. To me, it means accepting people no matter who they are.
Not everyone can be good, there has to be balanced. But if those bad people are willing and want to change for the better, we have to give them those opportunities, after serving their penance.
In essence, IDIC is a non-judgemental way of living. No assumptions & No prejudgements. It is also about education. If someone asks a question about culture or heritage, you have to be willing to teach them. Through learning comes acceptance. Through acceptance, we can begin to make a better future, a future that we see on our screens and wish to be part of.
We still have a way to go. First LGBTQI+ Captain?
Article written by: Stephen Lester aka Tinkidium Rax.
10th host to the Rax symbiote. Other hosts have included. The Queen of Geeks. Undefeated Star Trek Quiz Champion. Star Trek: Online player. A Sims 4 Architect and now a plain and simple Lived Experience Consultant. This host currently uses He/Him pronouns, but won’t be upset with She/Her pronouns as this host is still adjusting to the Rax symbiote.
Facebook: Stephen.Leater72 Twitter is @Tinkidium2019
