# Why no gay Star Trek characters? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 19, 2006, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-gay-star-trek-characters/353362 "2006-04-19T21:06:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Sir\_Rhosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sir\_Rhosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Rhosis)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-gay-star-trek-characters/353362/41 "2006-04-20T03:45:37Z")
^^^Further: The episode was entitled “The Dauphin.” Sir Rhosis ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-gay-star-trek-characters/353362/42 "2006-04-20T05:08:43Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > … > > In DS9, when Dax met up with a former spouse (in the body Dax was married to as a male, I believe), neither had a problem with the relationship being physically gay–it’s just not on the Trill radar _among hosts,_ who are specially chosen and trained. However, the fact that they had been involved in a previous life meant that their relationship was absolutely forbidden. > … I was going to post about this one but you beat me to it. Let me state for the record that I am a hetero female. That said, that kissing scene in the above mentioned episode was HOT! Then again Terry Ferrell is pretty hot. She’s on my “If I Were Gay” list. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-gay-star-trek-characters/353362/43 "2006-04-20T06:28:09Z")
Don’t forget about the extras in skirts towards the beginning of The Next Generation. You can’t tell me none of those guys were gay. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-gay-star-trek-characters/353362/44 "2006-04-20T13:38:24Z")
They were called SKANTS. Whether worn by male or female crew, the word is skant. My cite is a Trek continuity director and writer of a couple of eps, who verbally told me that’s what William Ware Theiss called them. You can also see WWT use the term in [this interview.](http://www.robsacc.nl/ottens/forgottentrek_interview-theiss.html) Sure, not _that_ important, but with as much nitpicking as we Trekkers do, it’s always better to be specific. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![DirkGntly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DirkGntly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DirkGntly)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-gay-star-trek-characters/353362/45 "2006-04-20T15:14:44Z")
> [@cerberus](#): > > The actress who played Rand had “issues”, and her personal life derailed her career. But in Season One, when Kirk was bisected into Good Kirk/Bad Kirk, Bad Kirk tried to nail her. Unsuccessfully. [Shatner]I know! The frigid little hussy![/Shatner] ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-gay-star-trek-characters/353362/46 "2006-04-20T15:35:24Z")
> [@cerberus](#): > > The Lester Episode (“Turnabout Intruder” was the very last episode aired, at the end of season three. > > The actress who played Rand had “issues”, and her personal life derailed her career. But in Season One, when Kirk was bisected into Good Kirk/Bad Kirk, Bad Kirk tried to nail her. Unsuccessfully. Little Hijack here: Has anyone seen this episode recently? Okay the captain sexually assaults her. She goes to sick bay and reports it, and gets an exam. So far so good. Then they have the captain come into the sick bay, while she’s still wearing a torn uniform, and stand over her while she’s sitting down, and contradict her story, and try to get her to change it. I understand it was the 60s, but cripes. Where’s the Security Officer here? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-gay-star-trek-characters/353362/47 "2006-04-20T15:48:39Z")
> [@saoirse](#): > > Where’s the Security Officer here? Well, um, he was marooned on the planet with Sulu. Yeah, that’s the ticket! Either that or he’d taken the shuttlecraft out for servicing and hadn’t come back yet. ---
**Author:** ![Dob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-gay-star-trek-characters/353362/48 "2006-04-20T16:02:54Z")
> [@](#): > > It’s as if homosexuality, like obesity and poor vision, is a disease which 25th Century medical science has wiped out. Or, nobody in the 25th century felt a need to have pride parades anymore? The whole question is a bit silly really. Most shows in the 20th century dont have gay roles on them…so? They also dont have Native Americans on them either. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-gay-star-trek-characters/353362/49 "2006-04-20T16:09:03Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > The Intended, also in DS9, was fairly obviously in a relationship with that dimension’s Ezri, I believe (maybe Jadzia) and had the hots for her good-dimension self, but she was generally considered to be evil and kind of insane. She struck me as “trisexual” (as in, she’ll try anything sexual). ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-gay-star-trek-characters/353362/50 "2006-04-20T16:19:23Z")
> [@saoirse](#): > > Has anyone seen this episode recently? Okay the captain sexually assaults her. She goes to sick bay and reports it, and gets an exam. So far so good. Then they have the captain come into the sick bay, while she’s still wearing a torn uniform, and stand over her while she’s sitting down, and contradict her story, and try to get her to change it. I understand it was the 60s, but cripes. Where’s the Security Officer here? Another disturbing bit was Spock’s comment to Rand in the episode finale about the “impostor” Kirk’s “interesting characteristics”. Even allowing for Spock being a bit clueless about human emotions, you have to be a real :wally to make such a comment about a rape attempt . ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-gay-star-trek-characters/353362/51 "2006-04-20T16:38:57Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > We could speculate! (not canon, by any stretch) > Geordi - Never could get a date, despite being an attractive, intelligent man. Perhaps he gave off a gay vibe? Leah was a fantasy at first, and a dom to his sub when he actually met her. Geordi should’ve experimented. In the final TNG episodes, _All Good Things_, the future Geordi goes to visit Picard in his vineyard. His wife, “Leah,” is mentioned, so one could infer that Leah divorced her husband and married Geordi. ---
**Author:** ![kingpengvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9dc877/32.png) [@kingpengvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingpengvin)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-gay-star-trek-characters/353362/52 "2006-04-20T16:57:59Z")
> [@Steve MB](#): > > Another disturbing bit was Spock’s comment to Rand in the episode finale about the “impostor” Kirk’s “interesting characteristics”. Even allowing for Spock being a bit clueless about human emotions, you have to be a real :wally to make such a comment about a rape attempt . I was just about to mention that as well. His creepy half smile and tone of voice seems to indicate that the whole situation was somewhat amusing to him. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-gay-star-trek-characters/353362/53 "2006-04-20T18:42:49Z")
I’ll admit it’s been a long, long time since I’ve seen Season 3’s _Turnabout Intruder_, but the stuff you guys are describing sounds more like Season 1’s _The Enemy Within_, which actually had Yeoman Rand in it. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-gay-star-trek-characters/353362/54 "2006-04-20T18:47:10Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > In the final TNG episodes, _All Good Things_, the future Geordi goes to visit Picard in his vineyard. His wife, “Leah,” is mentioned, so one could infer that Leah divorced her husband and married Geordi. Ah! That was a _possible_ future, manufactured by Q for testing Picard and Humanity. Recall that was still an Enterprise D in that future, which canon later has destroyed long before that possible future time. (And I said that post was non canon fanciful speculation in the first place.) I LOVE nitpicking! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-gay-star-trek-characters/353362/55 "2006-04-20T18:55:14Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > I’ll admit it’s been a long, long time since I’ve seen Season 3’s _Turnabout Intruder_, but the stuff you guys are describing sounds more like Season 1’s _The Enemy Within_, which actually had Yeoman Rand in it. I am a poor excuse for a Star Trek geek, but I can tell you the ep I’m referring to is where Kirk is split into his good and evil selves by the transporter. A neon cocker spaniel with a horn on its forehead is, too. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-gay-star-trek-characters/353362/56 "2006-04-20T18:58:06Z")
> [@saoirse](#): > > I am a poor excuse for a Star Trek geek, but I can tell you the ep I’m referring to is where Kirk is split into his good and evil selves by the transporter. A neon cocker spaniel with a horn on its forehead is, too. Okay, good. That is definitely Season 1’s The Enemy Within. [http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/series/TOS/episode/68670.html](http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/series/TOS/episode/68670.html) ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Rhosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sir\_Rhosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Rhosis)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-gay-star-trek-characters/353362/57 "2006-04-20T19:39:41Z")
Hell, you oughta read the first draft of “The Enemy Within”–it’s Rand who makes the comment about the evil Kirk’s “interesting qualities” there!! Can’t believe Matheson actually tried to put those words in her mouth. Sir Rhosis ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-gay-star-trek-characters/353362/58 "2006-04-20T20:15:06Z")
> [@Dob](#): > > Or, nobody in the 25th century felt a need to have pride parades anymore? The whole question is a bit silly really. Most shows in the 20th century dont have gay roles on them…so? They also dont have Native Americans on them either. :dubious: Yes, and both omissions are highly significant. That of homosexuals more so, because they are more numerous, and more likely to be found wherever you may go. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-gay-star-trek-characters/353362/59 "2006-04-20T20:50:59Z")
> [@Sir Rhosis](#): > > Hell, you oughta read the first draft of “The Enemy Within”–it’s Rand who makes the comment about the evil Kirk’s “interesting qualities” there!! Can’t believe Matheson actually tried to put those words in her mouth. He tried to make it _Sleeping With The Enemy Within_, did he? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-gay-star-trek-characters/353362/60 "2006-04-20T21:14:22Z")
> [@Sir Rhosis](#): > > Hell, you oughta read the first draft of “The Enemy Within”- Richard Matheson? Cool. Where did you find the draft? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-gay-star-trek-characters/353362.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-gay-star-trek-characters/353362.md?page=4)