Is Star Trek homophobic?

[Capt_Pickirk]

Going by the episodes, religion was pretty much there in TOS era but in the TNG era it was sorta swept under the rug and maybe a mention in the ENT era.

I think there's an episode where they show a cross in harry kim's quarters. That could've been an interesting story arc, a Homosexual christian man

 

[Tulaberry whine]

How do we know homosexuality is perfectly normal and accepted in the Trek universe? The show's creators have done a pretty good job of making sure there's absolutely no evidence at all it even exists. And despite the claims to the contrary, a 14-page thread suggests to me that homosexuality is an issue in Trek one way or the other (at the very least for some of its fans).

Nobody is necessarily asking for an afternoon school special - just something that suggests that in 24th century homosexual relations are accepted in the same way heterosexual relations are now and that the petty bigotries these groups are subjected to now no longer exist.

 

[Bishop76]

Actually- this makes me think of one hell of a point. There was absolutely no representation of Catholics, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Budhists, et c... What about them? The world is made up of far more religious people then gay (I'm guessing), yet they received even less representation then gays, lesbians, bi, trans, multis, confused, unknowns, andros, and assexuals!

How utterly unfair.

While you've done a very good job of trolling here, do you have anything to actually contribute to this thread?

I actually think this is a very good point. Why is it trolling to point out that while homosexuals weren't well represented, neither were people of faith? One group has just as much right to complain about lack of representation as another, right? While Patrickivan seemed to be pointing this out in a rather tongue-in-cheek fashion, it has always bothered me that almost all human spirituality, other than Native American spirit guide stuff, seems to have died off.

I'd like to point out again, that this was something Babylon 5 actually wasn't afraid to delve into.

 

[Agenda]

Try it from a religious point of view. There are people and then there is everything else, Land animals, birds, fish, etc., all are "beasts" or "the beasts."

An intelligent species would be people, as long as who you are with qualifies as sapiens, technically there is no beastiality.

There was that one stupid species, the one who kidnapped Geordi, (Paknins?) they might not be good to have sex with.

(The Church would still perfer you were married though)

Actually- this makes me think of one hell of a point. There was absolutely no representation of Catholics, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Budhists, et c... What about them? The world is made up of far more religious people then gay (I'm guessing), yet they received even less representation then gays, lesbians, bi, trans, multis, confused, unknowns, andros, and assexuals!

How utterly unfair.

While you've done a very good job of trolling here, do you have anything to actually contribute to this thread?

Not to mention that what he says isn't even true. There were plenty of references to human religions in Star Trek, mostly in TOS, but even in the other series. Maybe there weren't enough references and maybe some religions were referenced more than others. Maybe it's valid for some people to have an issue with that. But whatever the case, it doesn't mean that Star Trek wasn't negligent in gay representation.

 

[Avon]

i think in the future religion will be abandoned. people won't stop being gay.

 

[Bishop76]

i think in the future religion will be abandoned. people won't stop being gay.

Oh, well if you think so, it must be the case.

No, but seriously, that's retarded.

Edit: For clarification, I meant the religion part of that was retarded.

 

[Avon]

oh, if you think thats retarded, it must be the case.

look at how many people dont believe in religion nowadays. in a couple hundred years you'd have to be real hardcore to still cling to a bunch of lame fairy stories.

 

[Captain Mike]

Anyway, as far as I'm concerned, Harry Kim's panicked refusal of both Seven Of Nine and, later, that Klingon woman in season 7, are sufficient proof that he's gay, albeit repressed, in the closet, and always looking for a beard. So there we go, a gay regular.

I think there's an episode where they show a cross in harry kim's quarters. That could've been an interesting story arc, a Homosexual christian man

Are these your own suppositions? As for Harry's panicked refusal, I understood what those moments were about. I also see it as an shy aspect of the character. He doesn't have the confidence of dealing with women, which he of course panics. That also has to do with self esteem issues...
As a 42 year old male that experienced those kind of situations behaved in the EXACT same manner. Does that mean I am gay?...JESUS!!!!

 

[sonak]

I liked that post about how "a gay christian man" would be an interesting story arc. Dude, do you realize how many gay Christians there are out there? There's nothing unusual or "interesting" about that at all.


I'm not gay or christian and I still know that.

 

[Bishop76]

oh, if you think thats retarded, it must be the case.

look at how many people dont believe in religion nowadays. in a couple hundred years you'd have to be real hardcore to still cling to a bunch of lame fairy stories.

I love all this preaching of tolerance and fairness... until we hit religion. Then suddenly it's fairy tales and magic and you'd have to be a simpleton to believe it.

Very nice attempt to bait me. Unfortunately, I'm not going to bite. I'm an atheist. I am going to point out your remarkable hypocrisy though and the fact that while you say "look at all the people who don't believe in religion" that the vast majority of people are religious or identify with a religion.

I may not believe, but I sure as hell respect the rights of others to believe as much as I respect the rights of the homosexual to love whoever they want to love.

 

[Avon]

shouldn't you respect my right to believe that religion is bullshit then?

 

[Bishop76]

shouldn't you respect my right to believe that religion is bullshit then?

I absolutely do - but I don't support you acting like a jerk about it.

Religion has been around for thousands of years. It's not going anywhere any time soon.

 

[Avon]

nice argueing, we're getting a bit off topic now tho.

to sum up, some religions are homophobic. star trek, not so much.

 

[DonIago]

It could be looked at this way-

Was one religion portrayed significantly more often than any others? I don't really think so, unless you count the made-up religion of the Bajorans.

Was one sexual orientation portrayed significantly more often than any others? Let's think about it...

It isn't discrimination if every aspect of a demographic is being discriminated against equally. That being said, if one wants to feel that Star Trek is "anti-religion" there may be a valid argument there...but then, this thread isn't looking at that aspect of Trek...and as always, there's the "if that aspect of the franchise is so bothersome for you, nobody's forcing you to watch the show" argument.

 

[Capt_Pickirk]

Are these your own suppositions? As for Harry's panicked refusal, I understood what those moments were about. I also see it as an shy aspect of the character. He doesn't have the confidence of dealing with women, which he of course panics. That also has to do with self esteem issues...
As a 42 year old male that experienced those kind of situations behaved in the EXACT same manner. Does that mean I am gay?...JESUS!!!!

I liked that post about how "a gay christian man" would be an interesting story arc. Dude, do you realize how many gay Christians there are out there? There's nothing unusual or "interesting" about that at all.


I'm not gay or christian and I still know that.

Sorry guys

 

[Lonemagpie]

As a 42 year old male that experienced those kind of situations behaved in the EXACT same manner. Does that mean I am gay?...JESUS!!!!

That depends on whether you behave like that at 42, and whether you're name's Harry Kim.

 

[Captain Mike]

As a 42 year old male that experienced those kind of situations behaved in the EXACT same manner. Does that mean I am gay?...JESUS!!!!

That depends on whether you behave like that at 42, and whether you're name's Harry Kim.

I just hate to break it to you and put holes in your "supposition", but I do still act that way with even excellent lady friends of mine (being married now is another reason), and no my name isn't Harry Kim....

 

[Lonemagpie]

As a 42 year old male that experienced those kind of situations behaved in the EXACT same manner. Does that mean I am gay?...JESUS!!!!

That depends on whether you behave like that at 42, and whether you're name's Harry Kim.

I just hate to break it to you and put holes in your "supposition", but I do still act that way with even excellent lady friends of mine (being married now is another reason), and no my name isn't Harry Kim....

Being married is an excellent reason to behave that way (and obviously Harry wasn't) and, since your name isn't Kim then, no, it doesn't mean you're gay.

Unless you're married to another man, obviously.

 

[Captain Mike]

That depends on whether you behave like that at 42, and whether you're name's Harry Kim.

I just hate to break it to you and put holes in your "supposition", but I do still act that way with even excellent lady friends of mine (being married now is another reason), and no my name isn't Harry Kim....

Being married is an excellent reason to behave that way (and obviously Harry wasn't) and, since your name isn't Kim then, no, it doesn't mean you're gay.

Unless you're married to another man, obviously.

Well IMO, niether is Harry....

 

[Nightdiamond]

Beverly may have been caught admitting that because of her sexual preference, she is turned off by other females.

She was obviously anticipating seeing the new host, but changes her expression as soon as she saw it was a female.

This is what she said later;

BEVERLY: Perhaps it is a human failing...but we are not accustomed to these kinds of changes.

........Perhaps... someday... our ability to love will not be so limited.

Character and personality be damned - she didn't even wait to see hers- she was disappointed on sight.

Still, she is allowed to have a her own preference in the 24th century.


Same thing could be said about Data. He is an android whose sexuality was programmed-yet he goes or has gone for women only.

Was there a chance Data might have chosen a same sex partner, or was he deliberately designed to be attacted to women only, by his creator?

When this episode played the first few times, I never really thought about her reaction, but now it takes an interesting new meaning..