By Travis Johnson
The first reviews for Star Trek Beyond are still under embargo, but one piece of info has slipped through the Tholian Web of NDAs: in the reboot universe (fans are calling it the Kelvin Universe, after Kirk’s dad’s ship), helmsman Hikaru Sulu, played by John Cho, is gay, and both his husband and daughter are acknowledged.
This makes Kelvin-Sulu the first openly gay character in the history of Star Trek; bisexual characters have been alluded to in the past, but by way of Trills and Mirror Universe counterparts (see both Dax and Kira in Deep Space Nine), which is kind of hedging your bets a bit. Making Sulu gay is also a tip of the hat to actor and gay activist George Takei, who originally played the character.
Takei himself has voiced reservations, however, telling The Hollywood Reporter, “I’m delighted that there’s a gay character. Unfortunately, it’s a twisting of Gene’s creation, to which he put in so much thought. I think it’s really unfortunate.”
Still, representation is a good thing, especially in such a high profile franchise, and Star Trek does have a huge gay following, as Cho noted when he spoke to Filmink recently. “I have found that I live in a very gay part of town and I have seen that there is this very strong gay Star Trek contingent that I wouldn’t have guessed, because it’s not to stereotype.”
