TV Discussion Homosexuality in Star Wars Television

Why glow?

 

TheSilentInfluence probably because kids were still using gay as a joke/slur.

 

I think because some kid was a "special" case and did not have a letter so they made glow.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case.

Oh alright cool.

 

I will not make a statement one way or another about the nature of same-sex relationships. But I do want to point out what the business-owners might consider before introducing such a relationship into the SW universe.

While it may be true that SW has an audience in the homosexual community, I am not sure Rebels -- touted more as a childrens' show -- would be the best place to showcase a homosexual romance. Disney's dalliance with characters who have 2 moms or 2 dads has been very tepid and perhaps not so well-received. I just don't think George Lucas ever envisioned SW as a place to make a statement about sexuality. It might add an interesting dynamic, but it would only appeal to a narrow audience. I tend to think that Disney/Lucas want to hold out their broad appeal, and they know that many viewers have no interest in seeing a homosexual romance; and, for better or worse, many parents would stop their children from watching the show if it appeared.

Just some thoughts.

 

George Lucas no longer has any say in what happens in Star Wars. Not since he sold the franchise. As for Disney, the only time it wasn't so well reviewed by a few individuals was in Good Luck Charlie; where a little girl had two mom's. But that was only a small number in a large audience. Most people are now in support of Same Sex marriage/couples/families and won't see anything wrong with it being shown on television. In fact, more shows aimed towards a younger audience; Disney or not have same sex couples in them such as Legend of Korra and Steven Universe.

Getting back to Disney though, the new books that have come out as part of the new canon already have homosexual characters that are presented openly and casually from all walks of life. That has also been well recieved. And it's not to make a statement, it's to appeal to people of all kinds and make them feel accepted, to show that they are important too. That they won't be left behind as the Star Wars Universe expands and grows in a new direction. Disney has no problem with homosexuality, and they are making it more and more know however slowly.

If there was a gay character in Rebels I doubt it would matter to the majority of people that watched it or the kids that watch it. There are some people who would disagree but why should that matter? The people who love the show would be far louder and it would bring forth even more fans.

And lets say for example a child who was gay was watching the show, saw that there favorite character was gay and felt so much more accepted because Disney and Star Wars reached out and said "Your not alone. Being gay is okay. Look how strong this character is, how brave, how kind. And oh yeah, they like the same sex too". It shows the child that being homosexual is normal. It helps them feel better about themselves.

 

If

I suppose only time will tell. We'll have to see how comfortable and accepting Disney and Co Are as future episodes and movies roll out. I don't quite share your optimism, but I Admire you for it. Question, though: does Lucas have no input even in an advisory capacity?

 

No he doesn't. Literally the only thing Lucas has in Star Wars is the name Lucas Arts. He has no more input than you or I now.

 

I'm

Thanks for the reply. I had read an article quite some time back (I think it was in Time) that left me with the impression that he still had some manner of input, even though Disney now has the last word. I wonder if he ever regrets his decision, but I guess that's a topic for another thread.

 

I hope we can get to a point where this is the norm rather than the exception, not just for LGBT characters but for characters with disabilities and other underrepresented groups. If a gay character was featured in Rebels (which isn't a massive stretch considering Ferus Olin was written as gay in his YA novels) I'd hope it wasn't made a big deal out of in the show and was just viewed as being totally normal.

 

Perhaps this won't make me popular, and I mean no disrespect, but here are some thoughts from a different perspective.

While I understand that there is a large community of LGBT fans of Star Wars, I believe that there is also a large number of Star Wars fans (self included), who do not believe that the LGBT lifestyle is an acceptable alternative to the traditional family.

So, while one portion of the audience may applaud something as progress, another portion of the audience may struggle with a message that intentionally makes a political statement about the LGBT issue that said audience does not agree with.

So, for those reasons, my vote would be for Star Wars to not be used as a political platform.

Respectuflly.

In Christ forever,
Mike
John 3:16

 

But it is okay for you to use political and religious platforms to restrict potential creative content?

 

There's no such thing as a 'traditional family.' because the fact is children are born into and adopted into all types of families. Single parents, two moms, two dads, a mom and a dad etc. Some kids only have other kids to rely on as family. That doesn't mean it isn't normal. It's just life.

Secondly being gay isn't a lifestyle amymore then being straight is a lifestyle. Thats just stereotyping. People don't choose to be gay no more then people choose what skin color they have. Its not a choice. It never has been.

A majority of people now are supporters of the LGBT community and the people that disagree with it aren't going to have that strong of a voice in the media since LGBT relationships are becoming more common in tv shows etc. There are already gay characters in Star Wars canon. It's becoming more accepted and its a wonderful thing because it helps more people feel accepted and loved instead of ignored.

Acceptance and equality, showing that people can be loved for who they are is not a show trying to become a political platform. Its showing that you can be loved for who you are. That you don't need to be afraid. That you are not hated because you like the same gender. We're all the same no matter what, and that can be a really positive message to send to anyone.

 

What I am saying, is that there is enough that everyone can agree on when it comes to Star Wars (i.e. classic literary devices, the epic struggle of good vs. evil, incredible story telling, outstanding visual effects, the list goes on, etc.), that if an effort to gain favor with one portion of the fanbase comes at the expense of another portion of the fanbase, it is a poor decision by those who set the direction of the franchise.

Star Wars has long been built around principles that most people agree on, and that has never caused it to be devoid of creative content.

Respectfully,

In Christ forever,
Mike
John 3:16

 

Love is love, no matter whom it may be between. It's always a beautiful thing.

That said, I totally support Sabetsu if Ezrabine won't happen. Or Bobine. Or Kanera. Or Makallus. Or Gresko.

In fact, yknow what? I love everything. Everything must be loved.

 

It's not about gaining more favor from one group over another, it's about showing that there are different people in whatever world/galaxy your from and that it's okay to be different. It's not a poor decision to show love and acceptance in my opinion. And showing gay characters makes it better. It could rrally help someone of the LGBT community feel like they matter. Like they will one day be happy. That's a very important thing.

 

That fact you feel compelled to reference a Bible quote and "in Christ forever" (in every post) shows you're favouring one group over another. How about you practice what you preach, before lecturing others?

 

I also do not adhere to a Leave It To Beaver definition of "traditional family."

By "traditional family" I am referring to a family unit established by a covenant between a man and a woman vs. an alternative covenant between a man and a man/woman and a woman. I should have explained what I meant. By traditional, I mean only that the marriage covenant has traditionally been experienced between a man and a woman.

So, if something like Star Wars was used as a platform to declare that having more than one wife, having extra-marital affairs, having a marriage with two husbands, should be just as valid as a covenant between a man and a woman, that is going to go against the values of many fans.

So again, what I am saying, is that there is enough that everyone agrees on when it comes to Star Wars. So there is really no need to do something in the story telling that is divisive.

Respectfully.

In Christ forever,
Mike
John 3:16

 

Marriage is no longer between just a man and a woman. It's now between a man and a man, woman and a woman and its widely accepted. There are plenty of churches who are more then willing to marry people in love regardless of gender.

As I said, there are plenty of fans who support the LGBT community and having a gay character or two won't go against any values. Love is love regardless of gender and acceptance is more important then anything. No one should be treated differently because they happen to love someone of the same gender. And a majority of people will just see two people in love.

We should have diversity in Star Wars; always. Because then people are portrayed in a positive light rather then being stereotyped and told they aren't important enough to be in Star Wars because they are homosexual or have a different skin color or culture. We're all equal. And showing that in the media is an amazing thing.

 

I sincerely mention to you that my referencing a Bible verse carries with it no politically charged intentions.

Homosexuals are not my enemy, nor am I theirs. I do believe that our humanity enables us to disagree without being disagreeable.

I reference that verse because of what it says, the hope it brought me, and the hope that it can bring others as well. I was at a terribly rough place in life before Christ found me.

I wish only the best to you though we have different perspectives on this issue.

In Christ forever,
Mike
John 3:16

 

Being gay is not the same as having an extra-marital affair, and lumping them together is frankly insulting asdv

You are of course entitled to your opinion on what a traditional family is, but you also have to allow that people are diverse and that we should show that diversity in the media.

 

MandoArtist

Speaking of Sabine/Ketsu I ship it too. They had some great chemistry going on in their episode.

 

I'm curious to know where a covenant established between a man and a headtailed green alien female starpilot falls on your spectrum of what does and doesn't rub you the wrong way.