TV Discussion Homosexuality in Star Wars Television

Thank you!

I've heard of Good Luck Charlie, but never actually seen it. Is the show still on?

The unspoken boogeyman surrounding the idea of lgbt representation in children's programming is the fear of boycotts and economic retaliation. Considering public support for same-gender marriage has outstripped opposition in- what, five or so years? Soon (if not already) the economic impact of bigotry and discrimination is going to flip in similar numbers.

I personally know two gay families with children. I can't speak to it being the average situation, but both skew towards higher income brackets and consume quite a bit of entertainment. And while my family would be considered more traditional, our (and most of our friends/extended family) support media and companies that in turn support equality.

I guess my point is that very recently discussions like this were purely theoretical. What-ifs are fun, but subtext doesn't help gay kids identify with the characters and universes they love. Not in the same way others have for decades. I know plenty of folks write off that concept as petty but stories change lives, open imaginations and give kids and adults both ideals to aspire to. Maybe we're not there yet with Star Wars, but if not, then it feels like we're pretty darn close.

Thanks again for the welcome!

 

Coocoo for Lekku

No, it got cancelled I think. But the clip is still up on youtube.

That's very true. I think that with shows, most recently Legend of Korra that have homosexual characters; it really does help move things forward. And if Disney can have a gay couple in Good Luck Charlie, then perhaps they should think about suggesting it to Lucasfilm and Dave Filoni if they haven't already. I mean, I think Tiya ( Sabine's voice actress) posted a tweet a few months back where she openly stated her support for LGBT. So, they would have her support if Sabine is gay.

You're welcome. Nice points one again by the way.

 

Isnt Palpatine gay?

 

Was he? I sorta remember that being a thing in Legends. I could be mistaken though.

 

Palpatine was very gay!

 

Of course this is a thread.

And of course it's about Sabine being gay.

Guys you know tomboy doesn't always mean lesbian, right?

 

We know that. And it didn't have to do with her being a tomboy. She's an amazing role model already. And it would be awesome if she was gay. Because she's a strong woman who doesn't care what other people think. There are gay children, teens and adults who would draw comfort and support if they saw someone on a show they love with the same sexuality as they were and no one was treating it as something 'different'.

We've also talked about the possibility that Zeb could be gay. But this is more or less about homosexuality in Rebels then anything else. It's fun.

 

I'm certain everyone here is well aware of that. In fact, I'd say Hera with her coveralls and goggles better fits the tomboy mold. Whatever the case, it's not a matter of stereotypes- a character's behaviors don't necessarily indicate anything about their sexuality. It's more a matter of seeing her rebuffing Ezra's flirtation coupled with the ongoing hope of seeing a gay/lesbian character represented in the cannon universe.

In point of fact, Sabine defies a lot of stereotypes, which makes it all the more compelling to think of her being a break-out gay character.

 

I'm struggling to understand why this is even a discussion? If they decide to throw homosexual characters into the series, then so be it. If and when it happens, we'll see how it plays out. But, I personally don't see Disney going out of its way to make an overt social statement on a sexual topic - particularly with an action series cartoon which is primarily made with children in mind. Heterosexual or homosexual.

And, historically speaking, we have 2 significant romantic relationships explored in Star Wars:

* Anakin & Padme (necessary on some level to explain where Luke and Leia came from)
* Han and Leia (a couple of fairly innocent kisses and some minor flirtation - conceived to provide a side story line and better separate her from Luke and help to retro-actively set up Luke being Leia's sister)

I wouldn't expect Star Wars to be the platform for some ground-breaking venture into the world of explicit homosexuality in movies of this genre. Just my opinion. If I'm wrong, we'll see what it turns out to be...

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Well, Disney already had a gay couple on Good Luck Charlie. So they've already done it lol.

Anyway, I think it's good. Because that way it's shown that no matter a persons sexuality, they are normal and will be treated like everyone else.

 

It always makes me a little sad that folks assume the desire to see lgbt representation actually has anything to do with "explicit homosexuality." It strikes me as cruelly dismissive.

Yeah, Leia/Han and Anakin/Padme are the most obvious examples. But there's also Obi Wan/Sabine, Ziro/Sy Snootles, Ashoka/Lux and recently Hera/Kanan Any number of ancillary, barely noticed straight relationships and interactions. Are any of those explicit? The word sex never even comes up. But these relationships are part of the tapestry of the SW world. That's all we're talking about in this thread- the desire to see those same kinds of un-cluttered, normal, every-day interactions. Not explicit, not sex, just...people being people. Unless they're aliens. Or robots. But still people!

The reason this is even a discussion is because people- kids especially- find identity and strength in representation. There are gay kids out there who love Star Wars, who dream of being heroes just like the ones they see on TV, in the movies. Being able to identify with those heroes, feeling like they also have a place in that world, is important. And it's just. And it's about time.

 

It was really only a process of elimination that lead to the discussion of Sabine being a lesbian. Besides Zeb, all the main characters displayed some sort of opposite sex attraction. So if we going to speculate about homosexuality in Rebels there aren't a whole lot of options.

Though if we need a new character to speculate about, I suppose Jai Kell is a possibility.

 

Yeah, I've considered Jai Kell as a possibility as well.

 

The only reason is because she has turned down all of ezra and does not seem intrested inn any guys.

 

Fair enough. When I said that "I wouldn't expect Star Wars to be the platform for some ground-breaking venture into the world of explicit homosexuality in movies of this genre", I was not talking about them being visually explicit in terms of sexual acts. There is obviously never going to be "porn" (if you will) of any kind in Star Wars. I meant more in terms of hitting you over the head with a direct statement on gay lifestyles. I also had said, " But, I personally don't see Disney going out of its way to make an overt social statement on a sexual topic - particularly with an action series cartoon which is primarily made with children in mind. Heterosexual or homosexual." Sexual preference (homosexuality) is a sexual topic, is it not?

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I'd be willing to put some money on Maketh Tua...and her jaunty hat.

 

That face.

 

I think a rock would turn down ezra.

 

She's thinking about her wife Rae Sloane.

 

I apologize for misreading your use of the word "explicit" I definitely see now you meant "overt" and not "xxx"!

But do you see how it seems like a double standard? Sexual preference goes both ways. A gay couple referencing being in a relationship or a gay character saying "You're not my type because I'm interested in X" is no more a matter of sex than Lux kissing Asohka in a moment of panic or Han flirting with Leia. The thinking in these debates always seems to be that heterosexual characters equal romance while any reference to homosexual characterization is overtly explicit (in the EXPLICIT sense) or antithetical to family values.

And truthfully, Star Wars is chock fulla political messages. The questionable morality of war, racism, sexism, slavery, the danger of unchecked political power, zealotry, human (in the broad sense) rights, genocide, on and on. That being said, I don't think this even represents a political message. Love isn't political. People's feelings and the presentation of all humans (again, broadly speaking) as having worh shouldn't be thought of as an agenda.

 

Yes. All very good points. The fact that I am personally heterosexual keeps me from thinking so much about this stuff - particularly as it relates to Star Wars. But, I can definitely see and understand all of that. The most surprising thing that I have learned from this thread so far is that there seems to be far more than just straight males who have an interest in this galaxy far, far away. I suppose that I can see how a gay fan of the series would find it fulfilling to have characters/heroes introduced who they relate to on that level. The more I think about it, gay lifestyles would probably be common in such a diverse galaxy. Hmmm... I have been educated. Thanks for explaining to me how this discussion is both valid and warranted. Cheers!

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We all have trouble looking outside our own perspectives from time to time, but I really appreciate your thoughtfulness on the subject and consideration of this topic and your the great discussion!

I love Star Wars, I love the idea of it being a galaxy of heroes and adventure. And like all great stories I think we all would love to be a part of it and see ourselves in it- or at least, someone like us.

It's a big, diverse galaxy far, far away filled with aliens, droids, Jedi, Sith and any number of variations of limbs, eyes, and colors. It's not that much to think a few of the heroes of Star Wars might also be lgbt- not as a political message or sexual statement, but just because they are.

Thanks again for reading/discussing!

 

I like the idea of Sabine being pansexual.

Or more accurately; EveryonebutEzra-sexual.

 

The Valentine's Day banner is nice. But I think it's missing something...