In Credence, two gay fathers grapple with sacrificing their only daughter for the sake of the human race.
Billed as the “first sci-fi of its kind to challenge the way gay characters are portrayed in film,” the filmmakers could also use your help finishing the project.
The short film aims to remind sci-fi fans that gay people are just like everybody else, a worthy if not somewhat bland message.
Gay characters are usually portrayed on the sidelines of the main story line (though that is certainly changing) unless the story itself is “gay themed.” Credence wants to change that formula by focusing on two main characters who just happen to be gay.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
It got us thinking about other gay characters in the sci-fi/fantasy genre. Here are our favorites:
Sam Adama, Caprica (Sasha Roiz)
Our top pick has to be Sam Adama in the unfortunately short lived Caprica, prequel to Syfi’s cult remake of Battlestar Galactica. In Caprica, Sam is a rough mob enforcer with a hardened exterior, embodying what you might call a machismo vibe. Except he also happens to be married to a man. How’s that for challenging gay representation?
Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter series (Michael Gambon, Richard Harris)
America’s favorite wizarding professor, seen here showing off the impressive size of his wand, is also a big ole ‘mo. You won’t find any explicit reference to the fact in the books or films, but author and gazillionaire J.K. Rowling has been quoted saying, “I always thought of Dumbledore as gay. Dumbledore fell in love with Grindelwald, and that added to his horror when Grindelwald showed himself to be what he was.” Bam.
Xena, Xena: Warrior Princess (Lucy Lawless)
What is there not to love about Xena? She’s fearless, tough and looks flawless in her paradoxically revealing armor. Rumors were a given as to the true nature of the relationship between Xena and her “companion” Gabriella. The lesbian community embraced the pair, and subtext got more and more overt until they finally shared this tender kiss:
Lafayette Reynolds, True Blood (Nelsan Ellis)
You may be sick of True Blood and secretly happy the show is in its final season, but even the most disgruntled fan shouldn’t have anything bad to say about Lafayette. The line cook/spirit whisperer has style and class and still knows how to get down. He’s in touch with his feminine side without playing stereotypically over-the-top “queeny gay,” reminding us that you don’t have to masc it up to be politically correct with gay characters.
Frank N. Furter, Rocky Horror Picture Show (Tim Curry)
Though it may not initially pop into your head when you think “sci-fi”, Rocky Horror has all the elements of an alien space adventure. That and an utterly strange and sweet transvestite from Transylvania. Tim Curry brings the iconic subversion and genderbending mayhem to the role, and for many of us served as a message that letting your freak out is a valid pursuit.
Here’s the trailer for Credance:
Zodinsbrother
Where is Jack Harkness?
redcarpet
People think of Sci-fi as a genre to be so progressive, but it has a big queer blindspot, ESPECIALLY when it comes to male/male parings. Just look how Star Trek STILL has never featured a gay couple, and any gay relationships on Battlestar Galactica/Caprica were blink-and-you-miss-it. There has been progress over the last 10 years, Stargate Universe did a pretty good job, but it has been slow and a patchwork.
I have yet to see anyone ever even hint at having a sci-fi show with a gay LEAD. Bring up the idea and all you hear is the screech of “sci-fi shouldn’t focus on sex!” as though you were asking for Star Trek: Deep Hole 9 (because anything with a gay lead is automatically porn right?)
Grr. I’m a frustrated nerd.
tardis
@redcarpet: *cough* Torchwood *cough*
*cough* Buffy *cough*
But seriously, I’d like to see a gay lead, too.
barkomatic
It’s true that gay characters are often sidelined in mainstream shows. I was especially disappointed that the latest season of Teen Wolf has basically erased even the sidelined gay characters. The show was hinting pretty heavily that Stiles might be gay or questioning — but boom! He’s super straight this season and is head over heels for his girlfriend. He’s a sidekick and I don’t think it would have been crazy if he had a boyfriend.
I think a lot of straight actors *still* don’t want to play gay roles.
Charlie in Charge
SO these lists are always greeted by a chorus of “But you forgot…” but good glory – no Jack Harkness?!? Torchwood was fantastic for its take on a bisexual devil-may-care hero and the second season had a lot of fun with both his budding love fora team member and turmoil with his ex played by James Marsters.
TVC 15
@redcarpet: I think you mean American/Canadian shows/movies. Captain Jack from BBC’s “Torchwood” was very refreshing, and fun. I actually watched “Torchwood” before I watched the re-booted “Dr. Who” whence he came.
Yes, BSG (probably my favorite recent sci-fi series) missed some great opportunities during the regular broadcast. They kinda made up for it with “Razor” and the webisodes. I would’ve LOVED it if they had explored Gaita and Hoshi’s relationship more during the regular season episodes.
Stargate SG-1, and Atlantis completely ignored queer people, and it wasn’t until SG-U that we got a lesbian relationship. I liked that series, and it was too bad that it was discontinued.
Paco
@TVC 15: I am glad BSG didn’t focus much on the Gaita and Hoshi relationship since they ended up making Gaita a traitor that got executed for his crimes. It would have been a negative portrayal of a gay person. Had they not sent his character down that path, then yes it would have been a missed opportunity.
I’m willing to bet that when Star Trek ends up returning to television, it will finally have a gay character. Hoping anyway.
Paco
@Paco: After thinking further about the BSG remake, my ideal scenario would have been to make Starbuck a gay man. While I thought making the character a woman was interesting and I loved how Katee Sackoff played the role, Starbuck would have been awesome as a gay man. A rough-and-tumble Viper pilot with a close, “It’s complicated”, type of bromance with his straight best friend Apollo, would have been perfect. I guess that is what fan fiction is for though.
Paco
@redcarpet: I would totally watch “Star Trek: Deep Hole 9”. Couldn’t be much worse than the MANY low budget gay movies made with a few lines of dialogue written around the main plot of 2 men in bed.