The most beloved and iconic LGBTQIA+ characters from the Star Trek universe are getting a special all their own. The Star Trek franchise is home to some of the most compelling LGBTQIA+ characters in pop culture, including Mister Sulu, Doctor Culber and Beckett Mariner. Now, ScreenRant is excited to announce Star Trek: Celebrations, a forthcoming one-shot featuring stories by today’s top talents intended to shine a light on the franchise’s “badass” LGBTQIA+ heroes.
Speaking exclusively to ScreenRant, IDW and Star Trek Senior Editor Heather Antos reveals more information about Celebrations, set to arrive on May 29 ahead of Pride Month, June 2024. The book will feature stories by Vita Ayala, Mags Visaggio, and Steve Orlando, among others. The book ships with a Paulina Ganucheau cover, included below, showing the franchise’s LGBTQIA+ characters, such as Seven of Nine and Paul Stamets. Antos explains that Star Trek: Celebrations is grounded in Trek creator Gene Roddenberry’s original vision of a future in which diversity is celebrated–hence the title.
Antos teased some of the most expected stars to get their stories told in the one-shot, but regardless of who populates the pages, the overall mission of the special is perfectly in line with the very heart of Trek:
“What is Star Trek, if not the idea of celebrating the best of us, right? The best of humanity, and coming together. There’s a really great quote from Gene Roddenberry that that’s the future he wants to see: a future where we are all not just tolerating one another, but celebrating one another.
That is the intention behind Celebrations, and where we get the title from. It’s wanting to celebrate the badasses of the Star Trek universe, whether that’s Culber and Stamets, whether that’s Mariner, whether that’s Seven and Raffi… there’s so many characters that we’re going to get to see explored here by some incredible, incredible writers.”
Star Trek Has Boldly Gone Forward in Diversity & Representation
The concepts of inclusion and celebrating diversity have been warp and woof in the Star Trek franchise since its premiere over 60 years ago. The original Star Trek featured a Black woman and an Asian man in prominent positions, and newer entries have continued to break new ground in representation. Many classic Star Trek episodes, from across the franchise, deal with the evils of racism and bigotry, and send to fans a message of tolerance and hope.
Sadly, Star Trek was behind the curve when it came to LGBTQIA+ issues, and it was not until 2016’s Star Trek Beyond that a canonical gay character was introduced. Since then, shows such as Discovery and Lower Decks have introduced many excellent LGBTQIA+ characters. Other characters, such as Nurse Chapel and Seven of Nine, who were coded, have come out as well. Star Trek’s commitment to a world where homophobia and transphobia are things of the past has earned them nominations and awards from GLAAD as well as the love and respect of fans worldwide.
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Star Trek fans have long speculated that Tasha Yar was an early queer hero, and while it took decades, the franchise eventually agreed.
Star Trek: Celebrations Will Honor the Franchise’s LGBTQIA+ Icons
Star Trek Promises a World Free of Homophobia and Transphobia
And Star Trek: Celebrations brings these “badasses” into the spotlight, giving them brand-new stories from some of the best LGBTQIA+ creators working today. IDW is keeping the entire creative team and stories included under wraps for now, but with acclaimed creators like Ayala, Orlando, and Visaggio famed for telling great stories, the results will be nothing less than amazing. Star Trek has made enormous strides in the realm of inclusion, particularly for the LGBTQIA+ community, and now the badasses are taking the spotlight in Star Trek: Celebrations.
Fans of Trek should stay tuned for more news coming from our preview with Antos, but can waste no time in marking their own calendars for the arrival of Star Trek: Celebrations on May 29th, 2024 from IDW Comics.
