So about a month ago, George Takei’s husband, Brad, told me at a convention that the new incarnation of Sulu, played by John Cho, was going to be established as gay. He told me to keep it under my hat, that it was top secret.
Yeah, well, so much for that.
Some fans are crying foul, including George himself, declaring that it flies in the face of Trek continuity. Well, as the guy who wrote “Demora” in which Sulu is most definitely not gay, I’m here to say:
The fans are wrong. Even, with all respect, George is wrong.
In 79 episodes and all the movies, there is simply nothing to establish that Sulu is hetero. Yes, he has a daughter. Neil Patrick Harris has kids, too, so so much for that argument. He only displayed hetero leanings in exactly one episode: “Mirror Mirror” in which he is coming on to Uhura. But that wasn’t our Sulu. That was the Sulu of the mirror universe, and if the mirror Sulu is aggressively straight, then I suppose it makes sense that our Sulu would be gay, right? He’s the opposite, after all.
Sure, it blows my novel out of the water, but the moment they blew up Vulcan, ALL our novels became moot, so it’s kind of late to bìŧçh about it at this point.
What it comes down to is this: if Spock can be romantically involved with Uhura, which was scarcely hinted at in the original series, then Sulu–who never had the slightest romantic relationship previous to this–can be gay.
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I don’t see why Takei is so upset. Number One, this is the Sulu of the reboot timeline. Number Two, can’t either Sulu simply be bi? Or have realized he was gay later in life? Sexuality is fluid, for chrissakes. Sheesh. What happened to Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations and Man is Demora Hot or What and……..ahem…..sorry, I got lost in thought while looking at Jaqueline Kim, who played Demora in Generations. 🙂
As I understand it, Takei’s point is that it implies that the Sulu we knew for decades had been deeply closeted, and he feels that by the 23rd century such things shouldn’t be happening.
I certainly understand and respect that opinion, but I personally think he’s overanalyzing it a bit. As long as it’s presented as a relatively standard thing and not as “Oh my God, look at how gay this guy is!”, it could work out very well.
Based on the trailers, I have enough reasons to be unsure about “Star Trek Beyond” — even if this were on my list of concerns, it’d be very very low on that list.
There’s also the part that Takei doesn’t want it to be that Sulu is gay only because Takei is, and I can certainly see his POV on that.
I can also see Pegg’s POV when he says that nobody will care about a new character being introduced as gay.
They could’ve made any of the other characters LGBT, but they didn’t. They probably should’ve just gone the Jack Harkness route with Kirk: an ‘omnisexual’ who’s down with whomever and whatever.
But, yeah, Sulu being gay is probably going to be the least of this film’s problems.
Events have happened differently in the new timeline, but Sulu would have the same genetics as the original timeline’s Sulu. He may have made different choices in his lifetime, but has the same genes. So, him being gay in one timeline, but not the other implies that his being gay or straight was a choice.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22730310-100-sexuality-is-fluid-its-time-to-get-past-born-this-way/
Or he is just sexually fluid?
And Peter, it doesn’t blow anything out of the water. Not your novel. Not anyone’s. Different timeline.
Actually, it does. The Sulus from either timeline are identical genetically. Sexual orientation is believed to be genetic, not a choice. So if one is gay, so is the other – which means a gay Sulu in the new timeline means the original was in the closet.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2016/07/08/george_takei_is_right_sulu_shouldn_t_be_gay_in_star_trek_beyond.html
Another interesting take…
It depends. Environmental influences of some kind also seem to play a role in the expression of sexuality. Given that Prime Sulu and Kelvin Sulu literally grew up in different universes where each was exposed to different influences, it’s perfectly possible that one Sulu went one way and another went another, each drawing from their genetics.
For that matter, we could imagine one Sulu–both?–being bi. Bisexuality does exist.
I always though Trek missed a great opportunity when they didn’t establish Tom Paris and Harry Kim as a gay couple.
The problem as I see it with Takei’s POV is, no one’s going to a Star Trek movie to see a new character (reference: Ilia, y’know the Deltan in that one movie, never to be seen again), they’re going to see the characters they already know. To introduce a new character as gay would be introduce , y’know, the gay character in that one movie, never to be seen again.
Mr. David,
I feel compelled, with due respect as a student of sorts, to speak up about your proof. While you stated that it is true, that over all those episodes and movies we haven’t seen concrete proof the character is straight, we however learn one very important thing about him over the course of his appearances on Star Trek: He’s very reserved and professional.
Take how his Mirror Mirror duplicate is aggressively hitting on Uhura, a fellow crew member, or how when he got hit with that inhibition virus in “The Naked Time”, he rips off his shirt and starts chasing down people with a sword like a devil-may-care swashbuckling pirate. Neither of these examples are expressly signs he is gay, but they do show the demons and compulsions that Sulu holds back.
I’ve met some people who prefer to keep their private lives private, not out of shame, but just how they are. And to confuse this trait with “doesn’t hit on ladies while at work functions” or “have lady friends he has no interest in” so “he must be gay” is as great of a disservice and rather mean to people of this trait, the same as stating that a girl who is a tomboy must clearly be a lesbian solely based on her interest in more male leaning activities.
I also stand by Takei’s statement that he didn’t want his character “being in the closet” as he had to endure in order to make it in Hollywood at the time. The Federation’s 23rd century was intended to be more advanced and accepting than our time. To have this timeline Sulu reveal himself as gay is a silent accusation that the original Sulu was afraid to be comfortable with himself in a society that was to be incredibly welcoming and understanding. George is correct by pointing out the new ST movies are just a new branching timeline, not an alternate dimension where the characters are more freely to flip around in personality and interests. While he could very well be Bi, and I’d be all for a gay main crewmember on an alternate universe, and yes we could state that the time distortion that caused this new timeline also altered personalities and deep rooted traits of the characters, this road leads into creepy territory reserved for tacky fanfiction that employs “gay rays”, “mind control” and other cheap tactics to get the author’s interests in motion. And that’s great for fanfics, but not so much for paid professional work that has to respect the work previously laid out and by the fans who enjoy it.
Your “Writing for Comics” was a huge inspiration to my writing and editing work, and I remind myself often of your wisdom of “save soapbox stuff for editorials and keep it out of the comics” and “have all those topics serve the story”. Since this was a creative choice done to honor George and he outright said that between him and Gene, that Sulu was straight, at what point does this sudden character change serve the story narrative if it’s only going to be a few throwaway lines that won’t be used at all in the story?
If it was possibly done for build up against the villain who says the Federation is a problem and he could say “No, you’re wrong, we accept everyone without fear…” or some such dialog, I’d be more inclined to feel there was a purpose serving the story and accept it more beyond the film crew busting out a checklist they felt compelled to fill out.
However, since I’m sure that’s not the case (could be wrong – haven’t seen the movie just yet but the arguments for it aren’t pointing to that conclusion) those who wanted to honor George Takei should continue doing so by honoring and respecting his wishes and not thrusting a gift he doesn’t want into his hands. Maybe they could save this for the next Star Trek movie where we get a new helmsman and it serves a small role in the story much like Uhura’s relationship with Spock in the first two.
Thanks for your time and keep fighting the good fight.
Here is where you lost me: when you put quotes around the words “therefore he must be gay.” I never said that. Indeed, it drives me nuts when people attribute quotes the things that I never said. All I said was that there was nothing in the history of the series to establish that he was straight At no point did I say that he just had to be gay. Please, in the future, do not attribute things to me that I did not say as proof of a point you’re trying to make.
Apologies. I was not out to put words into your mouth, nor tell others that’s what you said. Being that this is your blog I was hoping you knew what I was inferring to in regards to this thought –
“I suppose it makes sense that our Sulu would be gay, right? He’s the opposite, after all.”
Right, that I said. Because I was referring specifically to the overt horn dog Sulu of the mirror universe and was therefore supposing that if our Sulu was the opposite, then arguing that he was gay kind of tracked. That is a far cry from your attributed quote in which you say that I asserted that because Sulu showing interest in women was never depicted, therefore he must be gay. Never said that or anything remotely like that.
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“Take how his Mirror Mirror duplicate is aggressively hitting on Uhura, a fellow crew member”
That’s the mirror universe duplicate, though. The counterparts of characters we know are shown as behaving differently in different universes. The Mirror Universe versions of Leeta and Ezri Tigan are shown as being attracted to each other, for instance. Or is that universe one where the two women were attracted to each other?
“…and if the mirror Sulu is aggressively straight, then I suppose it makes sense that our Sulu would be gay, right? He’s the opposite, after all.”
Or…maybe Sulu was only into white women, but Sulu of the mirror universe was into black women, hence, coming on strongly to Uhura.
Just throwing it out there…
http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Hikaru_Sulu#Uhura
I notice some people see a link between Uhura and Sulu in more than the mirror universe episodes. To a point that some see him as harboring somewhat of a crush for the woman through a few episodes of the series, before turning into a friendship by the movies. The mirror universe episode just magnified his reaction to her, that he normally kept to himself in the prime universe…
There are actually multiple reasons for the mirror-Sulu’s action. The one that’s my favorite is that the toxic masculinity that the Mirror Universe drips with pretty much enforces conformity to a misogynist set of behaviors, particularly among underlings. And being in the closet in the mirror universe would NOT be that surprising.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2016/07/08/george_takei_is_right_sulu_shouldn_t_be_gay_in_star_trek_beyond.html
Another infesting take.
ITEM: It would seem that George Takei – who apparently spoke with Gene Roddenberry on the matter – would be the most qualified to discuss the specifics of Hikaru Sulu… in the previous universe.
ITEM: Like it or not, this IS the new universe, with all the foul ups that aren’t accountable to the time change (e.g., what happened to James Kirk’s older brother?)
ITEM: Sulu, being younger than Captain Kirk, is fully in the grip of this new universe, whether it sucks or not.
ITEM: WHY IS HIS SEXUALITY ANY POINT OF DISCUSSION IN STAR TREK? Is this movie series TRULY the correct forum to highlight this?
ITEM: I still feel that J. J. Abrams completely screwed up Star Trek and does not get it.
Please write more Star Trek novels, Mr. David. I miss it.
As to your penultimate item, Star Trek has always been about inclusiveness and tolerance. So to have Sulu be gay (indeed, to be part of a married gay couple raising a daughter) is right in line with that, just as it was/is to have an Iowan, a Russian, a Japanese man, a black woman, and an alien all serving on the bridge together.
Michael, you’re correct. In most Star Trek series, it seems that each character had a turn at a romantic storyline. “Star Trek: Insurrection” even had a strong romantic subplot.
But this seems to be gay-for-gay’s-sake. I feel that Mr. Takei is absolutely right – if you want a gay character, create one. If you want a plotline about a homosexual romance, put one in.
I think it’s exemplified in the first Star Trek movie, where Jim Kirk is in one of those white/green romances. It is not a passing occurrence; it is specifically to demonstrate that THIS James T. Kirk is extremely drawn to intercourse. In character or not? It’s in character for Abrams’ Kirk. (Did you say that’s true for Roddenberry’s Kirk? Ask Uhura, Rand, or Chapel about that.)
It seems very gratuitous, it seems to be controversy for controversy’s sake, and I would hope that any property with “Star Trek” attached to it would rise above that.
COUNTERPOINT: You are quite exactly right about inclusiveness and tolerance. Star Trek has always championed that cause, and more power to them. Shucks, I’ll even go back to the first movie, with Spock and Uhura in passion. It MIGHT be Pon Farr time; we’re not told and I guess it really doesn’t matter.
Eric: “WHY IS HIS SEXUALITY ANY POINT OF DISCUSSION IN STAR TREK? Is this movie series TRULY the correct forum to highlight this?”
Who said it is being “discussed” in the new film? From those who have actually seen the film from the Australian premier it doesn’t appear it’s really made to be a “point” at all and one person even said it was “open to interpretation” with how this is “revealed.”
If I were to guess based on some of the reaction, some of you make it sound like Sulu in the new film has a rainbow colored uniform, exclaims “Sir, enemy vessels off the port side and a really cute guy on the starboard side” while winking to the camera.
“ITEM: I still feel that J. J. Abrams completely screwed up Star Trek and does not get it.”
Nothing is screwed up. Plus, J.J. does not have as much to do with this film, so he should not be part of the hatred here.
Peter is correct here.
Actually, in the Star Trek cartoon episode The Magicks of Megas-tu (as a Trekkie since the original series, I declare the cartoon series to be canon), Sulu magically creates a beautiful girl and tries his best to embrace her.
Okay, Peter easily trumps my Trekkie declaration. But I wrote a doubletalk fanfic on how Sulu can be straight in Roddenberry’s universe, and gay in J.J. Abrams’.
https://davemstrom.wordpress.com/2016/07/09/sulus-gay-trek/
There could be all kinds of reasons, slight genetic variations, or some sort of minute cosmic anomaly could maybe be responsible for Sulu being straight in the original timeline, and gay in the new one. I personally reach a point where I see that its all fiction, so I figure its the eye of the beholder. Mr. David, there also was a DC Star Trek comic you wrote with Takei himself that was a romance where the woman Sulu loves sacrifices herself for some innocent hostages. I don’t have my copy anymore, and don’t remember all of it, but I remember I liked it.
Looks pretty horny for Ilia in this scene, Peter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJCIW2iF7Zo
Since they could make where Kirk was born different, since they could make the Enterprise design so radically variant, since they could cause Starfleet deflector shields to become useless, since they could cause a love affair between Spock and Uhura, I see no reason why Sulu being gay in this alternative universe isn’t also the fault of Nero and the Narada.
I’m not sure that this does blow _The Captain’s Daughter_ out of the water. As I recall it, Demora’s conception was a consequence of Sulu’s one-night stand with an exceptional woman, a charismatic adventurer who he never saw again. I don’t see any automatic conflict between this news and your novel: Susan Ling may simply have been exceptional in more than one way.
Wait…so you weren’t hinting in ‘The Captain’s Daughter’ that a heterosexual liason would be unusual for Sulu? I mean, it’s been a while since I read it, but I very much got the vibe that he wasn’t all that interested in women, and that if not for the very unusual circumstances of Demora’s conception, he probably wouldn’t have gotten involved with her mother at all.
I’m not kidding or being facetious, here, just to clarify–I thought it was written as a subtle nod to George Takei’s sexual orientation, and a suggestion that while Sulu may be a bit flexible, he doesn’t see himself as straight. I guess I was just reading things that weren’t there. But now they are. 🙂
If I’m understanding things correctly. The new TV series on CBS.com, will not be based in the new continuity of the reboot movies, but the old continuity of the TV shows and movies. (With only “Enterprise” being the one show solidly in both continuities) Even new-Spock hypothesized that Nero’s actions didn’t change history, but created a parallel reality.
So “continuity” be darned. Sulu could be somewhat different in each universe. Though it will conflict with those who believe that sexual preference is biologically determined.
But classic-Sulu, like so many in the original series other than Bones, Kirk & Spock, are under-developed supporting characters. I wouldn’t mind if this change also reflects on the history of classic-Sulu. There’s not much about his personal life established in continuity to be in conflict. (Similar to how the revelations that the Kobiashi Maru was Spocks invention, and that Spock once had a relationship with Uhura, are one’s I consider revealing new facts about the classic-crew as well as the new one.
Even so I’m glad George was willing to say that he isn’t pleased with the character’s change. It de-politicizes matters if one wishes to disagree with the creative choice. No one can accuse George of having an anti-gay agenda.
In point of fact, there are precisely three things we the public know for sure about the upcoming series:
1: It’s called Star Trek.
2: It premieres this January.
3: If the graphics in the advertisers’ “trailer” are anything to go by, it probably takes place in space somewhere.
All else is supposition and rumor.
George Takei is right that his version of Sulu isn’t gay. However, I think of the Abrams movies as “Earth 2” Trek. Basically he could be in their reality. It does strike me as lazy writing. It might have been more fun if they picked McCoy to be the newly gay one. Sulu just seems too meta because of real life.
I don’t know if it is canon or not but Kirk is supposed to be 4 years older than Sulu. So Sulu was born after the timeline change with the destruction of the Kelvin. The girlfriend of Sulu’s father may have been in the Kelvin so he started going out with Sulu’s mom and eventually married her earlier making Sulu be born 2 years after kirk instead of 4. Different ova different sperm. This is just one possible scenario but the point is that we don’t know if the genetics are the same.
Even if it was, any behavior attributed to genetics is a potential and not a given. The potential may be very strong requiring very little environmental stimuli for the behavior to manifest or vice versa.
In closing, I have no issue with this change to Sulu and I don’t think it implies anything about the Sulu from the original timeline.
Two things: 1. Sexual orientation is thought to have both genetic and epigenetic factors. Epigenetic factors can include chemical exposure, womb temperature, virological factors, etc and even which of the millions of sperm impregnated which egg. 2. Sulu is younger than James Kirk. Now, given that almost everything that happened after the birth is now different. Japanese culture often repeat individual names along with surnames. But one thing has often bugged me about altered or alternate history stories is that no matter how big or small the changes might be the players tend to be the same. The changes cause by the death of George Kirk cause were huge so i find the idea that the exact same sperm would impregnate that exact same egg and exist in the exact same environmental conditions at least four times for people on that ship to produce virtually identical people to be even more ridiculous that Faster Then Light Travel.