Sulu Is Gay Now: The 23rd Century Just Got a Little More Inclusive

July 07, 2016

Australia’s Herald Sun reports that in the upcoming Star Trek Beyond the character Hikaru Sulu will be revealed as gay. Sulu, played by John Cho, will be the first canonically gay character in the Star Trek universe. The character was originally played by George Takei, who came out as gay in 2005 and has since been an outspoken advocate for gay rights (as well as a star of hilarious viral videos including the time he read 50 Shades of Grey). Cho said that Beyond writer Simon Pegg and director Justin Lin made the decision as a nod to Takei. Star Trek has long been known as a groundbreaker in the realm of diversity. The original 1960s series was among the first on TV to include a multiracial cast, and the very first to televise an interracial kiss. That’s what makes this announcement surprising — not that the character Sulu is gay, but that it took so long to include an out character. What do you think? Is this good news, too little too late, or are you a hateful homophobe who’s terrified that the world is changing? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter @WhatsTrending on Twitter!