Zachary Quinto on the possibility of gay Star Trek character

{jcomments off}Zachary Quinto has discussed the age old question of whether or not the Star Trek franchise should introduce a gay character or not.

To some fans and indeed cast and crew of the various Star Trek incarnations the lack of a gay character in the franchise is a big disappointment. Over the years fans hopes were raised several times only to be dashed – most notably when the last spin-off Star Trek: Enterprise (which was launched solely as Enterprise before being re-branded later on) launched as there were wide-spread press reports that the character of Malcolm Reed (Dominic Keating) would be gay. However, the press reports turned out to be false though the Star Trek: Enterprise finale did sly hint at the initial reports surrounding the character. Various reasons have been offered up as to why the franchise never introduced a regular gay character including opposition from the studio and fear of a backlash from conservative quarters.

Well with the sequel movie to J.J Abrams 2009 reboot of the film franchise likely to enter production next year attention has once again turned towards the possibility of introducing a gay character. Actor Zachary Quinto, who played Spock in the 2009 reboot, recently discussed the possibility. When asked, in an interview with StarTrek.com, whether it was time for a gay character the actor had this to say “I don’t know the answer to that question. Not just for the sake of having one. But if there’s a way to incorporate that aspect of our social structure in a creatively integrous way, then I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to it. But I’m not a big fan of doing anything just for the sake of doing it, so I think there’d have to be a real undercurrent of purpose if that was the case, and I mean creatively, not just politically.”

Quinto recently came out as gay – while he had been a vocal supporter of gay rights and had recorded a video message for the It Gets Better campaign the actor had never before spoken directly about his sexuality. The actor came out during an interview with the New York Magazine and explained his decision to reveal his sexuality was because of the recent suicide of gay teen Jamey Rodemeyer who had suffered at the hands of homophobic bullies. Quinto wrote on his website ‘In light of Jamey’s death. it became clear to me in an instant that living a gay life without publicly acknowledging it is simply not enough to make any significant contribution to the immense work that lies ahead on the road to complete equality.’

Following his decision to come out the actor spoke of the positive reaction he had received from fans tweeting on Twitter “I have spent the day in awe of this outpouring of support and resonance………I am deeply moved.”

(Via Blastr and Star Trek.com)