Heya fellow Wookieepedians, happy Pride month! Today, I'd like to dive into a discussion about the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters in the Star Wars universe and touch on Wookieepedia’s ever-improving coverage of these characters on our articles.
Over the years, our beloved franchise has evolved to incorporate diverse characters that reflect a mode diverse community. Drafted with the help of some other contributors, this post to delve will into the portrayal, significance, impact, and future possibilities of queer representation in Star Wars, examining both past and current examples.
Beginnings
The original trilogy, released in the late 1970s and early 1980s, did not feature explicitly confirmed queer representation. However, the richness of the Star Wars universe and the interpretive nature of fandom have allowed for queer-coded readings of certain characters.
"There's a fluidity to Donald and Billy Dee Williams' [portrayal of Lando's] sexuality. [...] I mean, I would have loved to have gotten a more explicitly LGBT character into this movie. I think it's time, certainly, for that, and I love the fluidity ― sort of the spectrum of sexuality that Donald appeals to and that droids are a part of."
- Jon Kasdan, in an interview
One such character was Lando Calrissian—his flamboyant personality and charming demeanor had led some fans to interpret him as queer-coded, showcasing the potential for diverse representation. After the canon reboot, he’s been included on a Pride month variant cover of a comic as part of a series of covers released to celebrate in June. As also mentioned by Jon Kasdan, one of the writers of the 2018 film Solo: A Star Wars Story, an effort was made to include these aspects of his character's identity.
In games such as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, a 2003 release, characters such as the Jedi Guardian Belaya were introduced to the Legends continuity as openly identifying as queer. On Wookieepedia, her article was the Pride WookieeProject’s first featured article, completing the process in March 2022.
The canon reboot
With the advent of the new canon era and the reimagining of many aspects of Star Wars lore, the franchise has taken notable steps toward fostering more LGBTQ+ representation.
Some of our editors’ favorites include:
Doctor Chelli Lona Aphra: Dr. Aphra, first featured in the 2015 Star Wars: Darth Vader comic series, is depicted as a complex and strong female character. Her romantic relationships throughout the many stories she's been in since--including two of her own comic runs kickstarted in 2016 and 2020 respectively--add depth to her narrative and challenge traditional stereotypes.
Vigilante Tam Posla: Also featured in the Star Wars: Doctor Aphra comic series, Posla is portrayed as a well-defined and unique character. His relationship with the mercenary Caysin Bog was touching and heartfelt, and both cared for each other. On Wookieepedia, Posla’s article is currently nominated for Featured article status!
"I was afraid, before I left Kamino. We don't really know what happens to unusual clones. But my brothers never let me doubt. I wasn't sure if the Jedi would understand."
"The Jedi are all about transcending things. I don't think we can complain if you've transcended gender."
"Transcended gender. We'll work on it, but I like where it's heading."
- Sister and Anakin Skywalker, Queen's Hope
The clone trooper Sister served with Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padawan Anakin Skywalker on some of their first engagements in the Clone Wars. She expressed her happiness in her brothers’ affirmation of her identity, and artwork commissioned by her creator, the author E. K. Johnston, to depict her had her armor painted in the colors of the trans flag.
Further representation in story arcs
Star Wars: Resistance: This animated series introduces Orka and Flix, two lovable alien characters who were in a romantic relationship. They ran the Office of Acquisitions on the Colossus platform, and their relationship is portrayed with warmth and respect, reinforcing the idea that love knows no boundaries.
In the Star Wars: The High Republic multimedia project, several stories include characters that promote further diversity, including Kantam Sy, Terec, Ceret, and many more.
The Queen’s trilogy by E. K. Johnston weaves a rich tapestry of characterization around many characters that only ever briefly appeared in the prequel trilogy. We see Saché and Yané, two of Queen Padmé Amidala’s handmaidens, happily married and caring for children together on Naboo. These novels also include the trans clone trooper Sister; and the non-binary aide Tepoh, who uses zhe/zhem pronouns. Both of the latter articles are complete here on the Wook!
Star Wars: The Aftermath Trology - As a novel series that began publication in 2015, these works feature some of the earliest representations of new LGBTQ+ characters introduced after the canon reboot. The pirate Eleodie Maracavanya, the wives Shirene and Esmelle, and Conder Kyl and Sinjir Rath Velus’ relationship do quite a lot to enrich the Star Wars universe in these stories woven after the Battle of Endor and leading up to the Battle of Jakku.
In the Disney+ live-action series Andor, the rebels' Cinta Kaz and Vel Sartha's relationship added much depth to their stories, and seeing how they navigated maintaining their connection during a time of strife was beautifully done executed and made for a compelling watch.
The growing diversity presented in Star Wars media holds immense significance as it provides representation for members of LGBTQ+ communities who have been underrepresented in other mainstream franchises. Seeing characters who share their identities in a beloved fictional universe can empower and validate fans by showing them they are seen and celebrated.
Here on Wookieepedia, we’re celebrating Pride month in several ways, including through a series of themed tweets from our main account and switching our Discord server's logo to a themed variant. We’ve also continued broadening our coverage of LGBTQ+ Star Wars characters by writing their articles up for the status article review process, and encourage anyone who’d like to help to get involved!
With LGBTQ+ characters contributing to the ever-expanding canon, Star Wars continues to inspire and uplift audiences by showcasing diverse identities and fostering a sense of belonging. As fans, let us celebrate these positive strides, encouraging the franchise to embrace even greater diversity and representation in its future endeavors. Together, we can ensure that the Force of inclusivity and acceptance remains strong in the Star Wars universe, reflecting the diverse tapestry of our own world—Star Wars is for everyone!
Wishing everyone a happy June, and to end off, who are some of your favorite LGBTQ+ Star Wars characters?
