Ten Greatest Gay and Bi Male Characters in Science Fiction

Originally published on AfterElton.com.

Science fiction offers a number of explicitly gay and bi female leading characters, leading transgender and/or gender-fluid characters, peripheral gay and bi male characters, and male leads who are hinted at being gay or bi. Think Willow, Tara and Kennedy (Buffy); Inara (Firefly); Admiral Cain and Number Six (Battlestar Galactica); Karma, Destiny and Mystique (X-Men); Jadzia Dax (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine); and Desire, Hazel, Foxglove and Wanda (Sandman).

Many lead male characters would qualify as bi or gay, requiring either their own expressed awareness of their sexual identity or significant enough mention by others.  Think Boone Carlyle (Lost), who was posthumously mentioned to be bi; Albus Dumbledore, outed outside the pages of Harry Potter; Angel and Spike (Buffy) acknowledging an unexplained past sexual relationship; and Jekyll and Hyde (The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen), both implicitly gay or bi.

But even allowing for the broadest possible definition of “science fiction”, and even expanding the search across TV, film, comics, and video games, this isn’t an easy list to compile. One assumes that the folks behind the sci fi genre, depending on their audience of mostly young straight guys, are consequently timid about fronting their stories with lead gay men, yet comfortable offering lesbians, bi women, and trans characters who mostly have an “excuse,” e.g. alien physiology, shape-shifting, body swapping. Where are all the gay men in this often progressive and thought-provoking genre that otherwise so freely explores social issues in its safely buffered fantasy context?

Dear Star Trek, thanks for forty years of nothing. Yours truly, the Gays.

After scouring decades of major franchises and lesser-known titles, we came up with the following list of the greatest gay and bi male characters. Great characters are defined by the virtues of being unique, fascinating, and greatly significant. In the interest of making these qualities the true DNA of the list, we ignored qualities like fan favorites, sexiness and best gay representations.

#10 - Andrew Wells (Buffy the Vampire Slayer; TV & comics)

Barely qualifying is Andrew from the Buffy and Angel TV series and the current Buffy comics. Surprisingly, the famously gay-friendly series gave us this consistently inuendoed gay (or bisexual?) character, who, despite a wealth of references to his crush on fellow villain Warren and lack of interest in sexy Slayerettes, never quite acknowledges his own awareness of his sexuality, which is also seemingly ignored by the other characters. The geek-turned-villain-turned-good-guy scores points for delivering a lot of the best lines, turning what could have been a standard clichéd geek archetype into a three-dimensional and genuinely likeable queer sidekick. In its first printing, this list was picked up by fansite Whedonesque, where Joss Whedon himself weighed in on the controversy:

“Andrew’s sexuality is always on the cusp of self-awareness because Andrew is stunted emotionally and because it’s hilarious.”

Character Rating 9/10
Significance Rating 2/10
Originality Rating 5/10

#9 - The Cluracan (Sandman; comics)

1989 saw the birth of Neil Gaiman’s extraordinary and historic comic series, The Sandman, which aside from being a critical success and the only comic book to ever make the New York Times Bestseller List, was revolutionary for its time in its presentation of multiple positive LGBT characters. In addition to leading lesbian and transgender characters, The Cluracan was a frequently recurring minor character, though he scores big points for being endlessly fun and uncompromisingly gay in all his appearances. Based on the clurichaun, a drunk leprechaun of Irish folklore, this literal faerie and dashing rogue of Queen Titania’s court frequently indulges in his twin favorite pastimes of drinking and having sex. But, the principle theme of the series is that of storytelling and stories-come-to-life, and the Cluracan can spin a yarn like nobody’s business. Give him a couple drinks and he’ll entertain for as long as he’s conscious, charmingly admitting his own narcissism and tendency towards embellishment.

Character Rating 10/10
Significance Rating 4/10
Originality Rating 6/10

#8 - Parthenon, aka Dan Williams (Who Wants to Be a Superhero?; TV)

The gay contender in Season Two of Sci Fi Channel’s competitive reality series, Who Wants To Be A Superhero scores big points for being a real guy who managed to survive a long time in a reality show based on a genre that is historically not gay-friendly. Hopes were not high following the ousting of season one’s gay entry, Levity, in the pilot episode. Parthenon winning the chance to call his partner, and seeing this paralleled against a straight woman doing the same, was an awesome site to behold. Unfortunately, the character is a little heavy on the clichés: archaeologist finds ancient gauntlet whose gemstones provide superpowers.  Tights and cape ensue. While we love the big P’s generous and benevolent character, he’s gotta work out some better catchphrases than “Bling’s my thing” and “Rock on.”

Character Rating 5/10
Significance Rating 7/10
Originality Rating 3/10

#7 - Ianto Jones (Torchwood; TV)

Alas poor neglected Ianto. Any other sexy bisexual character on national television would be a gay household name, but the competition’s tough when most of the cast, including the lead, are also bi (not to mention sexy). Ianto’s role at Torchwood is intriguing; in addition to playing receptionist and chief coffee brewer, Ianto is also the clean-up guy who neatly disposes of alien kills and covers up team activities to keep the public and authorities from learning about Torchwood’s creepy and occasionally distasteful secrets. Early on we learn that Ianto has a nasty secret in the form of a half-Cyberman (evil cyborg) girlfriend that he’s keeping in the sub-basement of the Torchwood HQ. Needless to say, things don’t work out so well in the most bloody sense imaginable, and Ianto takes on a much less lethal sexual relationship with studly team leader Captain Jack Harkness.

Character Rating 7/10
Significance Rating 5/10
Originality Rating 7/10

#6 - Zorro, aka Ramón “Bunny” Wigglesworth (Zorro, The Gay Blade; film)

One of the most extraordinary LGBT representations in the history of film lies in the oddball action comedy Zorro, The Gay Blade, in which George Hamilton plays Don Diego de la Vega, his famous counterpart Zorro and Diego/Zorro’s gay twin brother, Ramón. When Diego/Zorro is sidelined by an injury incurred in battle, Ramón’s surprise visit provides an unexpected solution as he assumes the mask of Zorro and becomes a big screen gay superhero… in 1981. Sure Ramón is effeminate, carries a parasol, and is fresh out of the British Navy (a running gay joke in the ‘70s). But to a generation of superhero-worshipping gay kids, he was a revelation. He donned drag as a means to subterfuge, he reinvented the Zorro costume in multicolored lamé, and when the heroine leaned in for a kiss, he asked if they couldn’t just go shopping instead! But Zorro, The Gay Blade was no joke. He decimated the evil Alcalde’s men without breaking a sweat, and by the end of the film, it’s Bunny’s unapologetically gay Zorro who wins the heart of the girl and saves both the straight dude and the town. In an era in which gay characters were firmly relegated to victims and psychos (or both), the gay Zorro was inspirational. And how many superhero films with a lead gay character has 20th Century Fox — or any other studio - released in theaters since 1981? Clip via YouTube

Character Rating 5/10
Significance Rating 10/10
Originality Rating 3/10

#5 - Northstar, aka Jean-Paul Beaubier (The Uncanny X-Men; comics)

In pre-Ellen 1992, the outing of a recognizable comic book character was enough of a big deal to make national headlines. Gay comic fans rejoiced when Canadian superteam Alpha Flight’s mainstay Quebecois came out. Ten years later, he became even more high-profile when he joined the ranks of the insanely popular series, The Uncanny X-Men. Northstar’s powers aren’t the most original.  He’s basically a speedster who can fly and sometimes emit a burst of light, but we give him points for always sporting stylish uniforms (not easy among the colorful tights of comic world). Northstar’s character was well-rounded from his early life as an arrogant antihero who went on to become a successful businessman and now a full-time professor of business and economics at Xavier’s academy.

Character Rating 8/10
Significance Rating 10/10
Originality Rating 5/10

#4 - The Midnighter, aka Lucas Trent (The Authority; comics)

The star of Stormwatch, The Authority and his own eponymous series has been saving the comic book universe for over ten years, albeit at times in fairly grim and violent fashion. (Speaking of fashion, Midnighter wins points for forgoing tights in favor of a trenchcoated, Batmanesque look.) In addition to the more common enhanced strength, speed, senses, reflexes and immune system, our hero also sports a second heart and the ability to determine how a fight will end by calculating over a million possible combat scenarios in his head. The Midnighter is especially notable because, unlike most gay comic book heroes, his gay identity couldn’t be farther from the usual coy approach of implied sexuality. He’s very much out and married to team member Apollo. The pair refreshingly exchange sometimes graphic sexual dialogue, for example, while playing clue (”Colonel Mustard, in the library, with a huge blood-smeared erection.”). The hubby, while equally significant, was passed over for the list because of lack of originality (basically a blond Superman in need of a haircut) and is a somewhat less interesting character (read: more do-gooder, less morally questionable).

Character Rating 8/10
Significance Rating 7/10
Originality Rating 7/10

3. Dr. Frank-N-Furter (The Rocky Horror Picture Show; film)

In the space of 98 minutes this sweet transvestite (from Transsexual, Transylvania) teaches us a thing or two about living in the moment, gender fluidity and how to make a man in seven days. Sure, he’s a psychotic alien cannibal bent on… Well, we’re not really sure what exactly since he spends all his time sleeping with his guests and giving them makeovers. But Tim Curry was nothing short of magnificent in his characterization of the strangely loveable homicidal lunatic. Perhaps what wins us over are his last moments, encompassing a bisexual orgy in a swimming pool under clouds of dry ice, during which he tells us

“Give yourself over to absolute pleasure
Swim the warm waters of sins of the flesh
Erotic nightmares beyond any measure
And sensual daydreams to treasure forever
Can’t you just see it?
Don’t dream it, be it.”

Words to live by, Doc.

Character Rating 9/10
Significance Rating 7/10
Originality Rating 10/10

2. John Constantine (Hellblazer; comics)

Those of you scratching your heads and wondering why Keanu Reeves wasn’t snogging any boys in the 2005 film adaptation should pick up a copy of Hellblazer. Whether or not you saw this film as a sign of the apocalypse, you should know that apart from the name, it has little in common with the two-decades-old comic character who is fully bisexual, very English, blond, avoids the use of weapons and direct fighting, and wouldn’t give up smoking for anything on Hell or Earth. Born in an era of spandexed heroes, Constantine is one of the many truly original creations of legendary English comics writer Alan Moore, whose work includes V for Vendetta, Watchmen, and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. All these titles include LGBT characters, who, like all the stars of Moore’s work, are antiheroes with violent histories. The Constantine we know and love is a deeply complicated character and cynical mystic who thrives on danger and manipulates the people around him into horrifically violent situations in the interests of his humanist principles. Constantine has had both girlfriends and boyfriends. Over one story arc, he is involved in a sexual relationship with a masochistic magnate. The character’s fascinating and unique nature aside, it’s notable that Constantine has starred as the bisexual protagonist of his own comic series that’s been continuously published since 1988.

Character Rating 10/10
Significance Rating 8/10
Originality Rating 9/10

#1 - Captain Jack Harkness (Torchwood; TV)

Okay, big surprise, we know. But there’s a reason why the boys (and girls) are ga-ga over Captain Jack. He’s the explicitly bisexual lead of the international hit TV series airing on BBC Three in the UK and on BBC America in the US. Russell T Davies, writer of the original UK Queer As Folk, created the character for his revival of the long-running Doctor Who series, and Torchwood, an anagram of Doctor Who, is the spin-off of that series. Jack, portrayed by out gay actor John Barrowman, is described as a 51st century, time-traveling con man, a rogue who is secretly immortal and seduces anyone (human or otherwise) for fun or out of necessity. Jack and some of the other characters in the series represent an almost “post-gay” approach to sexual themes, in which sexual identity is represented as fluid and complicated. More importantly, it’s just not a big deal; it simply is what it is. As the series opening reminds us each week, the 21st century is when it all changes; aliens and alien technology are popping up with increasing regularity, wreaking havoc on earth and serving as a metaphor for the life changes we experience given the speed of real-world technological development. The series poses the question - are we ready for all this? The answer is that we’ve got bigger problems than whether someone we don’t know just snogged another person with matching chromosomes.

Character Rating 9/10
Significance Rating 10/10
Originality Rating 10/10

---

Related stuff

• Top Ten Characters We Most Want to Party With (9)
• Torchwood Season 2 on January 26 (2)
• Top Ten DILFs (14)
• Angry Puppy Episode 26: Antihistamines Make Lee Snarky Edition (2)
• 9 Greatest Gay and Bi Female Characters in Sci-Fi/Geekdom (5)
• GLAAD Media Awards Nominees (0)
• Gallery of Gay Action Figures (0)
• Episode 31: Unintentionally Whedon (6)
• Angry Puppy: Episode 15 (Valentine’s Edition) (0)
• Torchwood: Pics of Two Hot Men Snogging (2)