Star Trek: Discovery innovated its first lesbian marry in episode 5, in a sugared domestic situation between Lt. Stamets and his suitor, Dr. Culber. That time was a long time coming, after Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry wanted to include gay reputations in The Next Generation more than 20 years ago.

CBS announced early on that Star Trek: Disclosure would peculiarity a lesbian marry; bulletin that was mostly appreciated with open arms. But consequently, Stamets and Culber’s relationship caused some reaction when the episode aired. Wilson Cruz, the actor who dallies Dr. Culber, “havent had” calmnes for homophobic viewers. In an persuasive Facebook affix, he celebrated the presence of LGBTQ courages in Star Trek–and explained why homophobes are just injuring themselves by going angry.

” I’m not here for your consolation. That’s not why we are here. We’re now to originate. Star Trek is and has always been here to challenge you to look outside of yourself and to consider other people and other events in yourself. There is no division between you and me. I am only another human causing and receiving enjoy, just like you. That is all.

You can form your Tv off, sure, but you’ll merely be misleading yourself. LGBTQ parties aren’t going to only disappear because you put your honcho in the sand. We share the planet with you. We have always been here. We will always be here. You time don’t want to see us. I’m happy to tell you we won’t be invisible anymore .”

Cruz has plenty of know dealing with this kind of response. Better known for his breakout role as Rickie Vasquez in My So-Called Life , he was just out as lesbian when he was 19 years old. Since then, he’s been a check advocate for LGBTQ visibility, seeing him an ideal option for this persona in Discovery — just like his onscreen partner Anthony Rapp, who determines as queer.

Photo via Wilson Cruz/ Twitter

When Star Trek devotees object to Discovery ‘ s diverse casting selections, it ever reverberates specious. As actress Sonequa Martin-Green pointed out before, diversity is roasted into the core ideologies of Star Trek. The Original Series separated anchor by including a pitch-black both women and a Japanese humanity in the main direct, and while the right has a patchy track-record, it always had progressive goals. LGBTQ representation was just the next step on that journey.