Gender, Sexuality and Science Fiction in Star Trek

Gender, Sexuality and Science Fiction in Star Trek Brendan, Joey, Kat, Aditya, Idia Homosexuality in Star Trek’s “The Host” Background on homosexuality in the United States (approval of homosexuality) ● 1970s-1980s, rate of homosexual disapproval was 70% ● In 1991 (year that The Host was aired) 71% of Americans believed that sexual relations between two adults of the same sex was always wrong ○ Only 14% answered ‘not wrong at all’ ● 1989, 34% considered homosexuality to be an acceptable alternative lifestyle Yang, Alan S. “Trends: Attitudes Toward Homosexuality.” The Public Opinion Quarterly, vol. 61, no. 3, 1997, pp. 477–507. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/2749583. Survey Results of the Legality of Homosexuality ● 1991, ≈ ⅓ of Americans believe that homosexual relations between consenting adults should be legal ○ 50% believe that homosexual relations between consenting adults in the privacy of their own homes should be legal ● 1992, 54% of Americans believe that homosexuals should not be hired as elementary school teachers ○ 40% of Americans believed that school boards should have the right to fire teachers who are known homosexuals The Host ● Odan and Dr. Crusher fall in love with each other ● Odan is a Trill ○ A species that lives within its host’s body ● Trailer Ending scene: 41:35-end Discussion: What is this episode trying to say about American society in 1991? "Perhaps it is a Human failing, but we are not accustomed to these kinds of changes” “Perhaps, someday, our ability to love won't be so limited." “Odan, I do love you. Please remember that” Angel One ● Good intentions ● Points out problems in a society that is run with a gender imbalance ● Points out some negative gender roles that are often accepted without thought ● Some redeeming moments that address real situations that women ● Background deal with ○ One of TNG’s most controversial ○ Video episodes ○ Excuse of “helping” by reducing ○ Recognized as one of more sexist responsibilities episodes of TNG, which is generally ● Bechdel Test considered to be a significant improvement from the Original Series Problems with the Gender Roles on Angel One ● Angel One Women ○ Seem to indicate that women aren’t suited for power ■ Likens women in power to “men-hater” feminists ○ Entire society thrown off by arrival of traditionally masculine men ○ Take no substantial part in progressive movement ● Angel One Men ○ Given no attention in episode ○ Meek and submissive portrayal ○ Controversy Problems with the Gender Roles on Enterprise ● Enterprise Women ○ Clothing hypocrisy ■ Marina Sirtis quote ○ Not very influential ○ Dr. Crusher subplot ● Enterprise Men + Ramsay ○ Come in to save the day “Angel One” Discussion Questions ● In what ways could this episode have created an alien society that better conveyed the intended messages? ● How is this alien gender role reversal able to accurately represent our gender roles? How does it fall short? ● What is the difference between portraying women with typically masculine traits and portraying typically feminine traits as equally valuable to those that are masculine? ● Should we analyze media of the past with today’s standards of tolerance and offense? What are the benefits/harms to doing so? The Outcast: Star Trek the Next Generation The Outcast deals with the J’naii, an androgynous alien race. The J’naii believe that any sort of sexual permanency with regards to male or female is ‘perverse’. This is quite similar to the premise of the planet Gethen in The Left Hand of Darkness. The was intended to be a comment on LGBTQ issues-- this is especially evident from the social and judicial conflict between the J’naii normative J’naii and the outliers. There is a forbidden love between Riker and Soren. The Episode makes a clear stance in its penultimate scene. Question: Is the character of Soren portrayed as too feminine? How does that affect how we view the episode? Would the episode be accepted if the actor was male? Since the episode is pro-LGBTQ, should it have been more daring in its stance and presentation? Interesting: Worf’s views on the J’naii. Why were they included? Controversy: “Treatment” and Androgyny Why did the producers of Star Trek show the reparative treatment to work? Was Soren actually shown to have been “cured” or was she acting? Why doesn’t the show directly address homosexuality, or have Riker or Soren even address the topic? ----------------- Does the episode do justice to an imagined genderless world? Why is androgyny explored only relative to the gendered world? Can it be explored not relative to genders but as an entire object of its own? Women of Star Trek Nyoto Uhura - Defied Societal & Gender Norms Tasha Yar Kathryn Janeway Deanna Troi Jadzia Dax Types of Science Fiction ❏ Science fiction is described as a genre that has the power to literize metaphor. ❏ There are many different types of science fiction. ❏ The genres that make up speculative fiction are science fiction, fantasy, supernatural horror, superhero fiction and related genres (utopian literature) ❏ Science fiction build worlds that capture something true yet (USS Enterprise) unrepresentable in the literary mode of realism. Stereotypes Within Science Fiction ❏ The norm in science fiction revolves around the main character or characters dealing with an arch rival or foe. ❏ Gender is another large and commonly used stereotype. ❏ Many writers have chosen to write with little or no questioning of gender roles, instead effectively reflecting their own cultural gender roles onto their fictional world. ❏ On the other hand, there are plenty of other writers who have chosen to use science fiction and non-realistic formats in order to explore cultural conventions, particularly gender roles. Portrayal of Gender in Science Fiction ❏ Women- Often times in science fiction the woman is portrayed as the “damsel in distress”. Usually provocatively dressed, physically attractive and require the validation of a male character. There have been female-identified characters in forms of strong woman warriors, or even as a main character who can think for herself and As more and more readers and fans of science fiction become female identified, the portrayal of female characters changes just as speculative fiction changes. ❏ Men- Many male protagonists of science fiction are reflections of a single heroic archetype, often having scientific vocations or interests, and being "cool, rational, competent", "remarkably sexless", interchangeable, and bland. Critics argue that much of science fiction fetishizes masculinity, and that incorporation of technology into science fiction provides a metaphor for imagined futuristic masculinity. This is the case because in other genres, very often the wanted or sought after idea is feminine. Portrayal of Gender in Science Fiction (Continued) ❏ Single-Gender Worlds: Utopias and Dystopias- Single-gender worlds or single-sex societies have long been one of the primary ways to explore implications of gender and gender differences. In speculative fiction, female-only worlds have been imagined to come about by the action of disease that wipes out men, along with the development of technological or mystical methods that allow female parthenogenetic reproduction. On the other hand all male worlds are not as common due to a world free of women is not attractive to an audience. Type of Science Fiction in Star Trek ❏ The type of science fiction in Star Trek is Fantasy and a bit of Superhero fiction. ❏ Star Trek also uses many of the obvious stereotypes found normally in science fiction work. (Male, Female and also transgender) So long!.

Load more