Aired May 14, 2020

LGBTQ+ Representation in Fantasy and Sci-Fi

Looking for ways to keep the conversation going about LGBTQ+ issues with your ERG, community group, or PFLAG chapter? Welcome to Something to Talk About, a monthly series designed by PFLAG National’s Straight for Equality program to create conversation about LGBTQ+ issues. Each month we’ll offer an article on LGBTQ+ topics and suggest a few questions you can use to lead a discussion.

We hosted a conversation about this article as a part of PFLAG Connects and Something to Talk About Live on Thursday, May 14. Did you miss it? You can still watch it here!

Have feedback about how your conversation went? Let us know by emailing [email protected].

Article:  Seven Queer Fantasy TV Shows That Will Make You Feel Less Alone

Source: SyFy Wire

Author: S.E. Fleenor

Questions for Discussion:

1. How many of the LGBTQ+ fantasy series on this list have you seen (and more importantly – which is your favorite)? Are there other queer sci fi or fantasy series that you would recommend to friends and family?
2. The author notes that “Sure, technically, Xena and Gabrielle are never a confirmed couple on the series, meaning they never say “WE’RE HERE, WE’RE QUEER,” but I mean, they kinda do?” which brings up the issue of queer-coding in TV and film. Can you share what the phrase queer-coding means to you and/or other queer-coded characters that have had an impact on you?
3. As a self-identified nerd/geek, how does this list make you feel? What would you say to LGBTQ+ youth that self-ID as nerds/geeks or are characterized in that way by their peers?