Since you asked.
DominicCobb said:
I know it’s name calling but it’s kind of true. How the actual fuck is a gay relationship pandering?Most gay characters I have seen simply say “Look at me, I’m gay, remember that?” and don’t have much character beyond that. I would like that to not happen in Star Wars, and I doubt if they wanted to focus on gay relationships that we would get much more than that.
If it’s a Finn/Poe relationship that wouldn’t be an issue. Clearly those characters have more going on than just their sexuality.
TFA already set up two male characters with a strong bond. There’s nothing to say that they can’t be homo or bi sexual and end up in a relationship. Assuming they’re heterosexual is just heteronormativity which is a type of homophobia.
I assume people are asexual until shown otherwise. I’d prefer not seeing any sexual relations at all in a fantasy-adventure. It’s mostly irrelevant.
Fair enough, but Star Wars is a franchise with a history of romantic relationships. It’s fair to assume we’ll see more. Personally, I don’t have an issue with it. A lot of great fantasy-adventure stories have an element of romance.
Your last sentence is crazy, though. Assuming someone is heterosexual is homophobic? The vast majority of people are heterosexual, I don’t think it’s that big a leap to assume.
It’s not about assuming someone is heterosexual, it’s about assuming everyone is heterosexual. I didnt word it very well. It’s okay to assume Finn and Poe are straight, but to say that they can’t be homo or bi because of that initial assumption is preposterous (not saying you said this at all, I’ve just read it elsewhere).
And if you were gay, do you think a gay relationship in Star Wars would feel like pandering? No, in fact, after 7 gayless episodes (C-3PO and Obi-Wan ambiguity not withstanding) it would feel like Star Wars is finally showing a relationship that you could relate to.
You assume that gay people cannot relate to relationships that are not gay. That’s as absurd as saying I can’t relate to Lando because he’s black.
I’m not saying that. I just think Star Wars should be more inclusive. The fact that in the entire galaxy, across the span of 7 films, there’s is not one gay character or relationship feels very exclusionary. Right now, in terms of sexuality, Star Wars portrays a rather narrow view.
Less “relate to” and more “reflect more closely the world you know and your experiences.” It’s more a matter of representation.