The Importance of Sexual Diversity in Pop Culture

Written by Shae Rufe

Within media, all types, I find it is very important to see gay, bisexual, lesbian, and transgender characters. Mostly because, well, there are gay, bisexual, lesbian, and transgender people that enjoy everything pop culture has to offer. 

The whole point of the shows we watch, the comics and books we read, and the games we play, is that we form a community of sorts. Being able to belong with other people is a rather huge part of why we are interested in the things we are interested in. Bonding over the ‘nerd’ or ‘geek’ factor is great, but for those like me, we don’t exactly fit in with the heterosexual norm.

Characters like Captain Jack Harkness on Torchwood have been paving the way and breaking down conventions. I use Jack because he is a perfect example of breaking that social norm. Jack is likable, he’s fun, flirty, brave, daring, and even a bit scary at times. A main character through and through, and above all, Jack doesn’t categorize his sexuality with any one word. He simply loves who, or what, ever he’s attracted to. 

That’s a pretty bold statement. Doctor Who, for all its nerdy purposes, has even had a lesbian, inter-species, married couple on their show from time to time. It’s not, however, often we see non-straight characters in media formats. I say this because it’s important to non-straight people to have idols and heroes too. While there’s nothing wrong with classic hero archetypes, it’s necessary to have a wide array of characters everyone can relate to on some level.

Given  many of the tragedies we have read about regarding teens committing suicide, now more than ever is it crucial to have characters like Jack Harkness. Comics especially have been breaking down social barriers with their controversial topics. Never in my lifetime did I think I would see a comic with two male characters getting married on the cover. Yet, comics (and now op have pushed from day one to not be conventional. As I explored in a previous blog.

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