Doctor Who Spin-off Class to Have Gay Lead Character

Doctor Who has done a relatively good job of being inclusive in various aspects of the show, showing the value of everyone by bringing non-heteronormative characters to the forefront. It is no surprise that the latest spin-off, Class, will do the same.

Doctor Who has developed quite the reputation for inclusion, particularly when it comes to LGBTIQ characters. In the new incarnation, we have seen Captain Jack, who flirted with a rather large percentage of people with whom he came in contact. Madame Vastra and Jenny have their own unique relationship, one that is both lesbian and interspecies. Clara has a relationship with Danny, but also expresses attraction toward women. Lady Cassandra recalled herself as a “little boy” on Earth. Ashildr hinted that she may be non-cis and/or non-binary. These are but a few examples. While there is certainly room for improvement, the show has not been shy to feature these characters in prominent roles, giving the LGBTIQ community a major presence.

Related Story: Doctor Who: More on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

That inclusion has continued to the various spin-offs. Before Elisabeth Sladen passed, there were plans to reveal that her character Sarah Jane Smith’s son Luke on The Sarah Jane Adventures is gay. There was a lot of representation on Torchwood, the most prominent example being Captain Jack Harkness and his “omnisexuality,” which was originally broached on Doctor Who. And now, the latest Doctor Who spin-off, Class, is going to have its own gay lead character (as of yet unidentified).

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Considering the horrific event that transpired in Orlando, Florida over the weekend, the news that a lead on Class has been written as gay is certainly welcome. Inclusion will continue on Doctor Who and its spin-offs, with these characters shown in a positive light and treated just like everyone else. Having established that Time Lords can change sex, Doctor Who — virtually more so than any other franchise — has the freedom to refreshingly explore concepts beyond the rigid, traditional ones of how things “should” be.

Perhaps, in some small way, having one of the main characters on the show be a member of the LGBTIQ community will help some viewers come to have more acceptance for such folks. Having a gay character shown in a positive and normalizing light can potentially positively change the hearts and minds of many viewers. If even one person rethinks how they view LGBTIQ people because of this, then this decision about the character’s sexual orientation was well worth it… other than the fact that, you know, such people exist and deserve basic representation in the media.

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Doctor Who and its spin-offs have done a decent job in promoting the inclusion of members of the LBGTIQ community. It is great to see that Class is picking up where the others have left off. Step by step, we are heading toward a point when stories such as this will no longer be news — and that will be fantastic.