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'Star Trek: Discovery' Introduces Two New LGBTQIA+ Characters

Star Trek

'Star Trek' reveals its first non-binary and transgender characters

Today is Star Trek Day! Trekkies are celebrating the franchises 54th year around the sun. In light of the big day, Star Trek: Discoveryrecently announced two new inclusive characters joining its upcoming third season. They will be the saga's first non-binary and transgender characters.


On Thursday, October 15, fans will meet Adira, played by Blu del Barrio, and Gray, played by Ian Alexander. Adira will be Star Trek's first non-binary character and Gray will be its first transgender character.


Blu del Barrio is a non-binary actor who prefers they/them pronouns. Del Barrio has been acting since a young age but this will be their first major television role.

"When I got the call that I'd been cast as Adira, I hadn't yet told the majority of my friends and family I was non-binary," del Barrio told GLAAD. "I had only recently discovered the word and realized that it described how I'd felt for a long time. I knew I wanted to tell my friends and family, so when this [role] happened, it felt like the universe saying 'go ahead.'"

Ian Alexander is a 19-year-old Asian American transgender actor and activist. He is the first out transgender Asian-American actor on television and he uses he/his and they/them pronouns. Alexander previously played Buck Vu, a transgender character, on Netflix's The OA.

The show worked closely with GLAAD to create and accurately represent non-binary and transgender characters.

This is not the first time Star Trek: Discovery is smashing boundaries. Sonequa Martin-Green is the first Black woman to star as the lead within the Star Trek franchise and Anthony Rapp and Wilson Cruz play the first openly gay characters.

Season three of Star Trek: Discovery will premiere on CBS All Access October 15.

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Lauren Salois

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