Star Trek: Discovery will soon boldly go where no other Trek has gone before by introducing transgender and non-binary characters in its third season, a first for the long-running sci-fi franchise.
Entertainment Tonight reports that the critically-acclaimed CBS All Access series will introduce non-binary actor Blu del Barrio as Adira, and The OA actor Ian Alexander, who is trans, as Gray.
Adira is described as a “highly intelligent” character “with a confidence and self-assurance well beyond their years,” who joins the Discovery crew after befriending Lt. Commander Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp) and Dr. Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz) — themselves notable for being the first openly gay characters in a Trek television series.
Trans character Gray is described as “empathetic” and “warm,” and dreams of being a Trill host. In Star Trek, the Trill are a species who can form symbiotic relationships with another organism, with their personalities becoming a synthesis of the two beings — including the memories, and to some extent the personalities, of the previous hosts of the symbiont. Per ET, Gray’s hopes of becoming a host force him to “have to adapt when his life takes an unexpected turn.”
“Star Trek has always made a mission of giving visibility to underrepresented communities because it believes in showing people that a future without division on the basis of race, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation is entirely within our reach,” Michelle Paradise, co-showrunner of Discovery, told ET.
“We take pride in working closely with Blu del Barrio, Ian Alexander and Nick Adams at GLAAD to create the extraordinary characters of Adira and Gray, and bring their stories to life with empathy, understanding, empowerment and joy,” Paradise added.
In an interview with LGBTQ media advocacy organization GLAAD, Barrio called Adira “a wonderfully complex character.”
“Mainly because of this duality they have within them: they’re astonishingly intelligent and yet they’re still a kid,” Barrio said. “They experience their emotions at a heightened level, like most teenagers. That’s what makes them so fun to play.
“I like to describe them as cerebrally brilliant and emotionally a puppy,” they continued. “Adira is an introvert, but they keep a few people close to the chest, which I definitely resonate with. I don’t want to say too much and get in trouble, but all in all, Adira is a uniquely strange and beautiful character.”
Asked about Ian Alexander, Barrio said they “cannot speak highly enough of Ian. I absolutely love him, and it was so fun working alongside him.”
“Having him join the show with me was a godsend,” they continued, adding, “I was so thankful to have his support whenever I was freaking out. He’s a talented, hardworking actor, and an all-around magnificent human being, so it was a joy having him as a partner.”
Barrio said that the cast and crew of Discovery, which also includes out lesbian actor, writer, and stand-up comic Tig Notaro, “wholeheartedly accepted and validated me” when they started filming and came out as non-binary.
“They welcomed me in with open arms. When I looked like I needed help, someone would go out of their way to help me. If someone had a question about my identity, they asked it thoughtfully and kindly,” they said.
Wilson Cruz tweeted his support of the new additions to the cast, writing: “I couldn’t be more excited for or PROUD of these TWO new loves of my life if I tried. We are family! … Love you so much!”
Star Trek: Discovery is available to stream on CBS All Access in the U.S., and on Netflix globally. The 13-episode third season debuts Thursday, Oct. 15.
The Alabama Public Library Service Board of Directors, which oversees the state’s public libraries, has voted to remove books discussing transgender identities from teen and children’s sections statewide.
On November 20 -- which coincided with Transgender Day of Remembrance -- the board approved an addition to an existing rule requiring youth sections to be free of "sexually explicit or other material deemed inappropriate." The amended rule now specifies that materials discussing "transgender procedures, gender ideology, or the concept of more than two biological genders" are inappropriate for library sections aimed at children and teens.
Lucien Bates, a transgender man, says security guards threatened to arrest him after he used the women’s restroom at a Round1 arcade inside the North Riverside Park Mall in suburban Chicago. Bates, an Indiana resident, was visiting the venue on September 28 with his fiancé and a friend to play Dance Dance Revolution.
Bates, who presents as alt-masculine with facial hair and piercings, had just arrived at the arcade when he needed to use the restroom. He chose the women’s restroom, a decision he often makes in public because he feels safer there and is less likely to be harassed.
The Capital Pride Alliance is moving the 2026 Capital Pride celebration to the third week of June -- one week later than usual -- to avoid overlapping with major events tied to President Donald Trump's June 14 birthday and preparations for the nation's 250th anniversary. Pride weekend will run June 20-21, with the parade on Saturday and the festival and concert on Sunday.
Last year, the Trump administration marked the president's birthday and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Armed Forces with a downtown military parade. This year, all national parks will offer free entry on June 14, and the White House is expected to host several Ultimate Fighting Championship matches on the White House lawn to draw large crowds for Trump's 80th birthday and the country's Semiquincentennial celebrations.
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