Our 10 Favorite LGBTQIA+ Characters in Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Happy Pride Month, my rainbow babies!

June is a special month as it allows us to celebrate and elevate the LGBTQIA+ community. As a certified nerd, I feel it is my sacred duty to uplift the wonderfully diverse, complex, and fascinating LGBTQIA+ characters in sci-fi and fantasy. While we still have a way to go, these 10 queer and trans characters have shattered glass ceilings and broken boundaries in terms of representation.

---

Camina Drummer – The Expanse

It’s an indisputable fact that Camina Drummer is the best Belter (and President of the Transport Union). She’s a bona fide badass who doesn’t mince words and is unwaveringly loyal to the Belter cause. She’s also the epitome of strength.

Later in The Expanse, we learn she’s polyamorous. We eventually meet her new family (affectionately dubbed “Polyam Belter Fam” on social media) – her wife, Oksana; her husband, Serge Kylo; her wife, Michio; her husband, Josep; and her husband, Bertold.

We seldom see examples of polyamory on TV, and even though Drummer’s family, unfortunately, parts ways, seeing Drummer happy and in love is a balm for the soul.

---

Jeremy Chetri – Wynonna Earp

Who doesn’t love the Jer-bear? Jeremy Chetri didn’t appear on Wynonna Earp until season 2. Still, viewers quickly fell head over heels for the Black Badge Division lab technician (who snags a sick promotion to deputy director in the season 4 finale).

Jeremy’s immense intellect, pop culture know-how, and ability to sense when his friends are scared make him a force to be reckoned with. He’s a sweet, kind human through and through. His relationship with Robin, his boyfriend, was cut short, but thankfully, showrunner Emily Andras made it up to Earpers by giving him plenty of romantic possibilities in his future.

---

Ellie Williams – The Last of Us

Ellie Williams from The Last of Us (TV adaptation and video games) is no stranger to growing up in a dystopian, ultraviolent world. Because of her upbringing, she developed a thick skin. She’s also impulsive, foul-mouthed, and temperamental. However, she’s a teenager, and she still possesses childlike traits, which prove she’s not completely desensitized to it all.

Ellie’s loyalty knows no bounds; she’ll risk life and limb to protect her loved ones. She goes on to have a handful of girlfriends, including Cat, her ex, and Dina, her current partner in the games, who is set to join the TV series in season 2.

---

Paul Stamets – Star Trek: Discovery

Fun fact: Star Trek: Discovery’s Paul Stamets was named after a real-life mycologist, making it even more fascinating that he’s an astromycologist on the show. If you’re familiar with the series, you know the U.S.S. Discovery can’t make those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it jumps without Stamets. He’s the spore drive guy.

Stamets occasionally veers into cantankerous territory. He can be a Grumpy Gus. However, he’s chock full of love and has the sweetest relationship with his husband, Dr. Hugh Culber. Their bond even triumphs over Culber’s death as the crew discovers Culber had been living in the mycelial network after his passing, making it possible to resurrect him.

Long live Stamulber. Camets? I’m not sure what ship name the kiddos are using these days.

---

Viktor Hargreeves – The Umbrella Academy

Viktor Hargreeves from The Umbrella Academy is easily the most powerful of the Hargreeves siblings. (Of course, those abilities disappeared after the reset of the universe.) He’s brought on the apocalypse at least once (but we won’t hold that against him).

Personality-wise, Viktor is a kind, gentle soul. He’s intelligent and observant. Like his siblings, Viktor struggles with deeply rooted trauma, especially from his father, Reginald, who suppressed the proper development of his powers since they were deemed too dangerous.

In season 3, Viktor came out as a trans man to his family and was warmly accepted with open arms. It’s touching to see this kind of representation in genre TV.

---

Theo Putnam – Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Theo Putnam undergoes a significant journey of discovery on Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Initially, he identified as nonbinary from a young age. Later, he came out as a trans boy. Like many trans and queer kids, he endured trauma as a child. His bravery and refusal to compromise his identity are admirable.

Eventually, he gets a sweet romance to match his equally sweet demeanor, which is seldom seen on TV for trans teens. Plus, Sabrina and her squad are always there to back Theo up. Kudos to Sabrina for that.

---

Caduceus Clay – Critical Role

Caduceus Clay from Critical Role‘s the Mighty Nein is an upbeat, cheerful fey giant. He’s an avid Wildmother devotee and a faithful steward of nature. He boasts a wicked sense of humor (which is always a welcome character trait) and incredible wisdom to boot.

Additionally, Caduceus is a supportive figure to the Mighty Nein, often at hand when someone needs it. He identifies as asexual and aromantic (or aroace) and has stated that he’s uninterested in pursuing a relationship. Gotta love the aroace rep!

---

Nomi Marks – Sense8

Full disclosure: Sense8 deserved more seasons. Anyway, Nomi Marks is a multifaceted, nuanced political blogger and hacktivist. She’s also nerdy, creative, and immensely kind and will do anything to protect her chosen family.

Nomi is a trans woman and a lesbian. Unfortunately, she’s experienced extreme trauma that has impelled her to build walls around herself. Thankfully, she’s now living in domestic and marital bliss with her wife, Amanita Caplan.

---

The Corinthian – The Sandman

The Sandman’s The Corinthian is the sexy gay Nightmare of our dreams (well … nightmares). After escaping The Dreaming, The Corinthian went on a human killing spree. He wreaked all the havoc in season 1, eventually getting turned into sand by Morpheus, AKA Dream, in the end. But who’s to say we won’t see him again if he’s physiologically immortal?

The Sandman comics creator Neil Gaiman has confirmed The Corinthian is canonically gay. Fortunately, we also see this play out in the Netflix series.

---

Tamar Kir-Bataar – Shadow & Bone

Tamar Kir-Bataar from Shadow & Bone is a clever, bold, and occasionally reckless Heartrender. She boasts strong faith in the Grisha, believing her powers are a gift. She’s unwaveringly loyal to Alina, the show’s protagonist, and is left in command of the Volkvolny alongside her twin brother, Tolya.

Tamar has a sweet romance with Nadia Zhabin, a Squaller at the Little Palace. In Leigh Bardugo’s book series, they eventually get married.

---

Who are your favorite LGBTQIA+ characters in sci-fi and fantasy? Are they on this list? Join the conversation with other fans this Pride over at Sideshow Social Network or in side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!