JUNE 10, 2021 - As part of Pride Month, members of the Star Trek: Discovery cast and crew took part in a panel during Outfest, an online experience highlighting advances in LGBTQ+ representation on TV. On the panel, they noted a central goal of season four: ensuring that trans character Gray Tal, played by Ian Alexander, would be “truly seen.”

Alexander, Anthony Rapp, Wilson Cruz, Blu del Barrio, and Tig Notaro, with co-showrunner Michelle Paradise, took part in the multi-faceted discussion during the Outfest event. When the subject of tropes was raised, Alexander and their castmates spoke about the steps Discovery has taken to tear them down.

“Often times trans characters are killed off or they commit suicide,” Alexander shared. “And it can be a very triggering and depressing narrative of ‘If you're trans your life is going to be miserable and you're going to suffer.’”

They also shared how Gray’s death transcended that trope, saying, “It became sort of this bonding moment between him and Adira. And Adira’s love for Gray is so strong that they're able to save him and Gray is able to live on in his own way.”

However, in a storytelling twist that echoes the true-life experience of many trans teens, Gray is not seen by anyone else on Discovery’s crew but Adira, until the events of the season finale “That Hope is You (Part Two).” But as the episode ends, Dr. Culber declares, “We'll find a way to help you be seen. Truly seen…by everyone.”

Showrunner Paradise echoed her comments from earlier this year that Culber’s promise is a central plot point in Discovery’s next season, saying, “We absolutely do pay that off in season four. It’s very much going the opposite direction of the trope. That storyline and making sure we pay it off is hugely important.”

You can watch the entire Discovery Outfest conversation at outfestnow.com. Happy Pride!