Gay Characters in Star Wars

"Star Wars is for everyone," a well-known quote given by Luke Skywalker actor Mark Hamill, has often been employed to welcome novel characters and creative minds into the franchise. It's also a crucial point to remember as the world commemorates Pride Month.

On the screen, Star Wars has presented a limited amount of LGBTQ+ representation. However, the franchise is filled with books, comics, and video games that have gone beyond what is presented on film and television. As such, there exist numerous Star Wars figures to find that members of the LGBTQ+ community may connect with.

Updated on June ninth, two thousand twenty-four, by John Hitchcock: The initial publishing of this article presented a solid array of LGBTQ+ characters, however, some were ultimately omitted. With this in mind, to commemorate Pride Month and the launch of The Acolyte, more of the most compelling LGBTQ+ Star Wars characters have been included. Although it's currently unclear if this new series will include any LGBTQ+ characters, the franchise has been consistently growing more inclusive over the years, so there remains a possibility. Still, if The Acolyte doesn't contain any LGBTQ+ figures, there are plenty of other Star Wars projects to look forward to, which might.

Orka & Flix

A Gay Couple That Runs A Repair Shop

Orka and Flix debuted in Star Wars Resistance, where they managed a business called The Office of Acquisitions. Although it wasn't specifically mentioned in the show itself, their status as a couple has been verified by the show's producers.

Despite the fact that Resistance might not have been the best-received Star Wars series, the choice to feature two LGBTQ+ characters had a significant impact nonetheless. Orka and Flix were the initial openly gay characters introduced into the new canon.

Vel Sartha & Cinta Kaz

A Lesbian Power Couple That Plays A Part In The Rebel Alliance

Vel Sartha and Cinta Kaz were introduced in Andor, where they participated in the Aldhani heist and later the battle of Kenari. Following The Last Jedi, it was welcome to observe a same-sex pair finally gaining a prominent role in a live-action Star Wars production. Faye Marsey, who portrayed Sartha, has publicly stated that she desired for her character to help normalize LGBTQ+ relationships.

Instead of merely presenting an LGBTQ+ couple and doing nothing else, Andor actually makes space to explore the complexities of their relationship. A major component of their narrative revolves around their struggle to reconcile their love for each other with their mutual commitment to the rebel alliance. It's a remarkably challenging undertaking, and their tenacity demonstrates they are all the more powerful for it.

Doctor Aphra

A Lesbian Archeologist Who Has Been In Complicated Relationships

Initially appearing in the Star Wars: Darth Vader comics, Doctor Aphra is a morally ambiguous character who doesn't hesitate to work alongside both Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. In addition, she's also served as lesbian representation for the LGBTQ+ community. Doctor Aphra is an archaeologist who had a relationship with a woman during her school years and shared a passionate kiss with an Imperial officer while trapped by a worm god.

Her moral ambiguity further enhances the character overall. If she were a true villain, she may not be viewed as impressive representation. However, considering Doctor Aphra appears to heed her heart and her passions, it's understandable why she might end up on either side of the Jedi/Sith divide.

Sana Starros

A Bisexual Smuggler With Ties To Some Major Characters

Speaking of the woman romantically connected to Doctor Aphra in school, she indeed serves as bisexual representation within the books. In addition to her relationship with Aphra, Sana Starros has also been married to Han Solo. Even though she was deceiving him, she still had relationships with both men and women.

Similar to Han, Sana was a smuggler by trade, which often set them up to meet in the books. Star Wars characters frequently exhibit moral ambiguity, because good people will do bad things, and vice versa. Sana Starros is no different.

Magna Tolvan

A Lesbian Imperial Officer Who Found A Strong Connection With Doctor Aphra

Another romantic interest of Doctor Aphra, Magna Tolvan is a strict Imperial Captain until she meets the whimsical archaeologist. The two couldn't be any more dissimilar in personality, and it appears that the only thing the pair have in common is that they're both women.

Nevertheless, Tolvan acts as another representative of the LGBTQ+ community and a fine instance of how two individuals with little in common can be beneficial to one another. Doctor Aphra introduces Tolvan's wilder side, and it seems to be a liberating experience for both of them.

The Hutts

An Entire Race Of Non-Binary Characters

• Star Wars: Episode 6 - Return of the Jedi

The Hutts function as fascinating representation for the LGBTQ+ community. Born androgynous, every Hutt has the capacity to decide whether they are male or female. And some Hutts in the books have actually transitioned from one sex to the other throughout their lives.

For instance, in The Han Solo Trilogy, Jiliac the Hutt desired a child, so Jiliac transitioned from male to female and conceived and gave birth to one. While the Hutts as a species aren't exactly honorable, it still offers a unique look at representation and the forms it can take in a sci-fi universe.

Grand Admiral Sloane

A Bisexual Commander Of The Imperial Navy

Grand Admiral Rae Sloane served both as an officer in the Galactic Empire and as the leader of the First Order. Her sexuality isn't explicitly revealed, although her recognized relationships show her to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Sloane had three significant romantic relationships in the books, one with her assistant Adea Rite and the others with General Hux and Kanan Jarrus. This, at the very least, establishes her as bisexual. She hasn't yet appeared onscreen, although there is always a chance for this to change.

Varko Grey

An Openly Gay And Happily Married Imperial Pilot

Another Imperial representative for the LGBTQ+ community, Varko Grey is a skilled pilot possessing near-unmatched skill. He is among the best starfighters in the galaxy, but is anchored by his marriage.

Varko's loving husband, Emory, is incredibly proud of Varko's accomplishments with the Empire. The pair have created a peaceful existence together, and Varko is determined to protect it, regardless of the cost.

Juhani

The First Openly Gay Character In Star Wars

• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

First appearing in the Knights of the Old Republic video game, Juhani made waves by being the first gay figure to appear in Star Wars. She is perceived by numerous as one of the best positive queer representations in the franchise, depending on the version of Revan the player chooses.

Jahani falls in love with the female iteration of Revan and has a complex past involving training, trauma, and her race's characteristics. Unfortunately, if a player decides to make Revan a man, this subplot isn't revealed.

Terec & Ceret

Non-Binary Jedi Twins

• Star Wars: The High Republic (2021) 2

Terec and Ceret are bong-twins introduced in the Star Wars: The High Republic Marvel Comics. The twins are trans and non-binary Jedi, and they are the first ones to be presented in contemporary lore.

The twins use they/them pronouns and share a linked mind. They often sense each other's pain and can complete each other's sentences when the moment arises, making them a truly unique pair in the vast Star Wars universe.