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Star Wars novel introduces major gay character into universe
A new novel Star Wars: Aftermath has written in a gay character, its author Chuck Wendig revealed in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
The new novel picks up the story after the Empire is vanquished in Return of the Jedi.
In the book Sinjir Rath Velus is an Imperial turncoat who serves the Rebellion. Late in the story, he reveals his sexuality after rebuffing a female character.
Wendig told EW: ‘I don’t think that his sexuality needs to be this giant plot point, but at the same time, it’s part of who he is as a character, and I thought it was an interesting moment.
‘Especially since you don’t necessarily see it as much – not just in Star Wars but just in science-fiction… Comics are just starting to figure out that that [LGBT men and women] exist in the world.’
Despite saying he didn’t want it to be a major plot point, Wendig insists being gay was central to Velus’ character.
‘I don’t want it to seem like a glib choice. I mean, I think it’s fundamental to who he is, in terms of his character.’
The new character has been dubbed the first major gay character in the Star Wars Universe. Fans however have pointed out lesbian jedi Juhani, from the 2003 game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, was the first gay hero.
There are a number of minor gay characters in the series, including imperial officer Moff Delian Mors, and Norra Wexley – also in Aftermath.
The book received mixed reviews. IGN.com gave it 5.9 out of 10, and described Valus as: ‘[Valus]… has some promise, but he rarely gets the chance to shine.’
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Jack Flanagan
www.gaystarnews.com/article/star-wars-novel-introduces-major-gay-character-into-universe/
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