10 Biggest LGBTQIA+ Moments In Star Trek
5. I'm Looking For A New Friend
Andrew J. Robinson may be one of the most impactful recurring stars that the franchise has ever introduced. Elim Garak was a character who kept people constantly guessing, though one thing was very clear in his very first episode. Past Prologue depicts the Cardassian as unquestionably bisexual, at the very least. There is no doubt - he wants to be more than just friends with Dr. Bashir.
This has been confirmed by Robinson in the years since, although when the character was brought back, he was asked to tone that part of him back a bit. He did so, with Garak going on to have a relationship with Ziyal, though the actor kept his own notes along the way that depicted some of Garak's story. These notes were expanded into the novel A Stitch In Time after the show wrapped.
In this story, Garak speaks openly about the love he has felt for other men. Robinson and Alexander Siddig would also go on to appear in 'Alone Together', a production of the fanfic Edosian Orchids, during 2020. In this story, Garak goes even further, revealing that he had shared an intimate encounter with Gul Dukat in the past as well.
While much of Garak's story wasn't revealed on-screen, this character was a member of the LGBTQIA+ community all the way back in 1992, even if it took a little while for this to be confirmed.