10 Times Star Trek: The Next Generation Tried To Be Sexy
2. Tackling A Taboo (“The Outcast”)
The J’naii are an androgynous species. Their society views male/female gender identification as primitive, and any J’naii who develop a sense of gender identity are forced to undergo conversion therapy.
During a rescue mission with Commander Riker, a J’naii named Soren becomes fascinated by human sex. Curious, she speaks the immortal line, “Commander, tell me about your sex organs.”
Soren soon confesses that she is attracted to Riker and sees herself as female. Riker returns her affections, but their budding relationship is uncovered by J’naii officials. Soren is put on trial for her supposed perversion. Riker tries to intervene on Soren’s behalf but is rebuffed. Later, accompanied by Worf, he attempts to rescue Soren but arrives too late. She has been subjected to therapy, and her gender identity has been wiped from her personality.
Yes, this is a rather glum entry in this list. But as a thinly veiled commentary on LGBT rights, it suitably underscores Star Trek’s long commitment to human dignity and freedom of self-determination. It also begs the question of whether to respect another society’s customs if those customs abuse individuals and suppress their expression of self-identity.