Power Rangers is the first superhero movie to feature an LGBTQ protagonist, the yellow Ranger, Trini, portrayed by Becky G is gay. She thinks that playing a gay power ranger is really beautiful and doesn’t understand why it’s such a big deal.
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) found that of 126 major studio releases in 2015 only 17. 5% had LGBTQ characters. “It makes me sad that it’s such a big deal because it could have been done a long time ago,” she told the Hollywood Star.
Recently, Beauty and the Beast’s, Le Fou, Gaston’s sidekick also made waves when they announced he was gay. Several countries even banned the movie from showing because of this character.
“For me [playing the first openly gay superhero], it is super important, I mean Power Rangers has always been about equality, diversity, and unity,” said Becky G to Hollywoodlife.com. “And how can we make a movie about the people without acknowledging people being people and especially a coming of age story. I feel that the story is the same story a lot of people who are going to be watching this movie are going through, whether it is from the OG fans or the newer generation that will be introduced. So to me, I am very proud!”
Why has it taken this long to introduce openly gay characters?
For most of these studios, it’s a huge risk to introduce gay characters because of the conservative views that people have. Yet, being part of the LGBTQ community is more accepting than it was 20 years ago. Movies like these are getting more support from not only the LGBTQ community but from the masses because it’s no big deal to be gay.
A person’s sexuality is their personal choice and in these two movies, it was represented in a matter-of-fact way, “yes, I’m gay, so what?” That’s the reality of many that don’t want any fanfare when they come out as gay, it’s just who they are and if you like it, fine, if not, no big deal.
These movies are certainly setting the bar for others to follow. Star Wars Director, J.J. Abrams even says that LGBTQ characters are a must, and Twitter followers started at #GiveCaptainAmericaABoyfriend campaign, so it’s definitely something that people want to see more of…and why not?