Break out the bunting!

[lonelybrit]

AfterElton.com have done a list of their top Ten Best Gay and Bisexual Science Fiction Characters. Male characters were rated on scales of character fascination, significance, and originality. Apparently things like popularity and aesthetic appeal weren't factors. Of course I'm chuffed to see both Ianto and Jack in the list, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Dr. Frank-N-Furter and Andrew Wells. Yay for Torchwood. They also summed up one of the main reasons I do adore my show:

Jack and some of the other characters in the series represent an almost “post-gay” approach to sexual themes, in which sexual identity is represented as fluid and complicated, and, more importantly, as not a big deal. It simply is what it is.

Seems like a reasonable premise to me :)

Comments

[sweet-exile.livejournal.com]

I should point that out to a colleague in work. We had a 'lively' discussion about Torchwood. He was complaining that ambiguous sexuality (his words not mine) spoiled the show.

When I pointed out that there was also same sex female kissing he did admit he hadn't seen Greeks Baring Gifts.

I tried to explain that Jack was just Jack that's who he is but I don't think he was convinced. He got me thinking do I enjoy Torchwood because it appeals to my slasher sensibilities? I don't think so. Yes I squee over Jack and Ianto but it's not the overriding factor in why I watch.

I don't feel the Jack and Ianto moment in the office gets in the way of the story telling. We need human moments like this. If the whole show was explosions and gun fights it will become boring and repetitive and I'm always wary of people who start conversations with 'I'm not homophobic but...'

We agreed to disagree but I feel I won as he hadn't seen all of series one.

[lonelybrit]

Yep, I'm similar. Of course I'm always happy when we do get some canon slash and pretty folks kissing is never going to be unpopular with me - but it's not the only reason I watch. I think what I like is that, as you say, when the slash scenes happen, they tend to not be the central plot of the whole ep, they're treated the same way as the het side-plots. As you say, the office scene was really nicely played and added the human touch to Jack before returning us to the adrenaline rush of dealing with Captain John.

[sweet-exile.livejournal.com]

We've decided he just doesn't like Jack. Yeap I work with crazy people.

[lonelybrit]

Exactly, as Jack says, us and our quaint little categories. Fall in love or don't fall in love, the gender of the other person shouldn't really be a sticking point :)

[ok2nv-theoracle.livejournal.com]

I did a little dance when I saw that, too. Especially since Jack was Numero Uno!

I was also a little sad to realize that they weren't lying when they said that Torchwood is the only show played on U.S. tele featuring an out gay man in a leading role.

We have to import our progressiveness, it seems. *shrugs*

[lonelybrit]

I did do a little smile and bounce in my office chair when I saw Jack's placing. I also giggled when I saw them note that probably Ianto would have been a bigger name for being obviously bi were it not for the fact that the same really applies to the entire Torchwood cast. I love my show :)

Yep, I hadn't realised that until I stopped to think for a bit. Still, it's a start and hopefully Barrowman won't be the last.