Starfleet Academy’s First Gay Klingon Has The Support Of Star Trek Legend George Takei

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy continues to push the boundaries of the long-running sci-fi franchise, and its seventh episode, “Ko’Zeine,” marks a major milestone. The episode introduces Jay-Den Kraag (Karim Diané) as the first canonically queer Klingon in “Star Trek” history. Already distinct from the typical Klingon warrior archetype as a healer, Jay-Den’s character takes another meaningful step forward when the episode reveals his boyfriend, Kyle (Dale Whibley), and shows him sharing a flirtatious dynamic with his friend and fellow cadet Darem (George Hawkins). While Jay-Den’s presence feels groundbreaking, it’s also the result of decades of gradual change within the franchise.

The “Star Trek” universe has long promoted ideals of diversity and inclusion, though its journey with LGBTQ+ representation has been complex. One of its earliest stars, George Takei, portrayed Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise in Star Trek: The Original Series. Takei later became a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. In 2016’s Star Trek Beyond, the Kelvin timeline version of Sulu, played by John Cho, was depicted as openly gay — a creative choice that sparked conversation among fans and even drew mixed reactions from Takei himself. Nevertheless, that moment resonated strongly with many viewers who had been waiting years to see a main character openly identified as queer in the franchise.

Earlier series, including Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager, laid important groundwork by exploring themes of identity and acceptance. More recently, characters like Beckett Mariner — voiced by Tawny Newsome on Star Trek: Lower Decks — have been explicitly queer, reflecting the franchise’s continued evolution.

Diané recently shared on TikTok that he connected with Takei and his husband, Brad, after meeting them at a Broadway show. After reaching out by email, Diané received a heartfelt message expressing how meaningful it was for them to see him step into a queer role within “Star Trek.” The exchange underscored how much progress the franchise has made since the 1960s, when open representation on television was far more limited.

Jay-Den’s introduction stands out not only because he is openly gay, but because he is an openly gay Klingon — a cultural icon within the “Star Trek” universe traditionally defined by warrior strength and rigid codes of honor. For many fans, particularly younger viewers, the character represents visibility and validation. Diané has noted that while most feedback has been positive and supportive, there has also been backlash from some viewers. The series itself has faced criticism from detractors who claim it has become overly political, highlighting that debates over representation in media are far from settled.

Still, “Starfleet Academy” demonstrates how far “Star Trek” has come — from subtext and coded storytelling to characters who can openly and confidently live as themselves on screen.

You can stream “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” now on Paramount+.