Star Trek's first gay Klingon opens up about the toxic online hate he's faced

"When haters or angry people attack me on the internet for something that they don't know the truth about—because it has never come out of my mouth—I realize that it has nothing to do with me. It is rooted in racism, homophobia and sexism. These negative things have nothing to do with me."

"I understand that people have different opinions creatively about the show, and that is fine. I welcome, read and respond to some of the critiques. But the majority of it really is hate for the sake of hate."

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, released six decades after the original series, features diverse characters including LGBTQ+ couples and individuals with disabilities, sparking review-bombing and right-wing backlash. Actor Karim Dianéé, 23, plays Jay-Den Kraag, the franchise's first openly gay Klingon cadet who prioritizes healing over warfare and develops a romantic relationship with fellow cadet Kyle. Dianéé addresses the hate he receives, distinguishing between legitimate creative critiques and attacks rooted in prejudice. He recognizes that hostile online attacks reflect the attackers' biases rather than personal failings, emphasizing that racism, homophobia, and sexism drive the majority of negative responses rather than substantive concerns about the show.

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