A Force for change.
They may be evil, but they're not bigots.(via Wookieepedia)
As all true nerds know, the Star Wars films only scratch the surface of the franchise's full continuity. There are TV shows, comic books, video games, role-playing games, radio plays, and more. They extend the universe of the movies so far, you could live as long as Yoda (900 years) and not experience it all. But first and foremost in the so-called Expanded Universe has always been the novels. There are literally hundreds of novels from nearly as many authors, introducing thousands upon thousands of new characters, from many different alien species and origins. Until now, however, they were all straight.
Paul S. Kemp's upcoming novel Lords of the Sith will introduce the first LGBT character in Star Wars history, a lesbian Grand Moff in the Galactic Empire named Delian Mors. Given the long history of the Star Wars canon, the passionate nature of the fans, and the fact that this is a first, the announcement made big waves. Still, Kemp insists he did not make the character a lesbian for any political reason.
I don't do "political correctness," whatever that means. I write the stories I want to write, featuring the characters I want to feature.
— Paul S. Kemp (@Paulskemp) March 7, 2015
I don't touch demographic bases to appease this group or that. I write what I want. Full stop. It's true that Lords of the Sith has a 1/2
— Paul S. Kemp (@Paulskemp) March 7, 2015
lesbian character. Her orientation is a characteristic in the same way as is her brunette hair. It just fit with my conception of her. 2/2
— Paul S. Kemp (@Paulskemp) March 7, 2015
Although it might seem insignificant to an outsider, this is an important milestone for Star Wars and genre fiction in general. The world of fantasy and science fiction has had problems with inclusivity in the past. Although some fans are resistant to diversity in their beloved franchises, generally it's the creators who are slow to catch up. Publishers and studios still worry that the fans will desert in droves if their content doesn't adhere to the status quo. If this book is a success, maybe it will help to turn the tide. Or at least have some good lightsaber battles in it.