Ten Best Gay and Bisexual Science Fiction Characters

9. The Cluracan (Sandman; comics)

1989 saw the birth of Neil Gaiman’s extraordinary and historic comic series The Sandman, which aside from being a critical success and the only comic book to ever make the New York Times Bestseller List, was revolutionary for its time in its presentation of multiple positive GLBT characters.

The series featured leading lesbian and transgender characters, and though The Cluracan was only a recurring minor character, he scores big points for being endlessly fun and uncompromisingly gay. Based on the clurichaun, a drunk leprechaun of Irish folklore, this literal faerie and dashing rogue of Queen Titania’s court works hard and plays harder.

One morning during an impromptu conference that will determine the fate of his people, he shows up in his sister Nuala’s room with a young Egyptian deity in tow, and casually tells her they spent the night drinking and having sex. In his words, “Personally, I figure the best I can hope to get out of these shenanigans is excellent wine and great sex.”

The principle theme of the series is that of storytelling and stories come to life, and the Cluracan can spin a yarn like nobody’s business. Give him a couple drinks and he’ll entertain for as long as he’s conscious, charmingly admitting his own narcissism and tendency towards embellishment.

Character Rating: 10/10

Significance Rating: 4/10

Originality Rating : 6/10

8. Parthenon, aka Dan Williams (Who Wants To Be a Superhero?; The Sci Fi Channel)

Dan Williams, the out contender in season two of Sci Fi channel’s competitive reality series Who Wants To Be A Superhero, scores big points for being a real guy who managed to survive a long time in a reality show based on a genre that is historically not gay-friendly.

Gay fans’ hopes were not particularly high for Parthenon’s chances of winning Season 2 following the ousting of Season 1’s gay entry, Levity, in the very first episode. Unfortunately, Parthenon the character was a little heavy on the clichés: archaeologist finds ancient gauntlet whose gemstones provide superpowers. Naturally, tights and cape ensue. And while we love William’s generous and benevolent character, he’s gotta work out some better catchphrases than “Bling’s my thing” and “Rock on.”

Nonetheless, Parthenon did the gays proud, consistently performing well and showing that gay men could be more than the stereotypes we’re often served up as by many scripted and reality series. Indeed, he showed gay men can be “heroic. ” Best of all was when Williams won the chance to call his partner during the competition, a conversation paralleled against a heterosexual woman doing the same. It was an awesome sight to behold.

Character Rating: 5/10

Significance Rating: 7/10

Originality Rating : 3/10

7. Ianto Jones (Torchwood; BBC America)

Alas, poor neglected Ianto (Gareth David-Lloyd). Any other sexy bisexual character on national television would be a gay household name, but the competition’s tough when most of the cast, including the lead, are also bisexual. Ianto’s role at Torchwood is unusual to say the least; in addition to playing receptionist and chief coffee brewer, he is also the clean-up guy who neatly disposes of alien kills and covers up any shady team activities to keep the public and authorities from learning about Torchwood’s creepy and occasionally distasteful secrets.