Many people whine and complain that the Next Generation never handled LGBT. They obviously haven't watched TNG, because they aren't paying attention.
Star Trek is at it's best when it's an ALLEGORY. They don't do stuff right in your face as many are looking for, and ST:Discovery did to an art form.
Why allegory? Because Trek at it's best doesn't hit you over the head, it makes you think. Racism handled by having two individuals who are painted half white and half black. Their prejudice based on which side is white and black. Really points out how stupid racism is. It's not in your face about it.
This flips things around. It shows how an individual who is inclined to a gender is reprogrammed to fit their societies norm. That has happened in the US society. No, it's not enforced, but it's possible to receive "treatment" to push you to what's considered "norm". That's what happened in this episode.
As Roddenberry stated, there's no one skipping around singing show tunes, showing the rainbow symbol, kissing same gendered, etc, because in their time, it's not an issue. Cop out? Some say yes, I think in it's time 30+ years ago, this is the best they could do.
Star Trek is at it's best when it's an ALLEGORY. They don't do stuff right in your face as many are looking for, and ST:Discovery did to an art form.
Why allegory? Because Trek at it's best doesn't hit you over the head, it makes you think. Racism handled by having two individuals who are painted half white and half black. Their prejudice based on which side is white and black. Really points out how stupid racism is. It's not in your face about it.
This flips things around. It shows how an individual who is inclined to a gender is reprogrammed to fit their societies norm. That has happened in the US society. No, it's not enforced, but it's possible to receive "treatment" to push you to what's considered "norm". That's what happened in this episode.
As Roddenberry stated, there's no one skipping around singing show tunes, showing the rainbow symbol, kissing same gendered, etc, because in their time, it's not an issue. Cop out? Some say yes, I think in it's time 30+ years ago, this is the best they could do.