One SyStep Forward, Two SySteps Back

by Shaker Socchan, who expects more from the speculative fiction industry.

For those not following its most recent developments, the Sci-Fi Siffy Syfy channel has announced that it's planning to include more openly LGBT characters in its lineup. Unfortunately, as with many decisions made by this channel, it's one step forward, two steps back. The following casting call went out on Wednesday for a guest slot on the upcoming Stargate: Universe:

[ELEANOR PERRY] (35-40) and quite attractive. A brilliant scientist who happens to be a quadriplegic. Affected since childhood, her disability has rendered her body physically useless. However, after being brought on board the Destiny as the only person who may be able to save the ship and her crew from certain annihilation, she is given temporary powers that enable her to walk again and to finally experience intimacy.sptv050769..Strong guest lead. NAMES PREFERRED. ACTRESS MUST BE PHYSICALLY THIN. (THINK CALISTA FLOCKHART).

I can think of half-a-dozen problems with this in one minute alone (attractive means thin, having a disability means you aren't a full person, the idea that intimacy automatically involves sex, et cetera), and I'm sure my fellow Shakers can go on for pages with more. It gets worse when taken into consideration that body-switching is to be a major gimmick in the new series.

The audition sides confirm collective worst fears: Elanor will be switching bodies with an out, married lesbian, and, while switched, she will be using the body that is not hers to pursue straight sexual encounters. She will "switch back" after a week.

There's a post on LiveJournal by a third party here with more details, a link to a list of places to contact about this, and the option to get the audition sides via e-mail. There's already a post up at Media Dis 'n' Dat.

Given that they're already at casting calls, I'm not sure how much can be done to change the episode/script itself; if nothing else, though, it might be possible to convince them (via outrage) to pull the episode entirely.

Teaspoons up, Shakers o.oP