STFU Moffat

What are your thoughts on Moffat’s decision to “shake things up” with a “lesbian” character in Doctor Who series 6? (Madame Vastra x new companion.) Google “doctor-who-to-shake-things-up-with-a-lesbian-storyline” it’s at “The List” website (UK). Do I have some sort of right to be offended that he’s made the lesbian a lizard woman?! I feel offended.

asked by up17steps

I remember seeing the article it was in…

There are SO many things wrong with this article, it’s almost difficult to begin. In A Good Man Goes to War, we were introduced to Madame Vastra and her maid, Jenny. At first it was an interesting relationship despite the obvious power imbalance. However, as the episode went on, they were turned into, once again, a gay joke (‘I don’t know why you put up with me… *shows off the extensive length of her tongue and then shares a look with Jenny*). Personally, I had absolutely no issue with the fact that she was an alien, but I suppose I can see where you’re coming from? There have been interspecies relationships on Doctor Who in the past, and it shows that there are other sexualities in other species as well. I think the main issue is now she’s being made into the ‘token lesbian’ to flirt with other women. Why is she ‘getting the hots’ for the new Companion? What in the world happened to Jenny and their relationship?? Is this going to be another instance of ‘bisexuals are too busy having fun’ or whatever, but with lesbians this time? It makes no sense.

Also, the title of that article. ‘Lesbian shocker’??? LESBIANS ARE NOT SHOCKING. They’re non-heterosexual people, but that’s just what they are. People. This is coming off as another way of fetishising women and a leary form of the male gaze. A lesbian storyline?? NO. That wasn’t what fans wanted when they wanted a Vastra/Jenny spinoff. We wanted to see a positively portrayed lesbian couple who kick ass and take names. We didn’t want the focus to be solely on their sexuality, just women being women and THEN lesbians. And now Moffat’s taken that in his mind to mean ‘MORE LESBIANS!!’ and that alone.

Moffat always tries to ‘shake things up’ using gay characters, which is why I could never see him as an advocate for LGBT rights. The way I see it, he uses them as punchlines, ways to gain favour, and as a self-esteem booster. Moffat is not gay himself and he doesn’t have the right to keep doing that, especially if he continually refuses to listen and respect the opinions and criticisms of actual non-heterosexual people.

And that last sentence of the article. ‘Starred as a lesbian…’? No. Just no.

- Sway