'Star Trek' gets first LGBTQ character

"Star Trek" is going to get its first major LGBTQ character on big screen.

John Cho, who plays Hikaru Sulu -- the helmsman of the Starship Enterprise -- reveals that his character has a daughter with his same-sex partner in the next movie instalment "Star Trek Beyond", reports aceshowbiz.com.

"I liked the approach, which was not to make a big thing out it, which is where I hope we are going as a species, to not politicise one's personal orientations," Cho was quoted as saying by the Herald Sun newspaper.

He said the scene was written to honour George Takei, who played Sulu in the original 1960s television series.

Takei was forced to keep his sexuality secret during his early career but he has since become a prominent LGBTQ activist.

Directed by Justin Lin, "Star Trek Beyond" is set to release in US on July 22. It stars Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana and the late Anton Yelchin.

--IANS

ank/rbvt