Actor Wilson Cruz recently shared a homophobic incident he experienced at a convention for "Star Trek Day."
The out gay actor plays Doctor Hugh Culber on Star Trek: Discovery, who is married to Lieutenant Paul Stamets. The characters are the first gay couple on a Star Trek television show.
At an event for Star Trek Day, celebrating the 55th anniversary of the franchise, Cruz was onstage when a photo was snapped of him smiling at the crowd.
He shared this image on Twitter and asked if this was the moment when he heard a fan yell out a homophobic slur.
I wonder if this was the moment on stage when I heard a \u201cfan\u201d on Star Trek Day refer to me with a homophobic slur\u2026 Still smiling, though. You\u2019ll never kill my joy.pic.twitter.com/stdzmk0UqE— Wilson Cruz (@Wilson Cruz) 1631283609
The event had free admission, with about 200 people in attendance to the outdoor event. Comments from attendees corroborated the incident.
Many fans voiced support for Cruz.
Unfortunately, there are people who *starred* in Star Trek and never got its message.— Giggerton (@Giggerton) 1631336363
I am M. Pat. and I approve this message.— Manuel Paternoster (@Manuel Paternoster) 1631308608
Unacceptable and inexcusable what happened to Wilson Cruz at #StarTrekDay.— The Star Trek Communist (@The Star Trek Communist) 1631312808
A few fans were more defensive of Cruz, and told whoever yelled the slur they "just want to talk."
To whomever shouted a homophobic slur at Wilson Cruz and the Star Trek Discovery panel on #StarTrekDay: \n\n#LiveShortAndPerish #SarcasticVulcanSalute https://twitter.com/Mercuryal/status/1436460608677892096\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/FvaegmE8cj— Merc with a Mouth (@Merc with a Mouth) 1631320626
Me when I heard that guy use that homophobic slur to Wilson Cruz.pic.twitter.com/wWrNc79Qot— Jack Mc (@Jack Mc) 1631626347
Who said that garbage to Wilson Cruz? I just want to talk to them.pic.twitter.com/hyNzHW3ucG— Smooth Shrek (@Smooth Shrek) 1631300303
Someone made a huge mistake and used a homophobic slur at Wilson Cruz in an audience full of Trek fans. I shall in enjoy watching this person be found. I feel like this mission will be completed by the end of the day.https://twitter.com/trashman101/status/1436357548777562117\u00a0\u2026— Latisha Jones (@Latisha Jones) 1631291519
However, after some fans blamed the event organizers for not doing more, Cruz responded to the situation again. This time, he explained he couldn't pick the person out of the crowd himself, let alone expect the event organizers to do anything about it.
He also didn't want this to overshadow Star Trek Day and the celebration of the ideas and ideals of the series. It just meant some fans need to do better.
Being the class act he is, Cruz is the bigger man and wants to move on.
I REALLY didn\u2019t mean for this to blow up. It just means we have work to do. Let\u2019s do it and move beyond this trivial moment. They\u2019ve received enough attention, as it is. I\u2019m grateful for ALL of your care. I forget sometimes how much this fandom can go to bat when it wants!— Wilson Cruz (@Wilson Cruz) 1631303796
Yes, I'm thinking about Wilson Cruz getting called a f*g at the Star Trek Day celebration, but I'm also thinking about SMG, Mr. Avery Brooks, Tim Russ, Michael Dorn, Levar Burton... EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.— Carol Danvers LOVES Maria Rambeau (@Carol Danvers LOVES Maria Rambeau) 1631628327
Earlier this year, I wrote an article for @Treksphere highlighting the issue of Trek fandom and its relationship with hidden and explicit bigotry, and with what's happened recently to Wilson Cruz on Star Trek Day, this continues to be relevanthttps://treksphere.com/star-trek-universe/the-star-trek-fandom-and-its-hidden-bigotry/\u00a0\u2026— captain pike-a-chu #EatGregAbbott \ud83d\ude0b\ud83d\udd96 \u1430 (@captain pike-a-chu #EatGregAbbott \ud83d\ude0b\ud83d\udd96 \u1430) 1631339814
Cruz said he is done talking about it.
He told Forbes:
"This moment is not worthy of all of the attention it's getting. I regret saying anything at all, to be honest. I think the conversation and awareness that has been driven by this is enough."
"I just would rather not talk about it, anymore. It's taken away so much from what was a great event."
Star Trek: Discovery is set to premiere its fourth season later this year. The third season won an Emmy Award for its visual effects and was nominated for others.
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