Then make it 19th Century speculative fiction. I'm sure at least one of Jules Verne's protagonists weren't enamored with the British Empire's darker subjects, and giving him a Moorish wife, or a Persian fiancee would be just as bizarre.
As to this being a reimagining, it's really not. The biggest difference between Shatner's Kirk and Pine's is that the latter lost his dad, and was acting out as a result. Making him GLBTQA on top of that actually feeds more into current stereotypes than making a positive statement.
I'm all for minority representation, but diversity for the sake of it comes off fake, and retconning an already well-established character for the same purpose is actively irritating. Again, if you want a gay character in the new continuity, what's wrong with Sulu? I don't remember him ever having an on-screen love interest, and even Demora can be easily explained as being adopted or the result of artificial insemination.
no subject
As to this being a reimagining, it's really not. The biggest difference between Shatner's Kirk and Pine's is that the latter lost his dad, and was acting out as a result. Making him GLBTQA on top of that actually feeds more into current stereotypes than making a positive statement.
I'm all for minority representation, but diversity for the sake of it comes off fake, and retconning an already well-established character for the same purpose is actively irritating. Again, if you want a gay character in the new continuity, what's wrong with Sulu? I don't remember him ever having an on-screen love interest, and even Demora can be easily explained as being adopted or the result of artificial insemination.