Always Has Been and Always Will Be
The Queer, Jewish Legacy of Star Trek
Welcome! My name is Edie. I'm a third year IT student in the NYC area, and I use she/ze/they pronouns. Over the past several months, I have worked with Jewish Queer Youth, an NYC non-profit that connects queer Jewish teens and young adults with resources and community. As part of the 2023 Gesher Fellowship, I've designed a zine that focuses on the Queer and Jewish legacy of Star Trek, and how fan culture as we knew it came to be.
"The Premise" is the term used by early Trek fans to refer to the romantic and/or sexual relationship between Captain Jim Kirk and Commander Spock. Star Trek first aired in 1966, over four decades before homosexuality was legalized in all 50 states. These early fans were unable to discuss their ideas and opinions without fear of judgement, and "The Premise" became a code word of sorts among those who sought out likeminded authors and artists.
In the episode "The City on the Edge of Forever", when asked where he belongs, Edith Keeler told Spock "You? At his [Kirk's] side. As if you've always been there and always will". This sentiment is echoed later in the movies, as Spock tells Jim "You are my friend. I have been, and always will be yours". This sentiment mirrors the Hebrew verse "Ani L’dodi V’dodi Li,” (אני לדודי ודודי לי)- "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine".
The zine will be available for publication on Gumroad later this month!
Do you have any interesting annecdotes about your experience as a queer, jewish trekkie? Know anyone who would love to be quoted in the final zine about how much this meant to them? Please fill out the following form and I'll read your submission!
This site is a work in progress!