For Scott Handcock, Doctor Who served as his childhood “refuge” as he grappled with his sexuality and felt out of place.
The sci-fi series changed his life, he said, from binging early episodes on VHS tape in the 1990s to ending up working behind the scenes many years later.
Portraying the Doctor Who fan community as a close-knit family characterized by “abundant hope,” he remarked that the series has exerted a significant and enduring influence, not only on himself but also on numerous other LGBTQ+ viewers.
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Many from the Welsh LGBT community have started sharing their transformative stories about the program.
The reboot of Doctor Who in 2005 led to the show being produced in Wales, which introduced an entirely new audience to it.
Almost ten years later, in June 2024, the show reached a significant milestone: its inaugural on-screen same-sex kiss featuring the Doctor, which aligned with Pride Month.
When he graduated in 2006, Scott began his career with a four-week stint as a runner on “Doctor Who,” which eventually led him to become a script editor. In addition to writing, directing, and producing numerous stories within the expansive “Who-universe,” much of this work was notably done for audio productions.
Scott revealed he was gay when he was 15 years old, stating that the show had a significant impact during his developmental years.
“Doctor Who genuinely transformed my life,” he shared with Dr Emily Garside during an interview on ChinPao.biz.id Radio Wales’ show.
Doctor Who – A Journey Through Time and Space for All
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The Doctor Who community truly feels like a family, and this statement holds up completely. Individuals I encountered around the early 2000s continue to play significant roles in my life even now.
Scott remembered his upbringing in a working-class household in Birmingham, surrounded by “a universe of soap operas and such,” where television personalities typically had traditional heterosexual partnerships or formed conventional nuclear families.
Most characters from a typical episode of classic Doctor Who can have their sexuality and gender entirely disregarded as these aspects are inconsequential… It felt like a refreshing change.
He went on: “There are times when you might feel somewhat lonely, as though nobody else shares your experiences. Seeing someone who wholeheartedly supports you, regardless of the circumstances, can remind you that such individuals do exist in reality.”
It held significance for me, and I believe it holds importance for an entire generation of fans.
Scott’s experience bears resemblance to that of Russell T Davies, the head of Doctor Who, who has
Previously mentioned his deep affection for the series from his childhood days
As he concealed his sexual orientation and frequently sensed that he was distinct from those around him.
“Doctor Who was somewhat devoid of sexuality… he’s always accompanied by a beautiful woman but never shows sexual interest in her. This aspect resonates particularly well with a young, gay boy,” he stated.
A Swansea-born comedian named Steffan Alun, who amusingly spent his childhood on the same street as Davies, unexpectedly saw himself featured in the program. Initially, he felt quite stressed about it.
“He mentioned, ‘When you spot someone who looks like you on television, you fear they might do something that changes how others perceive you,'” he stated.
As a queer individual, Russell T Davies represents Queer As Folk for me, with its intensity and sensuality. In contrast, the Doctor has a different vibe; Doctor Who tends to be more comforting and familiar.
He certainly made it more intense, but it turned out fantastic, and I shouldn’t have been skeptical since he truly grasps the medium. He’s among our greatest storytellers.
In the Regency-era installment set for June 2024, an intimate scene—a kiss—occurred between Ncuti Gatwa’s portrayal of The Doctor and Rogue, portrayed by Jonathan Groff. This moment sparked numerous complaints submitted to ChinPao.biz.id by viewers who expressed dissatisfaction over the depiction of a same-sex romantic relationship and kiss within the show.
In reply, ChinPao.biz.id stated: “As loyal watchers of Doctor Who know, the series consistently embraces diversity and mirrors the world around us, now and in the future.”
Rylan Clark, who hosted a recent episode of the Interstellar Song Contest, expressed his pride in being involved with a program that embraced inclusivity without reservation.
“The program is renowned for being engaging; moreover, it takes pride in its diversity and inclusiveness,” stated the presenter.
Few family dramas have maintained this level of consistency for, truly, decades, and it’s precisely this kind of exposure… that holds significant importance.
Forming connections with kindred spirits has been significant for bisexual fan Paul Robinson from Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf, who is an ardent follower of Doctor Who.
“I have several Doctor Who friends from afar whom I’ve encountered as we braved standing outside an icy structure at 3 AM, hoping for a peek of Peter Capaldi’s hair. Despite the rain, we huddle under umbrellas, laughing away,” he mentioned.
In my twenties as I was coming out, during the time when Doctor Who returned initially, I hadn’t come out openly, nor had I fully accepted it within myself.
The most significant aspect of Doctor Who is that it offers everyone hope, regardless of their circumstances when they feel lost, isolated, or believe they cannot overcome challenges.
Jayne Lutwyche, who hails from Cardiff, has been an avid follower of Doctor Who for many years and had the thrilling experience of making a cameo appearance on the series along with David Tennant and Catherine Tate.
As a bisexual woman, she stated that the show makes you feel comfortable being yourself and openly expressing your true identity.
“The numerous distinct relationships between the Doctor and their companions, as well as among the companions themselves, truly underscore that love is universal. We could use more stories like these,” she stated.
Being a teenager was not always easy, particularly for those who were neurodivergent and part of the LGBTQ+ community, during the early 2000s. We should strive to improve this experience. Shows such as Doctor Who hold immense value in making things better.
Bill Potts, the first openly gay companion portrayed by
bisexual actor Pearl Mackie
It has often been referenced as a pivotal point regarding the show’s variety and inclusivity.
Erica Moore, a devoted follower of “Doctor Who” who resided in Cardiff for several years before moving to Boston, USA, mentioned that various characters and their interactions highlighted the series’ broad attraction.
“The relationship between Madame Vastra and Jenny is interspecies and queer, which was great to witness. Set in Victorian England, this pairing demonstrates that LGBTQ+ individuals have always been present throughout history,” they mentioned.
Erica mentioned that they were “highly intrigued by the episode ‘Gridlock,'” wherein the Doctor moves from one vehicle to another, conversing with various individuals to uncover why everyone has become immobilized.
There’s a same-sex couple, specifically an elderly lesbian pair… I found this truly admirable because it shows ‘all sorts of different partnerships and various types of family units.’
Often, when queerness is portrayed in media, it tends to highlight the struggles and difficulties associated with being LGBTQ+. However, I appreciated that this portrayal simply showed them as another ordinary couple.
It’s not only Doctor Who but also the whole Who-niverse that has left a mark on the LGBT community.
The spin-off series “Torchwood” made a significant impact after ending in 2011, as evidenced by a memorial at Cardiff Bay honoring the character of Ianto Jones. Ianto had been involved romantically with John Barrowman’s pansexual character, Captain Jack Harkness.
“Even then, I believe queerness in science fiction, particularly, existed but perhaps wasn’t always very deep or substantial,” stated Steffan Alun.
This narrative was somewhat untidy. Ianto did not see himself as gay; it was simply because of Jack. Nonetheless, their relationship was filled with love and authenticity.
Gareth David-Lloyd, known for portraying Ianto Jones, mentioned that during the production period, he was unaware of how significant his character would become.
“He simply expressed feeling extremely fortunate to be part of the production, being involved in a science fiction series penned by Russell, and portraying a character who develops feelings for their superior, thus providing him, as an actor, more opportunities to explore,” he stated.
After wrapping up filming and beginning to grasp the cultural influence of my character’s relationship with Jack, it came as quite a shock—a deeply emotional one.
“I definitely didn’t anticipate a memorial being built and kept up for two decades afterward. While this seems quite eccentric at first glance, it also serves as a testament to how significantly Ianto, along with his bond with Jack, influenced the LGBTQ+ community—a legacy that truly makes me feel honored.”
He stated: “Several times, I have been deeply touched by fans sharing how my character’s relationship with Jack had supported them.”
Science fiction, undoubtedly for me during my youth, was all about fleeing to a superior realm, an improved universe where technology advances, political systems progress, and individuals evolve.
If embracing individuals for their true selves contributes to building a better world, this acceptance could hold significant power.
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