Doctor Who’s 60^th anniversary has hit the screens in Australia. Yak Writer, Ezra Platt explores how the new series highlights gender and acceptance and its relation to the issues that afflict identity as a whole, in Australia.

Bernie’s, Newcastle’s’ premier LGBTQ+ bar on King Street, recently hosted a watch party for Whovians as the iconic British series brought back the beloved David Tennant. Besides preparing themed cocktails, such as the screwdriver, fish fingers and custard which is making a comeback for those willing to try, Bernie’s was transformed into its very own Tardis.

Watching on as the Tenth Doctor graced our screens again with their adorable little quirks and plenty of running invoking a strong sense of nostalgia, the story jumps right in with the Doctor dropping down in London to see someone in distress. Who? None other than Donna Noble, the very person they have potentially been avoiding for the last fifteen years (has it been that long!), though the way these two actors work together, it doesn’t feel like it.

Sourced from Pixabay

At this moment, the audience meets Rose Noble (Donna Noble’s daughter), portrayed by Yasmin Finney.

Drawing parallels to Yasmin’s previous work in Heartstopper, graphic novel turned Netflix series, it establishes awareness and a sense of belonging in children and young adults who grow up feeling different. It further empowers individuals to challenge societal norms and be comfortable in presenting themselves to the world.

With only a short scene highlighting that Rose is transgender, it paves the way to establish groundwork in providing more future representational characters and gender fluidity in the industry, and in contemporary storytelling; with Yasmin’s performance drawing heavily on her own experiences as a young transwoman.

The Meep, an alien introduced in the first special, highlights the use of (or lack thereof)  pronouns in identity. After The Doctor asks its preferred pronouns, The Meep responds “it’s not any gender but itself (a definitive article)”. As quoted from a previous Doctor, Timelords are also considered as such, as they are “billions of years beyond human gender and associated stereotypes”. They are themselves in every new incarnation.

In Jodie’s (Thirteenth Doctor) era and possibly in a meaning behind Rose’s binary/nonbinary line, The Doctor has been perceived as enby (non-binary) and might be presumed a particular gender based on how they present to the culture around them, even though based on the definitive article the best way to address them is just that, The Doctor.

In the final special, we are faced with The Doctor regenerating again only to discover, though the laser beam forced the change, within the chaos, order, and play they were still stuck and needed the help of others around them to find the ‘better version’ of themselves.

“It’s a tremendous thing, to have a home, and for many Bernie’s has become just that. I see so many enter the doors and their whole bodies lift, as if an invisible weight has come off their shoulders.” – Bernie’s staff member 

Watching the recent Doctor Who with fellow queers was a wonderful experience. There were a few instances of collective reactions, such as when Donna told Rose, “I would burn the world for you, darling”, that put a salve across many hearts which still burn with rejection. I for one being apart of the trans community felt how strong this particular line was for people that might not hear that so much, and how something so simple could warm so many hearts. We also collectively agree that Yasmin was a marvellous Rose, and would love to see her become a companion or given more airtime.

Support and safe spaces are improving in Newcastle, like the University of Newcastle’s Queer Guild which consists of staff, students and members of the broader university community and provides advocacy, support and a safe space for all identifying and questioning peers. As for the impact of Bernie’s, they have shared with us how the meaning of home is reminiscent within its walls.

Looking toward the future of representation within media, queerness could become less clunky and be treated more everyday. In a way, Bernie’s staff opinion on that Doctor Who has been evolving in line with the understanding of broader society, can be agreed upon, however queerness beyond binary and how to portray that to a large, varied audience is something most shows are still figuring out.

 “In 900 years in time and space, I’ve never met anyone that wasn’t important.” – Matt Smith (Eleventh Doctor).

Feature Image sourced from Pixabay