39 Sci-Fi Divas Gays Adore

By Jase Peeples

Science fiction has long been a genre where strong women have shone, but the ladies on the following list aren’t simply the strongest — they brought a new level of fabulous to the final frontier.

Whether she was reading her own rescue party (“Aren’t you a little short for a Storm Trooper?”) or leading the Rebel Alliance, the original diva from a galaxy far, far away never left any doubt the “fierce” is strong with this one. (As seen in the Star Wars saga.)

Serving cosmos couture realness on the daily, Padme proved you don’t have to sacrifice style for substance. The mother of Princess Leia managed to rule a planet, become one of the fiercest senators in the Galactic Republic, romance a hot young Jedi, sow the seeds of a rebellion, and look fabulous the entire time. (As seen in the Star Wars saga.)

It may have been Sam Flynn the sirens of The Grid claimed was “different,” but it was the sensational seductress, Gem, who stood out as one of the most captivating creatures in the digital frontier — flawless from heels to hair.  (As seen in Tron: Legacy)

Sadistic, brilliant, ruthless, and absolutely fabulous, the queen bitch of the Visitors made bad from beyond the stars look oh so good. (As seen in V.)

From catfights to one-liners, Lydia was the only diva in this short-lived sci-fi cult classic who could go claw-to-claw with the deadly Diana — and have us cheering for more the entire time. (As seen in V: The Series.)

A beauty whose brawn could match that of any space adventurer while proving it's possible to look stunning in white spandex as you play among the stars. (As seen in Buck Rogers.)

Only the dark diva of Krypton would have the sense to improve her goth wardrobe with additional accessories stolen from the droves of Earth’s ensemblely challenged. She remains the most deliciously deadly villainess the Man of Steel as ever faced on-screen. “Oh, Superman!” Indeed. (As seen in Superman II.)

Katniss Everdeen will always be the hero of the Hunger Games, but it’s Effie Trinket who remains the undisputed fashionista on fire. If looks could kill, this diva would be deadly. “Happy Hunger Games!” (As seen in The Hunger Games.) 

This diva’s performance shone brighter than a pulsar and delivered a sci-fi scene that upstaged the stars themselves. Her musical moment remains one that continues to make gay fans of the genre stand up and scream, “Yaaaas!” (As seen in The Fifth Element.)

The blond bombshell of the Borg served brains and beauty — verifying the theory that being brilliant and fabulous is far from futile. (As seen in Star Trek: Voyager.)

The dark sorceress brought a much-needed dash of style and elegance to Skeletor’s army. An evil enchantress whose fashion sense went so far beyond fabulous, it’s wicked. Obviously conquering couture is best served cold. (As seen in Masters of the Universe.)

A living embodiment of poise and majestic mystery wrapped in sophisticated style, while delivering such quotable lines as, “Is this testing whether I’m a replicant or a lesbian, Mr. Decard?” It’s not hard to see why gay fans have rushed to idolize this replicant for more than 30 years. (As seen in Blade Runner.) 

With that wig and outrageous costume, the ruthless ruler from beyond Thunderdome became an instant drag icon the moment she glided on screen, while Ms. Turner’s contribution to the sequel’s soundtrack inspired a generation of gays around the globe to sing “We Don’t Need Another Hero.” (As seen in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome.)

She may have claimed her specialty was love, but gay fans knew Barbarella’s true talent was her ability to be absolutely fabulous on any planet, and a fantastic study in the art of fierce in the final frontier. (As seen in Barbarella.)

Dressed in a skintight, armored catsuit and thigh-high stilettos, the original diva of the Cobra organization serves villainess realness like no other. She’s appeared in many different forms since debuting in 1982, but it’s her role in the first G.I. Joe animated series that earned her the status of “gay icon.” (As seen in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero.)

When a character makes her debut by throwing a party she defines as “just a couple hundred kids running around in their underwear, acting like complete animals,” she automatically rockets to the top of any list of a gay boy’s dream BFFs. (As seen in Weird Science.)

This deep space diva brought a level of fierce to Federation diplomacy where no one had gone before. The icons of Dynasty and The Colbys couldn’t hold a candle to the mother of Deanna Troi. (As seen in Star Trek: The Next Generation.)

The mistress of the Matrix managed to make scorpion kicks look sexy, gunplay glamorous, and head-to-toe pleather stylish. Is there any wonder why gays gasped every time Trinity leapt into action? (As seen in The Matrix trilogy.)

The sixth Cylon model redefined the meaning of sexy space siren for a new generation. Capable, clever, complicated, and able to pave the way for a hostile planetary invasion in heels — this is how a true deep space diva gets the job done. (As seen in Battlestar Galactica.)

Set phasers for stunning! The communications officer of the original starship Enterprise was the first character of color to be featured on American television in a position of authority — and the first to prove it’s possible to look absolutely flawless in a red Starfleet uniform as well. (As seen in Star Trek.)

She taught us how to pose perfectly while expressing our true feelings (“I hate her – I hate that queen!”) and that sometimes the greatest royalty in the room isn’t the one who’s wearing the crown. (As seen in Queen of Outer Space.)

The President of the Twelve Colonies didn’t need couture gowns and a perfectly painted mug to earn her diva status. Grace, poise under pressure, and an indomitable spirit are what made this politician so far beyond fierce, she was ferocious. (As seen in Battlestar Galactica.)

Style icon, mother, master manipulator, leader, and the architect of humanity’s destruction. It’s all just another day at the office for the queen of the Visitors, who surpassed her predecessor as the definition of a deadly diva in the 2009 remake of the sci-fi cult classic. (As seen in V.)

With a wardrobe fit for a goddess and the ability to work a space station corridor like a runway, this princess grabbed the attention of queens from her first appearance, and had us taking notes on how to seduce hunks in the 25^th century. (As seen in Buck Rogers.)

Being outrageously campy with her delivery of dialogue while decked out in an over-the-top costume would’ve been enough for General Kala to command diva status, but meeting her end by melting like a cosmic Wicked Witch of the West is what seals the deal. (As seen in Flash Gordon.)

Sleek. Streamlined. Sophisticated. The magnificent minimalist, and greatest scientific mind from Mothrai demonstrates the age-old adage, less is more — much more. (As seen in War of the Worlds, Season 2.)

Who’s the most fab Nexus 6 of all? She may have been described as a “basic pleasure model,” but there’s nothing basic about this badass bitch. Any girl who takes the time to update her look with a fierce face-painting session while hiding from her hunter and then goes on to land a back handspring onto Harrison Ford’s head is destined to grab a gaggle of gay fans. (As seen in Blade Runner.)

This genetically enhanced diva from a dystopian future looked fantastic whether she was kissing the boys or kicking their ass. Is there a gay among us who wouldn’t want the ability to do the same? (As seen in Dark Angel.)

From hands-on flight lessons with Flash Gordon to surviving the lashings of General Kala, there are many reasons we’d love to fill this diva’s decadent shoes. Did we mention she also owns a palace on her own secret pleasure moon? (As seen in Flash Gordon.)

This is a woman who can hold her own in the most violent, ruthless areas of the galaxy — and walk away from any battle without a single hair out of place. That’s a survival skill that tops any list as a must-have. (As seen in Farscape.) 

The London field agent of the secret organization International Rescue gave the whole dirty business an air of dignity. Fabulous on an international scale, Lady Penelope was a proper agent who never failed to hand out compliments when appropriate (“Good shooting, Parker) and glammed up even the most ghastly of missions. (As seen in Thunderbirds.)  

A trained assassin with the grace of a ballet dancer who can whup your ass while she whips her hair? Yes, please! (As seen in Firefly.) 

Whether she was fighting the Nazis or stopping an alien invasion, there has never been a more wondrous woman fighting for our rights in her satin tights. Also, it is a known fact that 90 percent of gay men who have watched the Amazing Amazon in action have wished they could twirl and transform into a fabulous outfit just like her — and the other 10 percent are lying. (As seen in Wonder Woman.)

Given her class, just the right amount of sass, and the mental discipline every aspiring diva should strive for, we sensed we’d love the counselor of the starship Enterprise NCC-1701-D from her first appearance, and our instincts were spot on. Plus, when it comes to best-dressed Starfleet officer, it’s not even a competition. Troi wins every time. (As seen in Star Trek: The Next Generation.)

A mischievous mutant who is both gender and sexually fluid ranks at the top of the fabulous scale, but throw in the fact that this is the kind of badass diva who flips off her enemies as she swiftly slides behind closing doors in the midst of a battle and she’s got a spot in our hearts for life. (As seen in X-Men: Days of Future Past.)

The pilot of the Pterodactyl Dinozord proved pink could be the most powerful and that gymnastics could indeed be a capable fighting form. (As seen in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers)

The wonderful woman who can wherk the weather is fabulous in any incarnation, but it was in her over-the-top speeches (“Lightning, deliver this place from darkness!”) in the '90s animated series that the character served us the greatest gay ol’ times. (As seen in X-Men.)

A classic never dies, and the original fembot of film showed the world a droid could be deliciously deviant. (As seen in Metropolis.)

Danger, Will Robinson! This drama queen delivered a camptastic performance to rule them all from 1965 to 1968 and taught us all how to properly clutch our pearls across the cosmos. (As seen in Lost in Space.)