Changes

In addition to his views on religion and politics, Roddenberry had controversial views on relationships. A kiss between Kirk ([[William Shatner]]) and Uhura ([[Nichelle Nichols]]) was aired in 1968.<ref>“Plato’s Stepchildren,” Nov.  22, 1968.</ref> This is generally considered the first interracial kiss on U.S. television, although Sammy Davis Jr. did give Nancy Sinatra a peck on the check almost a year earlier.<ref>''Movin' with Nancy'', Dec. 11, 1967.</ref><ref>Miss Cellania, "[http://www.neatorama.com/2013/04/10/TVs-First-Interracial-Kiss/#!rjF17 TV's First Interracial Kiss]”, ''Neatorama'',  April 10, 2013.</ref> Picard and Lily had an interracial kiss in ''Star Trek: First Contact'' (1996), although this was only a brief goodbye kiss.

In addition to his views on religion and politics, Roddenberry had controversial views on relationships. A kiss between Kirk ([[William Shatner]]) and Uhura ([[Nichelle Nichols]]) was aired in 1968.<ref>“Plato’s Stepchildren,” Nov.  22, 1968.</ref> This is generally considered the first interracial kiss on U.S. television, although Sammy Davis Jr. did give Nancy Sinatra a peck on the check almost a year earlier.<ref>''Movin' with Nancy'', Dec. 11, 1967.</ref><ref>Miss Cellania, "[http://www.neatorama.com/2013/04/10/TVs-First-Interracial-Kiss/#!rjF17 TV's First Interracial Kiss]”, ''Neatorama'',  April 10, 2013.</ref> Picard and Lily had an interracial kiss in ''Star Trek: First Contact'' (1996), although this was only a brief goodbye kiss.

Roddenberry was also supportive of same-sex relationships, and wanted to integrate homosexual characters into his second series, ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'', reasoning that by the 24th century "no one would care." However, this proposal was met with resistance by [[Paramount Studios]] who reasoned that because the show would eventually be syndicated, it would be accessible to young children for whom such material would be extremely inappropriate.  There are some hints of Roddenberry's [[homosexual agenda]] in early episodes of TNG, such as the notorious background extras wearing skirts.<ref>[http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/memoryalpha/en/images/e/ee/Man_in_a_skant.jpg Here] is an image.</ref>

Roddenberry was also supportive of same-sex relationships, and wanted to integrate homosexual characters into his second series, ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'', reasoning that by the 24th century "no one would care." According to his personal assistant, Ernie Over, "'''He had an agenda (see [[homosexual agenda]]), which was to ger gay people onto 'Star Trek.'"'''<ref name=salon> http://www.salon.com/2001/06/30/gay_trek/</ref> However, this proposal was met with resistance by [[Paramount Studios]] who reasoned that because the show would eventually be syndicated, it would be accessible to young children for whom such material would be extremely inappropriate.  There are some hints of Roddenberry's in early episodes of TNG, such as the notorious background extras wearing skirts.<ref>[http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/memoryalpha/en/images/e/ee/Man_in_a_skant.jpg Here] is an image.</ref>

An early episode of TNG, "Blood and Fire," was intended to be an allegory for AIDS and was to feature homosexual characters. It was never produced, but went on to be used in the fan-produced ''Star Trek: Phase II''. <ref>spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2013/09/11/tv-legends-revealed-star-trek-tng-wouldnt-air-episode-with-gay-crewmen/</ref>

An early episode of TNG, "Blood and Fire," was intended to be an allegory for AIDS and was to feature homosexual characters. It was never produced, but went on to be used in the fan-produced ''Star Trek: Phase II''. <ref>http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2013/09/11/tv-legends-revealed-star-trek-tng-wouldnt-air-episode-with-gay-crewmen/</ref> Roddenberry repeatedly promised to broach the issue in later seasons but never did before his death. Notably, Whoopi Goldberg attempted to use [[politically correct]], gender-neutral language when explaining sexuality but was rebuffed. "She said, ‘This show is beyond that. It should be “When two people are in love.”‘ And so it was decided on set that one of the tables in the background should have two men holding hands — or two women, or whatever. But someone ran to a phone and made a call to the production office and that was nixed. [Producer] David Livingston came down and made sure that didn’t happen."</ref>

Despite the absence of major homosexual characters, several storylines have indirectly depicted homosexual and other relationships in a positive, or at the very least ambiguous light. For example, in ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'', Commander William Riker (presumed heterosexual from a previous relationship with Deanna Troi) falls in love with an individual from an androgynous race.<ref>''The Outcast'', originally aired Mar. 16, 1992.</ref>

Despite the absence of major homosexual characters, several storylines have indirectly depicted homosexual and other relationships in a positive, or at the very least ambiguous light. For example, in ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'', Commander William Riker (presumed heterosexual from a previous relationship with Deanna Troi) falls in love with an individual from an androgynous race.<ref>''The Outcast'', originally aired Mar. 16, 1992.</ref>