Go go Power Rangers!
On March 20th, 2017, just four days prior to the release of the new reboot of the Power Rangers, it was announced that Trini (the Yellow Power Ranger, played by Becky G.) would be queer.
In one of the film’s shining moments, The Yellow Ranger comes to terms with her sexuality. According to The Hollywood Reporter, one character assumes that Trini is having “boyfriend problems” when in fact she is having “girlfriend problems.” The film’s director Dean Israelite calls the moment “pivotal” towards the movie as a whole.
This scene can not only show a new generation of Power Ranger fans that gay is okay, but it can also give girls struggling with coming to terms with their sexuality a role model. Trini tells these girls struggling to grasp their sexuality that it is okay to work through this process and that coming out should only happen when one is ready. Ultimately, as Israelite said to The Hollywood Reporter, “The movie is saying… all kids have to own who they are and find their tribe.”
The further implications of creating a queer Power Ranger are that this could help in normalizing LGBTQ+ characters in films not just meant for adults, but also children. If this film performs well to audiences of not only teens and adults, but children (especially those in the 9-12 years old range), then followers of the Power Rangers film can see the series progress and thus see Trini’s character further develop.
Once upon a time, the very idea of children seeing gay people was alarming to many people (and this tragically still holds true to a degree in today’s society); however, the idea that children will want to dress up as their favorite Power Ranger, Trini (a lesbian Power Ranger) around Halloween, shows the LGBTQ+ community making progress.
Even if you aren’t a fan of the Power Rangers, you cannot help but admire the progressive statement being made at showing a queer girl coming to accept her sexual orientation. This character is sure to pack a punch and forever be noted as having a large role in helping to normalize gay people for kids of all ages and adults as well. One can certainly feel pride at the statement Israelite is making; I know I sure do.
