It’s been decades since the notion of a gay character on a TV series was considered taboo, yet there are still trails to be blazed when it comes to introducing gay characters on shows.
This is the case for the Disney Channel, which has yet to feature an LGBTQ character on any of its tween-themed series — until now.
When the channel’s popular teen-themed series “Andi Mack” returns this week with its second season, a storyline will focus on one of the youngsters on the show coming out to friends as openly gay.
“Andi Mack” follows the adventures of the titular 13-year-old (played by Peyton Elizabeth Lee) whose world is rocked when her older sister, Bex (Lilan Bowden), returns home and reveals that she’s actually Andi’s mother.
While the first season focused on Andi’s relationship with Bex, it also explored her longtime crush on classmate Jonah (Asher Angel), and the upcoming season-two premiere will see Andi’s pal Cyrus (Joshua Rush) struggle with his own feelings for Jonah as he comes out to his friends.
“‘Andi Mack’ is a story about ‘tweens’ figuring out who they are,'” a Disney Channel spokesperson told the New York Daily News in a statement. “[Series creator] Terri Minsky, the cast and everyone involved in the show takes great care in ensuring that it’s appropriate for all audiences and sends a powerful message about inclusion and respect for humanity.”
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GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis issued a statement to Deadline praising the show: “With more and more young people coming out as LGBTQ, ‘Andi Mack’ is reflecting the lives and lived experiences of so many LGBTQ youth around the country,” she said. “Disney has been a leader in LGBTQ inclusion and there are so many young people who will be excited to see Cyrus’ story unfold.
The one-hour season premiere of “Andi Mack” premieres Friday, Oct. 27 on Disney Channel.
