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Disney Channel to Have Its FIRST Main LGBTQ+ Character Come-Out Story - And I'm Happy

Disney Channel
Disney has proven yet again why I love it so much!

 It has been recently revealed that one of Disney Channel's current and most popular shows, Andi Mack, which follows the life of it's middle school title character (played by Peyton Elizabeth Lee), will make history by starting its second season with one of its main characters coming out as gay.

Season two of Andi Mack will open with Andi Mack's best friend Cyrus, played by Joshua Rush, realizing that he has a crush on Andi's crush, Jonah Beck. The second season then will explore Cyrus coming to terms with understanding and accepting himself, confiding to his best friend Buffy (Sofia Wylie), and ultimately what he will choose to do with his current relationship with his girlfriend Iris and in relating to his social group.

If you're reading this, thinking "what's the big deal about this??!" I actually am happy in a sense, because you realize that there should be nothing weird about there being a gay character on a TV show (or any other orientation or identity for that matter) because there is nothing wrong with being anything other than heterosexual. But still, in terms of social conversation and what it means in modern children's television shows, it's a big deal.

 Big deal not only because Cyrus' coming to terms with being gay will become Disney Channel's first main gay character coming-out story line, but this LGBTQ+ narrative is important in terms of being more LGBTQ+ inclusive and offering representation in media, particularly within a TV show aimed at children. Although some incredibly amazing progress has been made as of late in multiple countries in relation to progressive legislation, increased LGBTQ+ tolerance and protection, proper LGBTQ+ presence and representation in media forms like TV shows and movies is still behind and also important, which is why Cyrus' journey to understanding his orientation and coming to terms with it in Andi Mack is very much significant.

Joshua Rush, who plays Cyrus, too realizes the importance of Cyrus' coming out on Andi Mack and visibility onscreen, sharing on Instagram how "Starting conversations about trust, love, relationships and family dynamics is easier when you have a show that you can relate to. Andi Mack gives young people and their parents, mentors, and champions a meaningful way to talk about these topics and the power to decide their futures."

Rush wraps up his message by sharing how "proud" he is of bringing "Cyrus' groundbreaking storyline to life."

Disney Channel also released a statement, saying "Andi Mack is a story about tweens figuring out who they are; [Show creator] Terry 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." And the last five words of Disney Channel's statement are key: the importance of inclusion and respect for humanity. 

For as long as I've watched Disney Channel - since when another show by Terri Minsky, Lizzie McGuire, was on TV, actually - as a network it has been about trying to embrace all diversity possible, sharing diverse but equally valid stories, all whilst instilling a sense of magic and hope within children - no matter their background, what they look like, or who they are.

Further in their commitment to deliver Cyrus' story arc authentically and appropriately, Minsky and Disney Channel consulted with child development experts and gave an early screening of the season premiere to various organizations including GLAAD, PFLAG, The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and Common Sense Media, which voiced support.

While President and CEO of GLAAD, Sarah Kate Ellis, shared that "Andi Mack is reflecting the lives and lived experiences of so many LGBTQ youth around the country" and noting the importance of television reflecting "the real life world and today that includes LGBTQ youth who deserve to see their lives depicted on their favorite shows," Jaime M. Grant, Executive Director of PFLAG National said "Andi Mack's creative team captures this moment of revelation [coming out] with such thought, care, and authenticity; it will be a memory moment for some, and a teachable moment for many."

So for that, thank you, Disney Channel. I realize multiple TV shows, films, and platforms have started to offer more amazing support to the LGBTQ+ community and have already included diverse LGBTQ+ characters (and for all of that I thank you a billion times), and the inclusion of such characters and story arcs might not seem like a big deal, but they are, and it's for such that it's especially important for children's shows to also be inclusive. Not only to offer the much needed authentic representation of LGBTQ+ people in media, but to also help any LGBTQ+ person watching not feel alone, like their feelings aren't valid, and realize that there's nothing wrong with the way they are, and, as Joshua Rush said, help make it easier to have a "meaningful way to talk about these topics."

There is nothing wrong with being part of the LGBTQ+ community, there should only be pride and love. #LoveISLove

May many more TV shows, films, and other platforms take initiative and be as inclusive. 

If you are interested on watching 'Andi Mack', the show will premiere tomorrow, Friday October 27, on Disney Channel at 8 PM ET in the United States. 
For more information and resources for LGBTQ+ youth, go to https://www.glaad.org/ or https://www.thetrevorproject.org/, which offers 24/7 help for LGBTQ+ youth.

Sincerely, a very happy Dora Goto

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