10 Examples Of How Progressive Disney Has Become
7. Andi Mack’s Gay Character
Having a gay character and having a character actually come out as gay are two very different things. It’s nice when gay people can just exist in media, but the fact is being gay introduces difficulties into your life which you wouldn’t have faced if you were straight.
By showing Cyrus go through this struggle and come out to his friends first, then his family, Disney Channel gets it note perfect.
Cyrus initially avoids the word ‘gay’, but this feels reflective of his own discomfort, rather than Disney leaning away from committing. He initially talks to his friend Buffy about feeling weird, and admits he likes one of their mutual friends, Jonah.
Buffy comforts him and accepts him, though it’s clear that Cyrus himself is having a hard time dealing with all of this. However, as the series goes on, Cyrus comes out to more and more people, each time growing in confidence.
It’s a realistic portrayal that accurately depicts the difficulties and often shame younger gay people have, without making it Cyrus’ only distinguishing feature or keeping his development shunted. He eventually gets used to saying the 'g word' too.