Disney Channel has made history as it featured its first-ever teenage gay couple in the series finale of Andi Mack.
The character of 13 year-old Cyrus Goodman (Joshua Rush) came out in the second season of the show, and in the final episode in the third series held hands with his fellow classmate TJ (Luke Mullen).
The actors then took to Twitter to celebrate the news with Rush writing:
“Guys, gals, and NB pals, I can now tell you: Tyrus endgame canon and confirmed.”
https://twitter.com/JoshuaRush/status/1154960649128165376
Mullen spoke about the privilege of being involved in Andi Mack: “Honoured to be a part of such a groundbreaking show. I hope my character can inspire people to be proud of who they are and love who they love.”
Honored to be apart of such a groundbreaking show. I hope my character can inspire people to proud of who they are and love who they love. #AndiMack #tyrusisendgame
— Luke Mullen (@thelukemullen) July 27, 2019
The family comedy-drama targeted at teenagers is based on Andi who learns a family secret that sends her on a journey of self-discovery. She’s not alone on this adventure as her best friends, Cyrus and Buffy, join her along the way.
Andi Mack is a groundbreaking show and has been continuously applauded for its accurate portrayal of the lives of young teenagers, receiving the GLAAD Media Award in Outstanding Kids and Family Programming in 2018. The show has dealt with learning disabilities, panic attacks and the unplanned pregnancy of Andi’s mother.
The show has been pushing boundaries from episode one which featured jokes about Nickelback and periods. The show is consistently praised for realism and its frank and honest discussions about issues that affect ordinary teenager’s lives.
In addition to this, it is the first show on the Disney Channel to star a majority Asian-American Family.
Although the show has ended, hopefully it has set a precedent for LGBT+ inclusivity in future Disney Channel programmes. The positive response to the programme will hopefully show that there is an audience who not only accept but enjoy the stories of the LGBT+ community.
© 2019 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
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