'The Walking Dead' responds to homophobic backlash against an LBGTQ storyline
The Walking Dead is taking aim at homophobia, as well as zombies.
After a small, but vocal segment of viewers responded negatively to the inclusion of a gay couple in the spin-off series The Walking Dead: World Beyond, the franchise responded from its official Twitter account.
“If LBGTQ+ characters on television (or anywhere) make you uncomfortable or angry, please unfollow us,” the statement reads. “While we also encourage you to look within and be more accepting, know that there is no place in our fandom for hateful discrimination or willful ignorance.”
Premiering last October, World Beyond was a teen-centric variation on The Walking Dead, following four adolescents who are among the first generation to grow up in a world populated by brain-eating monsters. Several adults join them in the course of their journey, including former security officer Felix Carlucci (Nico Tortorella) and boyfriend, Will Campbell, played by Broadway star Jelani Alladin.
On Jan. 25, Alladin discussed the couple’s relationship on the Talk Dead to Me podcast, noting how much he appreciated that the show’s writers approached the romance in a completely ordinary manner. “It was just two men who happened to be in love. There was no need to explain anything further. I love that The Walking Dead is putting that forward: that LGBTQ relationships are nothing different than any other kind of relationship.”
That interview awakened online trolls who criticized the show’s attempts at LGBTQ+ inclusion. “I don’t like how every character simply HAS TO HAVE A LOVE INTEREST. Oh we can’t find a character for you, screw it you’re gay with this guy. It’s so fake just for added emotional drama,” wrote one YouTube commenter.
The Walking Dead franchise — which has a strong track record of featuring LGBTQ+ characters across its shows — wasted little time stepping in and shutting those trolls down, posting its statement on Twitter the day after Alladin’s interview. And fans are thrilled that they spoke up.
| by Anonymous | reply 31 | January 28, 2021 4:06 PM
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Of course the gay couple has to be interracial...
| by Anonymous | reply 1 | January 27, 2021 10:26 PM
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So what, R1?
Nico Tortorella is cute as hell.
I watch for him, and not the "wokeness" of WDWB.
| by Anonymous | reply 2 | January 27, 2021 10:27 PM
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He's not since he got all those stupid tats.
| by Anonymous | reply 3 | January 27, 2021 10:30 PM
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[quote] Of course the gay couple has to be interracial...
That puts them ahead of Norman Lear who would only depict interracial relationships if they were heterosexual ones.
| by Anonymous | reply 4 | January 27, 2021 10:33 PM
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How the hell would the black character get his hair cut like that during a zombie apocalypse? He’s still going to the barbershop to get faded and lined up?
| by Anonymous | reply 5 | January 27, 2021 10:38 PM
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If you won't depict gays without also pushing TQ+ propaganda, then you are no ally and we politely ask you to stop including us in your shows altogether. We want GOOD representation.
| by Anonymous | reply 6 | January 27, 2021 10:41 PM
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Sorry Mary R3, but Nico IS hot!!!!
| by Anonymous | reply 7 | January 27, 2021 10:41 PM
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Tattoos are a boner-killer no matter who they're on.
| by Anonymous | reply 8 | January 27, 2021 10:42 PM
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OP Are you doing PR for this shit show?
And Nico is still insufferable and tiresome.
| by Anonymous | reply 11 | January 27, 2021 10:50 PM
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Winner, R11! I thought the same thing.
| by Anonymous | reply 12 | January 27, 2021 10:57 PM
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Tortorelli's nose is as long and twisted as this dead woman's
| by Anonymous | reply 13 | January 27, 2021 11:09 PM
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All three of the Walking Dead series are very multicultural. In the Zombie Apocalypse every single group of survivors, no matter where in the country they are located, are a perfect mix of 25% white, 25% black, 25% Latinx and 25% mixed race/racially ambiguous. Even in Bumfucke towns in Georgia and Oklahoma.
| by Anonymous | reply 14 | January 28, 2021 1:20 AM
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I gave up on this dull as dirt spinoff before this gay couple ever appeared. God, it was mind numbingly boring.
| by Anonymous | reply 15 | January 28, 2021 1:37 AM
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I ask a crazy question? Why in the hell is the show still on? Norman Reedus’s wig needs to be burned.
| by Anonymous | reply 16 | January 28, 2021 1:48 AM
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Zombie shows are for children.
| by Anonymous | reply 17 | January 28, 2021 1:51 AM
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Not many children on these shows r17.
| by Anonymous | reply 18 | January 28, 2021 2:05 AM
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R18 Well, there are, and then they kill them.
| by Anonymous | reply 19 | January 28, 2021 2:07 AM
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The gay amputee character in the Walking Dead is interesting, His prosthetic has "attachments " much like a Crusinart !!!
| by Anonymous | reply 20 | January 28, 2021 2:40 AM
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Are you talking about Aaron, R20?
| by Anonymous | reply 21 | January 28, 2021 3:25 AM
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Well they employed queer homophobe Nico tortellini in is, so they deserve a backlash of some kind tbh
| by Anonymous | reply 22 | January 28, 2021 4:04 AM
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Aaron is still the hottest gay in the Walking Dead universe. Nico ruined his hot body with so many ugly tattoos. Such a shame and unfortunate trend these days amongst hot guys who make poor life choices...
| by Anonymous | reply 23 | January 28, 2021 10:10 AM
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I can’t believe there is a THIRD Walking Dead series now. I finally gave up on them all a few years ago.
| by Anonymous | reply 24 | January 28, 2021 12:35 PM
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[quote] I can’t believe there is a THIRD Walking Dead series now. I finally gave up on them all a few years ago.
With even more in the works, R24.
It's crazy!
| by Anonymous | reply 25 | January 28, 2021 12:40 PM
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Not unlike Game of Thrones. I just read yesterday that there's going to be an animated series spin-off. WTF?
| by Anonymous | reply 26 | January 28, 2021 12:54 PM
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Bet you they wouldn't complain if it was a lesbian couple though.
| by Anonymous | reply 27 | January 28, 2021 2:43 PM
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R28 No. Just someone with standards. Pure bloodlines are best.
| by Anonymous | reply 29 | January 28, 2021 2:49 PM
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R29
Right. You sound like a hetero white supremacist but sure, you aren’t racist.
| by Anonymous | reply 30 | January 28, 2021 3:06 PM
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Butt babies don’t live long, r29. “Bloodlines” don’t matter.
| by Anonymous | reply 31 | January 28, 2021 4:06 PM
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