Disney Channel is big business in the pre-teen/actual teen world.
It’s shows are beloved and obsessed over with the type of passion you only possess in your younger years, their stars become teen idols, then world-beating, pap-hounded celebrities; the likes of Demi Lovato, Zac Efron, Selena Gomez, Hilary Duff, and Miley Cyrus all got their starts on the Disney Channel.
Plus, Topanga.
The Disney Channel’s current hit show is Andi Mack, based around a group of three 13-year-olds — two girls, one boy — who basically do that reverse-Boy Meets World thing the Disney Channel can nail in its sleep (not to be confused with Girl Meets World, which also does this). The show was created by Terri Minsky who brought the world Lizzie McGuire, so we trust her implicitly. Right?
The second series opener features the main boy character (let’s call him Cyrus, as this is his name) slowly realising he is attracted to a male classmate. This is the beginning of a season-long arc, as Cyrus (played by the awesomely-named Joshua Rush) starts to deal with these feelings, and what it all means.
While the Disney Channel has featured one-off episodes with gay characters, this marks the first time it has spanned a story arc, and involved one of the main characters of a show.
“Andi Mack is a story about tweens figuring out who they are”, a Disney Channel spokesperson said. “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.”
Obviously this is touchy stuff for the family-friendly Disney Channel, given the show is a time-slot hit for the 6-14 segment.
Hollywood Reporter writes the company sought advice from child development experts, as well as screening the episode in advance to members of PLAG and GLAAD.
“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,” GLAAD president Sarah Kate Ellis said.
“Television reflects the real life world and today that includes LGBTQ youth who deserve to see their lives depicted on their favorite shows. Disney has been a leader in LGBTQ inclusion and there are so many young people who will be excited to see Cyrus’ story unfold.”
“Sharing one’s innermost self can be challenging, and to do so as an adolescent can be particularly so, especially when in the midst of figuring it out for yourself”, explained PFLAG executive director Dr. Jaime M. Grant
“Coming out requires honest self-reflection, no small amount of bravery, and a safe place with at least one trusted person — a friend, a parent, a teacher — who can hold your confidence … and your heart. Andi Mack’s creative team captures this moment of revelation with such thought, care and authenticity; it will be a memory moment for some, and a teachable moment for many.”
