Disney Channel has made history as it introduced the channel’s first gay character in the season premiere of the show, Andi Mack.
The story arc featured the channel’s first depiction of the coming-out journey of Cyrus Goodman, a supporting character in the series played by 15-year-old Joshua Rush.
In a statement made available to Deadline, Disney channel said:
“Andi Mack is a story about ‘tweens’ figuring out who they are. (Creator) 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.”
Deadline further reported that Minsky and Disney Channel, consulted with child development experts to ensure the story arc is age-appropriate and respectful, and also screened it to organisations including GLAAD, PFLAG, The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, and Common Sense Media.
Andi Mack follows Andi, her family and her two best friends – Cyrus Goodman and Buffy Driscoll – as they navigate their lives.
