Tag: Andi Mack

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Disney Channel Star Joshua Rush Comes Out

Joshua Rush, who played the gay teen ‘Cyrus Goodman’ on the Disney Channel series Andi Mack, just came out as bisexual on his Twitter account Tuesday.
Actor Joshua Rush (image via Instagram)

Joshua Rush, who played the gay teen ‘Cyrus Goodman’ on the Disney Channel series Andi Mack, just came out as bisexual on his Twitter account Tuesday.

Rush gained national attention when his Andi Mack character came out in 2017 becoming the first openly gay Disney Channel character.

In last month’s series finale, his character was revealed to be part of the first gay couple on a Disney series.

Now that the series has wrapped, Rush appears to have had one more ‘coming out’ to do.

On Twitter, the 17-year-old wrote, “First to respond to this tweet is bi.” He quickly followed that with his own response, “First! I win! It’s me. I’m bi.”

He added there were “a few things” he wanted to share with his fans.

The actor told his fans he thought it ‘ironic’ that his TV character’s coming out could send a message of empowerment to young LGBTQs, but until today he hadn’t found the courage to come out himself.

In fact, he says it’s his fans reaction to Cyrus’s journey that inspired him today.

Sharing that he had a close friend come out to him in fifth grade, Rush admitted he “suffered with some level” of his own “internalized homophobia” while playing a gay character on TV.

His solution at the time? “I stuffed the existential crisis of talking about my sexual orientation into a box in my mind for years,” he wrote, adding, “Today, I release it into the world.”

Noting that sexual orientation doesn’t make up “all” of his identity, Rush pointed to bi erasure and the challenges that trans women of color face every day as more pressing issues than his sexual identity.

He asked folks to donate to GLAAD (which promotes positive messaging for LGBTQs in the media) because his Disney Channel series “wouldn’t have existed in the form that it did without them.”

He also gave a shoutout to The Trevor Project, the leading national organization providing crisis intervention to LGBTQ young people, before closing the thread with, “Thank you to you for giving me the courage to know who I am and tell you this today. Happy 20biteen!”

While he hadn’t come out yet, it was just a few weeks ago that Rush shared a photo on Instagram after attending his first Pride event.

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News Round-Up: July 29, 2019

(image via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• InstaHunks: Broadway hottie Jim Newman (above) finds he has his Fire Island pool all to himself with no one to play with his beach ball. I’m sure he’d have no problem finding company… 🙂

• NewNowNext: A man has been arrested in connection with the murder of Russian LGBTQ activist Elena Grigoryeva. Officials do not intend to pursue hate crime charges, claiming the murder was not motivated by her activist work, nor her bisexual identity.

• Instinct: In its series finale, Andi Mack served up Disney’s first gay couple.

• Gr8erDays: If you love entertainment/pop culture info from days gone by, follow this Instagram account for daily infograms about celebrity birthdays and more from TV, movies and more.

• Politico: Kamala Harris on Monday unveiled a plan to achieve universal health care coverage by growing Medicare with the help of private insurers, an effort that splits the difference with her chief Democratic presidential rivals and equips the California senator with her own signature health care proposal ahead of this week’s debates.

• Roanoke Times: A small number of Republicans tried to have Rep. Denver Riggleman censured for having the nerve to officiate a same-sex wedding for two of his supporters. p.s. The attempt failed…

• Out Music: Kelechi drops his latest bop, “Forever Tonight,” with an upbeat 1980s vibe complete with fat beats and pop/soul roots. I’m hearing a little Human League groove in there perhaps…?

“I make romance pop music,” Kelechi recently told Out.com. “I want people to fall in love with the feeling they get when they listen.”

I have to say I like the simple approach to the video. Lately, I find overly-complicated music videos can get in the way of listening/enjoying the music.

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Disney Actor Shuts Down Hater For Trolling Gay Character’s Coming Out

Joshua Ross, of Disney Channel's 'Andi Mack' shut down a Twitter troll for hating on a coming out story
Joshua Ross (second from right) plays ‘Cyrus’ on Disney’s “Andi Mack”

Earlier this month, I reported that, for the first time, a Disney character had said the words, “I’m gay.”

The moment took place during an episode of the popular Disney Channel series, Andi Mack, when one of the lead characters (Cyrus played by Joshua Rush) came out to his former crush.

The series, Disney’s first to feature a coming out story, has won widespread acclaim and been honored at the GLAAD Media Awards for ‘Outstanding Kids and Family Programming.

This being 2019, however, we do still have to deal with the trolls and haters on social media who can’t stop themselves from bringing darkness to light.

One user criticized the storyline, tweeting to Rush, Disney and the series’ Twitter accounts, “I am very disappointed in the way this show has been directed there are some very good messages through this show for it’s young audience, but introducing gays is a very poor example to the young adults watching this show. Poor choice Disney.”

Rush didn’t hesitate in clapping back at the troll.

“I’m sorry you feel that way,” wrote the 17-year-old actor. “Here’s the thing though: gay kids are gonna exist no matter whether you like it or not. And we need to support and love all kids in every way we can.”

“So when someone realizes they are gay, I want them to identify with something so they’re not alone,” he added.

Rush also shared a screen capture of the hater’s tweet, which had been deleted, telling the hater, “The internet is forever, you can’t delete a tweet and expect it to be gone lol.”

He added, “It’s fine to have your opinion but we’re just trying to explain how an opinion like that – one that supports LGBTQ+ kids not having a voice – can be really damaging.”

Rush’s calm and thoughtful responses were immediately flooded with support and love by his fans.

And the crowd goes wild!!! Yay!!!

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Disney Channel Has Its First Character To Say The Words “I’m Gay”

More history was made yesterday when the character of Cyrus Goodman (played by Joshua Rush) became the first Disney character to ever say the words, "I'm gay."
Joshua Rush in the Disney Channel series, ‘Andi Mack’
(screen capture)

In 2017, the popular Disney Channel series Andi Mack announced the show would feature a gay story arc – a first for the channel.

More history was made yesterday when the character of Cyrus Goodman (played by Joshua Rush) became the first Disney character to ever say the words, “I’m gay.”

In the episode titled, “One in a Minyan,” the show’s principal characters are at the shiva of Goodman’s grandmother.

Helping to explain some of the Jewish dishes at the buffet, Goodman points out kuegel, bagels and lox, and gefilte fish before ending his list by telling the character of Jonah Beck, his former crush, “I’m gay.”

“Yeah?” Beck replies. “Cool.”

And, life went on – just as it should.

(photo: Disney ABC)

The writer of the episode, Jonathan Hurwitz, wrote in a guest post for GLAAD that the inspiration for the moment came from his own coming out process back in 2010 with a college friend.

While grabbing burgers one afternoon, he asked me to pass the ketchup, so I handed him the bottle while mumbling the words, “I’m gay.” He looked up at me, said “Cool,” then proceeded to put ketchup on his burger as if I hadn’t just revealed my most personal, deepest truth.

I remember thinking: “That’s it?! After a ten-year journey to come out to myself, I finally come out to my friend and all I get is a ‘Cool?!’” But what I ultimately realized was that my friends and family loved me unconditionally before I’d even learned to truly love myself.

Rush took to Twitter to share his pride, writing,“Every day is a blessing working on this show. This milestone is just another stitch in a rich and vibrant tapestry that is Cyrus Goodman.”

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Video: Sensitive Coming Out Moment On Season Premiere Of Disney Channel’s “Andi Mack”

Last week I reported on the upcoming “coming out” storyline for the Disney Channel’s Andi Mack series.

On the season 2 premiere last Friday, audiences were touched by this sensitive moment when series regular “Cyrus” (played by Joshua Rush) confides in his friend “Buffy” (Sofia Wyle) that he is conflicted by his feelings of jealousy.

“Jonah” (Asher Angel) and “Andi” (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) have just begun officially dating, and Cyrus is at odds with the news.

“How come? Are you jealous, Cyrus? Do you like Andi?” Buffy asks.

“No,” he says, quietly looking away.

“You like Jonah?” she asks.

Cyrus nods, tentative in admitting his feelings. “Buffy, I feel weird. Different.”

Cyrus will explore his burgeoning sexuality over the course of season 2, as well as journey through the dreaded coming out process so many LGBTs experience in our early teen years.

This is the Disney Channel’s first series to have an openly gay series regular. Andi Mack is currently the most popular series on the network among young girls.

Watch below.

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“One Million Moms” Attacks Disney Channel Over Gay Crush Storyline

Right on cue.

Earlier today I reported about the upcoming LGBTQ storyline to be featured on the Disney Channel show, Andi Mack.

Among other storylines, the show will chronicle a school boy’s first crush on another male student.

Well, you knew those hideous “One Million Moms” folks would get in an uproar.

Via email:

Alerting all parents! Additional controversial content will be included in the Disney Channel show “Andi Mack” during season two, premiering Friday, October 27, at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT. 1MM earlier warned parents this program is not suitable for a kids’ network, and now the show is introducing the network’s first gay character.

In a first for the Disney Channel, the show “Andi Mack” will spend an hour focusing on one of the main characters coming out as gay. Young teen Cyrus Goodman is a key member in the program’s cast. During the season two premiere, he’ll make Disney Channel history as he grapples with his feelings for another boy. And in subsequent episodes, he’ll work these feelings out along with having a new girlfriend.

By choosing to abandon family-friendly entertainment, Disney’s inexplicable choice to move toward more “adult” fare may ultimately prove to be a huge mistake. Disney’s first gay kiss aired earlier this year on Disney XD’s animated series “Star vs. the Forces of Evil.” The scene took place at a concert where the band played a romantic tune that inspired many couples in the audience to kiss; a few of those couples — none of which involved a main character — were same s*x.

The Disney Channel is deliberately choosing to “move forward” and promote adult content to children. By choosing to move in the direction of more “adult” stories and content, the Disney Channel – and the entire Disney media empire – may be choosing to sacrifice something far more precious… children’s innocence.

You know, these folks would have no problem with a storyline of a teen girl experiencing her first crush on a boy at school.

The fact of the matter is: young, emerging gays experience first crushes and brushes with affection just like everyone else. It’s a natural part of life.

Kids aren’t confused about “the gay thing” other than why bigoted grown-ups are apoplectic about it.

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Disney Channel Series “Andi Mack” Will Feature It’s First LGBTQ Storyline

(Courtesy: Disney Channel. Left to right: Buffy (Sofia Wylie), Cyrus (Joshua Rush),
Andi (Peyton Elizabeth Lee), Jonah (Asher Angel)

GLAAD shares the news that the Disney Channel show Andi Mack will feature it’s first LGBTQ storyline this season.

Season 2 of the series premieres this Friday, October 27 at 8PM ET.

For anyone not yet familiar with the show, “Andi Mack” is a contemporary coming-of-age story about a relatable girl (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) who’s trying to determine where she fits in and the many amazing ways she can live her life. On the eve of her 13th birthday, Andi learns that her older sister, Bex (Lilan Bowden), is actually her mother. This revelation puts Andi on an unfamiliar path of self-discovery which she navigates with the help of her loving, albeit complicated, family; her two best friends, Cyrus (Joshua Rush) and Buffy (Sofia Wylie); and her middle school crush, Jonah Beck (Asher Angel). Along the way, Andi learns that sometimes the unexpected is what makes life great.

And in this season’s premiere episode, Cyrus begins to realize something about himself. Andi is hoping for her parents Bex and Bowie (Trent Garrett) to get married, all while awkwardly sorting out her feelings for classmate Jonah. Meanwhile, a second storyline depicts one of Andi’s two best friends, 13-year-old Cyrus, as he’s beginning to realize that he too has feelings for Jonah. This realization begins an important part of his journey to self-discovery as a gay teen and ultimately, his self-acceptance.

In the episode, Cyrus confides in Buffy. The scene, and what Buffy says to Cyrus, makes for positive role models both for kids and adult viewers. In subsequent episodes, Cyrus begins to understand himself, and can count on his supportive friends Buffy and Andi who, as teenagers, are also on a journey to self-discovery. He also grapples with how to tell his new girlfriend, Iris, about his new understanding of himself.

This story arc is a first for Disney Channel; it’s the first time the channel has depicted a character’s journey to self-discovery as an LGBTQ individual. However, it won’t be the first time an LGBTQ character has appeared on Disney Channel. Back in 2014, a lesbian couple appeared on an episode of “Good Luck Charlie.”

The series is the channel’s number one show for girls this year. The median age of the viewers is ten.

Expect the howling to begin any time now from the anti-LGBTQ “One Million Moms.”