'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.

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.

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by Anonymousreply 31January 28, 2021 5:06 PM

Of course the gay couple has to be interracial...

by Anonymousreply 1January 27, 2021 11:26 PM

So what, R1?

Nico Tortorella is cute as hell.

I watch for him, and not the "wokeness" of WDWB.

by Anonymousreply 2January 27, 2021 11:27 PM

He's not since he got all those stupid tats.

by Anonymousreply 3January 27, 2021 11:30 PM

[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 Anonymousreply 4January 27, 2021 11:33 PM

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 Anonymousreply 5January 27, 2021 11:38 PM

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 Anonymousreply 6January 27, 2021 11:41 PM

Sorry Mary R3, but Nico IS hot!!!!

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by Anonymousreply 7January 27, 2021 11:41 PM

Tattoos are a boner-killer no matter who they're on.

by Anonymousreply 8January 27, 2021 11:42 PM

OP Are you doing PR for this shit show?

And Nico is still insufferable and tiresome.

by Anonymousreply 11January 27, 2021 11:50 PM

Winner, R11! I thought the same thing.

by Anonymousreply 12January 27, 2021 11:57 PM

Tortorelli's nose is as long and twisted as this dead woman's

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by Anonymousreply 13January 28, 2021 12:09 AM

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 Anonymousreply 14January 28, 2021 2:20 AM

I gave up on this dull as dirt spinoff before this gay couple ever appeared. God, it was mind numbingly boring.

by Anonymousreply 15January 28, 2021 2:37 AM

I ask a crazy question? Why in the hell is the show still on? Norman Reedus’s wig needs to be burned.

by Anonymousreply 16January 28, 2021 2:48 AM

Zombie shows are for children.

by Anonymousreply 17January 28, 2021 2:51 AM

Not many children on these shows r17.

by Anonymousreply 18January 28, 2021 3:05 AM

R18 Well, there are, and then they kill them.

by Anonymousreply 19January 28, 2021 3:07 AM

The gay amputee character in the Walking Dead is interesting, His prosthetic has "attachments " much like a Crusinart !!!

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by Anonymousreply 20January 28, 2021 3:40 AM

Are you talking about Aaron, R20?

by Anonymousreply 21January 28, 2021 4:25 AM

Well they employed queer homophobe Nico tortellini in is, so they deserve a backlash of some kind tbh

by Anonymousreply 22January 28, 2021 5:04 AM

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 Anonymousreply 23January 28, 2021 11:10 AM

I can’t believe there is a THIRD Walking Dead series now. I finally gave up on them all a few years ago.

by Anonymousreply 24January 28, 2021 1:35 PM

[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 Anonymousreply 25January 28, 2021 1:40 PM

Not unlike Game of Thrones. I just read yesterday that there's going to be an animated series spin-off. WTF?

by Anonymousreply 26January 28, 2021 1:54 PM

Bet you they wouldn't complain if it was a lesbian couple though.

by Anonymousreply 27January 28, 2021 3:43 PM

R28 No. Just someone with standards. Pure bloodlines are best.

by Anonymousreply 29January 28, 2021 3:49 PM

R29

Right. You sound like a hetero white supremacist but sure, you aren’t racist.

by Anonymousreply 30January 28, 2021 4:06 PM

Butt babies don’t live long, r29. “Bloodlines” don’t matter.

by Anonymousreply 31January 28, 2021 5:06 PM

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