Joshua Rush, the actor playing Disney Channel’s first openly gay character, has no time for people’s criticism of his character or show.
Rush, 17, plays the character Cyrus Goodman on the show Andi Mack.
In October 2017, the Disney Channel made history when it aired its first ever coming out scene with Cyrus. More recently, it made history again when Cyrus told his friends: ‘I’m gay.’
It’s the first time Disney has ever had a character explicitly state their sexuality.
While many applauded the progress, not everyone did.
In a now-deleted tweet, a user said the show has shared some ‘very good messages’ but ‘introducing gays is a very poor example to the young adults watching this show’.
None other than Rush himself screenshot the tweet and added: ‘the internet is forever.’
It doesn’t end there
Rush not only immortalized the comment, but responded to it with eloquence and compassion.
In his first tweet, he responded to the original user, writing: ‘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.’
He continued and explained why this show’s representation is important.
https://twitter.com/JoshuaRush/status/1097197338416754693
Later, he tweeted again, writing that such opinions are ‘damaging’.
https://twitter.com/JoshuaRush/status/1097207919563554817
LGBTI representation on television is at its highest ever, but it is not always seen abundantly in children’s programming.
See also
Netflix’s new reality dating show features LGBTI couples and people of color
Actor Matt Dallas reveals execs told him not to publicly come out as gay
First time ever: Disney is hosting its own Pride event at Disneyland Paris