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My chat with Noah Galvin of ‘The Real O’Neals’ about the bisexual joke controversy
The Real O’Neals star Noah Galvin is defending his show which is under fire for a recent bisexual joke.
In last week’s episode, Galvin’s gay teenage character Kenny O’Neal compared being bisexual to having ‘webbed toes’ or ‘money problems.’
Galvin, 24, points out that Kenny still has a lot to learn.
‘I think that it’s important to know that these writers … they’re writing an authentic teenager who is still learning and evolving and has never met a bisexual person in his life,’ Galvin told me at the Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association’s annual Winners Toast in Los Angeles on Saturday.
After the episode aired, bisexual actress Sara Ramirez took to Twitter to say she was ‘truly disheartened and disappointed’ by the writing of the joke.
Ramirez had worked for the same network, ABC, for 10 years playing bisexual doctor Callie Torres on Grey’s Anatomy.
Ramirez also tweeted to ABC and the show: ‘Own it, address it, clarify it, empower our #Queer #Bisexual youth & community w/accurate positive reflections.’
The actress directed people to a Change.org petition titled End Biphobia and Bi-erasure on The Real O’Neals which has received more than 1,200 signatures so far.
The Real O’Neals is currently in its second season. While not a ratings powerhouse, the show has a loyal following and a chance at a third season.
Galvin says he hopes the controversy will not ‘discredit the good we’ve done for so many kids who write to me daily about how we’ve helped them come out. Or if coming out is not possible for them for us to at least be an escape for them. I think it’s an important, awesome thing that we’re doing – I hope people don’t discredit that.’
The openly gay actor added: ‘I completely realize the crazy, crazy, large responsibility that we have as a show and all the good that we’re doing.’
Comments
(All comments are reviewed before being published, and I review submissions several times per day.)
K. Martinez says:
Overreaction by Sara Ramirez. We have become so damn overly sensitive! Do we really lack so much self esteem or become so thin-skinned to the point where we can’t just let it roll off our backs if something offends us? If the joke is being authentic to the character’s development then I say go with it. I don’t believe in political correctness to put a group of people at ease if it’s false to the character. I’ll take being offended anytime over living in a politically correct society where we become afraid to speak our minds.
Ed John says:
I believe Noah Galvin should not be compelled to speak out to defend a bad joke that is clearly insensitive at the least and certainly unnecessary to the story;Sara should think twice before she writes and then take responsibility.Noah does a good job and nicely portrays his character and that’s more than enough.
Dicky Brandt says:
Since Dan Savage is part of his show, what is his participation or his responsibilities to this much discussed subject. To date have not read his position or joined the discussion.
Dicky Brandt says:
Still have not read any Dan Savage comments re:The Real O’Neals. Did find Dan Savages’ posted interesting read and his opinions bisexuality – https://www.reddit.com/r/bisexual/comments/312ibh/dan_savage_speaks_thoughtfully_on_the_topic_of/