Billy Eichner clarifies his comment on ‘disposable’ LGBTQ streaming content



In a new interview with Variety, Eichner praised the magnitude of his film: “It’s not an independent film,” he said. “It’s not something streaming that feels disposable, or like one of the millions of Netflix shows. I needed to appreciate that.”
After the interview was published, however, Eichner tweeted that it “was not AT ALL referring to the quality or monumental impact of streaming movies, (it) was referring to how, historically, LGBTQ+ content has often been viewed as niche and ignored by Hollywood.”
“I’m very proud that ‘Bros’ is one of many projects – theatrical, streaming, online, etc. – where so many of us can finally tell our own LGBTQ+ stories,” he said. tweetedadding another Tweeter that he was “so sorry if (he) inadvertently offended or insulted anyone”.
Some took Eichner’s comments in Variety as a reference to “Fire Island” and “Happiest Season,” two films made by and starring LGBTQ creators that debuted on Hulu and skipped a theatrical release. “Fire Island,” which featured several LGBTQ people of color including Joel Kim Booster and Bowen Yang, won praise after its release earlier this year for exploring racism and classism within the gay community.
In a June interview with Booster and Eichner for Entertainment Weekly, Booster praised Eichner for creating an inclusive writer’s room for the “Billy on the Street” series and for continuing to hire LGBTQ people for his upcoming film.

“That’s why I’m so relieved that your movie is coming out, and things like ‘Heartstopper’ and Keiynan Lonsdale’s movie ‘My Fake Boyfriend’ are coming out around the same time,” Booster told Eichner. “There are so many. I’m so relieved that if you hate my movie, you have another one coming out in September for another shoot, and hopefully even more.”

“Bros” is a feat for Hollywood inclusivity but far from the first romantic comedy to follow gay characters. Young adult films like “Love, Simon” and its follow-up series “Love, Victor” have garnered a fan following, and Netflix originals like “Single All the Way” and “The Half of It” have been helmed by LGBTQ directors. Popular series like “Heartstopper,” “Sex Education,” and award-winning shows like “Schitt’s Creek” and “Orange is the New Black” have all featured LGBTQ actors and followed queer romances.

“Bros” will be released on September 30.