Waylon Smithers will come out as gay in two new episodes of The Simpsons.
Montgomery Burns’ loyal right-hand man has long lusted after his boss, and now the worst-kept secret in Springfield will be a secret no longer.
“In Springfield now, most people know he’s gay, but obviously Burns doesn’t,” showrunner Al Jean revealed.
“We deal with that in two episodes. We actually do a lot with Smithers this year. He gets fed up with Burns not appreciating him and considers his options.”
The last time a significant character was revealed to be gay came when Marge Simpson’s sister Patty came out and expressed her desire to marry a woman back in 2005.
Edward Schiappa, head of comparative media studies at MIT, says that the decision to out Smithers reflects the fact that being gay in America is now more mainstream than ever.
“Springfield is about as middle American as one can get, and Smithers coming out within that fictional world mirrors – and reinforces – the mainstreaming of gays and lesbians in the real world,” Schiappa said.
“I am sure there will be fireworks among certain conservative politicians, or maybe they will surprise me and just let the show have its fun,” he added.
