Popular firefighter Darren Ritter of Chicago Fire, played by actor Daniel Kyri, just came out of the closet.
Fans of the long-running procedural drama applauded the move, presented in a subtle but unmistakable way. In a barroom conversation with David Eigenberg’s Lt. Hermann, Ritter happened to mention in passing that he had a boyfriend. Hermann responded by inviting both of them to a barbecue.
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Kyri took to Twitter to celebrate the coming out alongside longtime fans of the show. “Cat is out of the bag,” he tweeted. “Thanks for watching fam.”
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I guess the cat is OUT of the bag.
Thanks for watching fam. ?— Daniel Kyri (@danielkyri) October 3, 2019
Of course, Twitter trolls immediately launched homophobic attacks on the series and the character, though Kyri wouldn’t stand for it. Several days later, he tweeted out: “How someone can say they don’t “agree” with another person’s humanity baffles me. What a moronic concept. That any human being needs your permission or acceptance to BE human.”
How someone can say they don’t “agree” with another person’s humanity baffles me. What a moronic concept. That any human being needs your permission or acceptance to BE human.
— Daniel Kyri (@danielkyri) October 5, 2019
Debuting in 2012, Chicago Fire connects with the popular Law & Order franchise, and features several crossover episodes with various titles in the series, as well as with its sister shows Chicago PD and Chicago Med. Daniel Kyri joined the cast in Season 7, and has featured prominently since.
— Daniel Kyri (@danielkyri) October 5, 2019
rustyiam
Beloved? Lol!
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
Daniel, the next time you get an insulting tweet be sure to ask “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you say how much YOU make per week” or “how about you sharing a story or two about how your coworkers treat you”. Trust me, either question will shut them up FAST. Be prepared to have daggers glared thru you and in a face to face situation be sure to have tissue with you because you will bring a few of them to tears with that comparison. There are a lot of jealous people out there and its all about you making it and them remaining locked into poverty. A successful person couldn’t care less whom you sleep with but the jealous queen or the frustrated strait guy (actor) will make your success an issue.
j41005
Does every TV or movie today have to have their gay character? This is getting out of hand. Hollywood needs to give it a rest already.
ShiningSex
such a homophobic comment on a gay site? makes NO sense at all. Are you a troll or just a TROLL?
justyouandi
I agree, j41005. It’s overkill. Trying too hard to make a point.
CKNJ
Oh look, another useless asshole troll!
xanadude
Finally done right. No big fanfare, just a conversation. No screaming queen stereotype, just a dude that likes dudes. Thanks for a real representation on TV, at last!
ShiningSex
what is wrong with “screaming queens”? that sounds very internal homophobia. people should be what they want and how they want to act. If it weren’t for “screaming queens” you wouldn’t be on here at all commenting on a public forum. You might either still be in the closet or in a camp for us. Queens are why we’ve come this far. DUH!!!! So stop the ignorant comments and sit down….queen.
ShowMeGuy
Dear ShiningSex,
There are more Darren Ritter types in the real world than there are Jack McFarland types and media has a LONG held history of ONLY showcasing the screaming queen stereotype.
It has nothing to do with “internalized homophobia” or who threw the first bottle at Stonewall.
There are gay guys who are constantly assumed to be straight simply because they don’t care about 40 dollar haircuts, designer shoes, or which starlet just landed a leading role in a new Broadway musical. And YES, those loud queens got the attention focused on the community but it is the “regular” gays sitting in the breakroom at work along side the Straights who cause the Straights to realize….”hey, them there queers are real people, just like us.” .
So, maybe you should take you own advise about ignorant comments and sitting down.
Sanjo
Nothing wrong with screaming queens, but I agree with you. It reminds me of a video I saw made in France. The family featured in the story happened to be Jewish but it didn’t play a role in the plot. In a US film, there would have had to been New York accents, Jewish jokes, antisemitism, a Jewish actor, or some stereotype to justify its inclusion.
mz.sam
‘Screaming Queen’?? Wow, how old are you? The PC category is…Femme Bitch. Either way, we need a more inclusive representational world.
IanHunter
Never heard of him.