Queer fans of Stranger Things might have just gotten a new reason to celebrate: notes from the original pitch meeting for the show reveal that Will Byers (played by Noah Schnapp) has “sexual identity issues.”
Normally sexual identity issues wouldn’t be a good reason to celebrate. That said, the revelation comes on the heels of Season 3 of the popular Netflix series, which had already ignited significant debate over the character’s sexuality. This season Will’s (Finn Wolfhard) friend Mike tells him “It’s not my fault you don’t like girls.”
The line caused quite a stir among fans, especially after the show added the out lesbian character Robin, played by Maya Hawke. That led to even further speculation surrounding Will’s sexuality.
Related: Spoiler Alert! ‘Stranger Things’ might get much gayer
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Now notes from the original pitch meeting for Montauk–the original title for the show–reveal that creators The Duffer Brothers may have had Will in mind as a queer character from the start. Documents from the pitch describe Will as “WILL BYERS, twelve, is a sweet, sensitive kid with sexual identity issues. He only recently came to the realization that he does not fit into 1980s definition of ‘normal.’ His innocent choices, such as his colorful clothes, prove a constant source of bullying. Like Mike, Will escapes through fantasy gaming, where he can be himself, uninhibited. He has a close relationship with his mother, Joyce. His brother, Jonathan, helps raise him in lieu of their father, who abandoned them four years ago.”
Sounds pretty gay to us. Of course, plenty in a series can change from pitch to release, much like the title of the show. That said, what’s of note is how closely the Will of the final series resembles this original description. Does this mean Will might get a coming out episode in the future?
Suddenly, we’re very stoked for Season 4…
Baldmedic64
The stars of this show are children, or at best adolescent. I am more than a little uncomfortable with Queerty drawing attention to this particular program. I’ve seen all of season 1 and am struggling to stay interested to be honest. That said, it never once occured to me that there was any reason to consider the sexual orientation of the characters, since it has no bearing of note on the plot. this is only the 2nd time that I have responded to anything on this site and given the comments I often see here, I expect to get either strong support or utterly trolled!
jw8890
If you watched until season three when it just might have bearing on the plot. Or don’t but it’s worth the watch.
Selverd
What are you uncomfortable with, the show in general or queerty drawing attention to the fact that Will is meant to be gay?
Charlie in Charge
A lot of us struggled with questions about our sexuality – and never had any physical experiences – when were that age. The other three boys all have romantic storylines.
Baldmedic64
And for heaven’s sake.. please can the auditors of this forum please stop those annoying adverts for gay dating from using the site as a free way to ply their wares?
jestgr
NO! NO! NO! Dear Duffer Brothers, PLEASE stop going in this direction with these characters! Take it from a guy who grew up gay in that period. You are completely going against what it was like to live in the 80’s as homosexual. Kids that age did not come out! The fear of AIDS that started to take hold in 1981, the shame from their peers, the anger and possible loss of their families, it was all very real. Even if you were simply suspected as being gay, you lost friends. Your parents would send you off for counseling (where repulsion therapy was still going on) or worse – something akin to Exodus. Kids that age had NO ONE who would accept them. Not their parents. Not their friends. And even if they did, there are nothing to indicate even had someone who would be accepting. No kid like Will (and even Robin) at that age, in that town, in that year, would have ever had the strength to come out. The fear of AIDS had permeated society. Gays were dying left and right and society turned its head because it was the “gay death” that we deserved for our “perverted lifestyle.” No kid would have come out with AIDS ravaging the country. A parent would have freaked, and friends would have ran. Please stay true to the period. It would make a far better story anyway – if the audience finds out Will is gay, but he never tells anyone because everyone around him is a homophobe. Keep it real!
Miss Understood
Class of ’85 here. Not true of everyone. I mean, there are levels of “out”. I told a few friends at 17. I met people who were out at younger ages to a degree. Out a a few people was different than being out to the whole school. But yes, some young people were out in the 80s. New Wave and Rocky Horror were great gateways into gay! It was harder but not impossible.
mudgeguy
I gotta say it, the fact there is even a conversation about the sexuality of pre-pubescent teens is beyond creepy.
Selverd
Do gay kids not exist? Or are you acting like Will being gay means we’ll see him having graphic anal sex?
Charlie in Charge
The three other boys are in relationships with girls. Is that creepy?