Billy Eichner has apologized after a recent interview snippet about his upcoming romantic comedy, Bros, rubbed some gay readers the wrong way.
Bros undoubtedly marks a big Hollywood moment. As Eichner said at the VMAs last weekend, it’s the “first gay rom-com ever made by a major studio” and “the first where every role is played by an openly LGBTQ actor.” It’s also notable that the film is getting a theatrical release — an impressive feat for any film in the post-pandemic Hollywood landscape, let alone an explicitly gay one.
Eichner reflected on his big moment in a recent interview with Variety, saying, “I told myself to look around and appreciate how rare and magical this moment is because you are making a movie that looks and feels like all the romantic comedies you grew up loving, but you’re doing it as a gay man.”
Related: Billy Eichner calls out “homophobe” Clarence Thomas in fiery, full-volume VMAs speech
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“And this is not an indie movie,” he continued. “This is not some streaming thing which feels disposable, or which is like one of a million Netflix shows. I needed to appreciate that ‘This is a historic moment, and somehow, you’re at the center of it. You helped create it.’”
A portion of the quote was subsequently shared by Variety on Twitter, where many interpreted it as a dig at popular queer streaming titles like Fire Island, Heartstopper or The Half of It — all deserving of the praise they receive.
Variety ultimately deleted the tweet, but not before comments like this started popping up:
I like Billy Eichner and I *love* romcoms—especially the gay ones!—but wow, way to make yourself and your film sound really shitty https://t.co/NOcNA7Kk2O
— Philip J. Ellis (he/him) (@Philip_Ellis) August 31, 2022
https://twitter.com/RooPritchard/status/1565105223596707841
https://twitter.com/chazharris/status/1565112146999984128
The backlash clearly got onto Eichner’s radar, as he soon apologized if he “inadvertently offended or insulted anyone.”
He clarified that he only meant to highlight “the way that, historically, LGBTQ+ content has often been considered niche and disregarded by Hollywood,” rather than dismiss the quality of other, non-theatrical releases.
Here’s his full statement:
I want to clarify what I said about streaming content in Variety. I was not at ALL referring to the quality or monumental impact of streaming films, I was referring to the way that, historically, LGBTQ+ content has often been considered niche and disregarded by Hollywood.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) August 31, 2022
I have been openly gay since the beginning of my career over 20 years ago, at a time when that was very challenging. And I am very proud Bros is one of many projects – theatrical, streaming, online, etc – where so many of us are finally getting to tell our own LGBTQ+ stories.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) August 31, 2022
Being an openly gay man and a loud and proud part of the LGBTQ+ community is one of the things I am most proud of in my whole damn life. And from the bottom of my heart I truly am so sorry if I inadvertently offended or insulted anyone. I really am. Thank you.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) August 31, 2022
Perhaps more talk like this honoring the incredible legacy of LGBTQ storytelling that made a film like Bros possible, and less about how it’s our civic duty to buy tickets, might actually be a better promotional strategy for queer audiences who’ve long supported queer films.
Still, we’re going to chalk this one up to Eichner getting caught up in his well-deserved moment, and we’ll be first in line when tickets go on sale — if not to stick it to Clarence Thomas, then to hopefully be thoroughly entertained.
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DBMC
I’m so glad not to be a part of “gay twitter.”
boblrice
OMG! Totally!!
Donston
There is no such thing as “gay Twitter”. While this site often pulls random Tweets and pretends as if something is getting a lot of attention on social media when it’s not.
DarkZephyr
@Donston
Can’t agree. I think “Gay Twitter” is definitely a thing.
Ronbo
Because DarkZepher blew a twit? That’s about right around here where extremists, editors and twits think a dick is “feminine”.
cs1900
Dumb manufactured drama, given that Eichner’s point was perfectly clear if one sentence is not taken entirely out of context.
Brian
Agreed. He’s actually fighting on behalf of gay people — he’s correct that studios rarely commit to a gay/lesbian idea. They won’t invest the time, equipment, staff, money. Leadership sees the pitches as disposable, so that’s what ends up being created.
CatholicXXX
What did he say that pissed people off? Is it because he claims to have invented gay romcoms?
Paulie P
Catholic he said that other streaming services show mediocre content. And he is not wrong about the dated, Lifetime-esque Fire Island.
quantum
So yall’s editorial stance at Queerty (you use the word “we”) is forgive gay white men when they say dumb stuff, but screw straight white women and people of color? Just checking, because “latest on queerty” right below this article are rehashes on Tim Hardaway’s and Lea Michelle’s apology tours.
Cam
It’s cute when a troll account tries to compare anti-LGBTQ bigoted statements from Hardaway, or years and years of abuse from Michelle to Eichner making a statement some interpreted to be a dig at some streaming shows on Netflix.
Sweetie, your troll game is sad and weak.
Ronbo
Cam, deal the what was printed instead of alledging that everything everyone says that you disagree with is a sock puppet. Maybe you should accept that LGBTQ people are entitled to have their own opinions. Can you give us that; or is your ego our “master and commander”?
You are just being outspoken. Try being intelligent first. That way the arrogance and insults will have a foundation – not just bitter personal attacks.
Paris in Santiago
Well, I’m going to say it then.
Fire Island was boring, and the script & acting did not feel organic, or logical. Everything felt forced. It’s such a shame, because all of the performers are people I think are talented, and I adore.
quantum
Please, name one romcom that was both organic and logical in its premise.
Winsocki
response to quantum…… Jeffrey comedy that approached AIDS, back in the day.
Yooper
Always interesting to see the onslaught of the slighted and offended when no slight or offense was given.
[email protected]
Some gays have way too much time on their hands to try and do the verbal gymnastics to twist an obvious pro gay point into something negative
Terrycloth
Fire island , Drama queens. Didn’t go anywhere just meh..if this movie with Billy in it I’ll pass..I can’t stomach him even in all doses .
monty clift
If anyone thinks Fire Island was a “masterpiece” gay romcom, they’re sadly deluded.
BigJohnSF
no, not a “gay romcom” but rather a “queer romcom” – the bar for masterpiece in “queer” areas is way lower
LumpyPillows
Just stop…
cuteguy
Heartstopper is a modern day classic and a queer coming of age story that is G rated, and not full of G strings like most gay stores cover, or not cover
Toofie
The perpetually offended… Twitter loves to pick apart things to get outraged by.
Cam
I got what Eichner was trying to say, a lot of LGBTQ content is ignored, tossed away or put off into niches. For Every Heartstopper and Pose you have a TON of law budget stuff that never sees the light of day. Hopefully the fact that those shows did well, and Love Simon made money will get those studios to finally make more.
HankHarris
Fire Island wasn’t a masterpiece BUT with comments like that Billy’s movie better be great.
True story – very early in his career (he had only been doing the man on the street stuff and not what I would have called ‘famous’) I saw him in a gay bar in NYC. Small space, and he got noticed pretty quickly. I was standing near him and ONE guy walked by and said something like ‘great show’ – he didn’t stop and talk, didn’t ask for a pic or anything – and Billy acted like it was the biggest inconvenience or he was mobbed by fans. In a huff he moved to another part of the bar that was more private.
tjack47
If a bitch can, a bitch gonna get her thong in a twist. Jesus!
Kangol2
I’m going to go out on a limb here and agree with Donston that Queerty does love to play up a few tweets (or Reddit posts, etc.) to create a story but that’s the nature of this site. There isn’t a single “gay Twitter,” there are multiple ones, and they often do not intersect.
I also get what Eichner was trying to say, and am going to agree with Cam that there are many low-budget shows films and even series, a number of which can be found on little streaming sites like HereTV (LGBTQ+ to the max) that get little public play.
I personally don’t find Eichner all that appealing, as a comedian or actor, but I’m sure there’s a constituency for this film and if it’s decent or good, it’ll draw viewers, so good for all involved. More power to him, to his critics on Twitter, and to every LGBTQ person trying to create during these difficult times. As for successful gay rom-coms, I’ll take Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom!
Texasholdem
There will always be crabs in the community trying to bring someone down who’s trying to escape the bucket.
This is like the Asians who attacked Awkwafina when Shang-Chi was released last year.
Steven R
He’s not wrong. Like we all haven’t sat through some shitty indie gay rom-coms. Gay content is certainly getting better, and it’s nice to see the studios starting to realize they can make money on it (because we all know that’s the only thing that actually matters to them). There are some really good gay films and shows out there, but until recently, the bigger studios have steered clear. But we all know that for every gem we find, there are dozens of lousy ones.
BEARY FLINTSTONE
Queerty y’all made a big to do about Nothing and this Gay Twitter who are they twinks on fire?
moviemag
We don’t need outside enemies. Our community seems to do a mighty fine job of eating our own. I like him, and even though I have avoided movies since that damned talkie craze began, I’ll definitely go see Billy’s film.
Just.my.opinion
I normally do not watch movies and television shows that feature an actor or actress that I personally find repulsive. In this case, that would be Billy Eichner. However, my fondness for Luke Macfarlane will probably override my distaste for Billy Eichner.
BigJohnSF
“Fire Island was a masterpiece queer romcom”? What a crock of shit.
JustMuscles1
Exactly!
CKNJ
Just goes to show that in our gay community, we also unfortunately have our share of ‘pearl clutchers’ who just squeal and screech at anything even slightly perceived as what they in their self-proclaimed righteousness would consider a diss…
JustMuscles1
Let’s be completely honest here, Fire Island movie was not a good movie. It was contrived and made to be stereotypical. If you want to make a feel good movie make it a bit more realistic! And Uncoupled was the same. Awful! But I really like Love Victor, Special, Sex Education, Bonding and others that take a fresh look and have great writing. And why not let praise happen for pushing the boundaries or mainstream entertainment? The fact that Eishner went o. ABCs the Bachelorette and got tackled by the bro Meathead, was hysterical!