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Hollywood Ignores Gay Themes in Hockey Shows
26 Jun
Summary
- Industry misses the point of successful homoerotic sports series.
- Six hockey shows in development, none with gay characters.
- Administration's attacks on DEI initiatives foster risk aversion.

As Pride Month draws to a close, Emmy nominee Joel Kim Booster has voiced concerns that Hollywood is failing to properly interpret the success of LGBTQ+ themed entertainment. Booster highlighted the industry's misguided takeaway from the popular series 'Heated Rivalry,' noting that while six new hockey shows are in development, none are planned to include gay characters. He suggested the appeal of such shows lies in their homoerotic themes, not solely the sport itself.
Booster also cited the negative impact of political administrations on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. He stated that current sentiment within the industry is characterized by fear and risk aversion, leading to a reluctance to invest in potentially groundbreaking content. This trend is reflected in a report by GLAAD, which found that nearly half of LGBTQ+ characters on television were not expected to return due to series cancellations or endings.