Popular LGBT show EastSiders creator/star Kit Williamson has been deluged with tons of negative feedback since Season Two tackled the idea of a gay couple exploring an open relationship…which is weird that it took this long for the comments to role in, because for those who actually watch the show, this pretty much started from the beginning of the series, after main characters Cal (Kit Williamson) and Thom (Van Hansis) four year relationship was severed due to infidelity.

Anyway, Williamson recently spoke to The Advocate about his feelings about what he calls ‘slut-shaming’ by other gay men over the shows premise. And as far as I’m concerned, Williamson needed not respond to those internet trolls who are perhaps too befuddled to understand the difference between real life and fictitious characterization. Perhaps the premise is a bit too plausible for some, and that might ruin the fairy tale. In your 20s, you’re a newbie gay, partying, looking for Prince Charming. In your 30s, you’ve had one or two BFs already and it’s time to focus on career…if a man fits in with that, so be it. After 40, you pretty much have chilled out…no longer prisoner to fantasies…and no longer worried about what others think about your position in life, or what position you take in bed. GET A GRIP PEOPLE!!! If EastSiders’ premise is not your homonormative reality, good for you! However, as a “seasoned” gay man, this storyline is pretty spot on. Check out a portion of Williamson’s op-ed piece below.

Kit Williamson (via The Advocate):

The second season of my series EastSiders centers around a couple experimenting with opening up their relationship sexually. The first episode actually begins the morning after a couple’s first threesome, as they navigate the awkwardness of making coffee while a stranger takes a shower in the other room. Another episode includes a montage of threesomes as the characters explore their sexuality (and encounter a cavalcade of weirdos in the process).

The show isn’t making an argument for or against promiscuity, but I knew that some would assume that it did, probably because they didn’t make it past the fun stuff to the episode in the STD clinic.

I was prepared for some backlash, given the irreverence with which the subject is approached, but I was surprised to find the majority of the vitriol coming from other gay men. I pulled the following gems from the comments on an Outmagazine article about the show:

“Why the hell are you in an ‘open relationship’ to begin with if you’re going to hook up with other guys? so trashy!”

“Sluttiness and having multiple sex partner beside your boyfriend, for me it’s disgusting.”

“If you publicly announce you have an open relationship then be prepared for comments. I think an open relationship is bullshit. Ditto bisexuality.”

“You are a slut.”

“Skank!”

Many of the commenters expressed concern about gay men being viewed as promiscuous. If these commenters desire to combat stereotypes, then I’d suggest they start by not contributing to the stereotype that gay men are catty, bitter, backbiting queens. We all share a common struggle, and I believe we have a responsibility to be kinder to each other than society has been to us. Yes, some people are promiscuous — that doesn’t mean their stories are any less worthy of being told.

 

You can read the entire article HERE.