Week Eight 2/23-2/27

'Carrie Diaries' EP Amy Harris talks Walt's coming out story: 'He's unable to admit it to himself'

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Citation: MacKenzie, C. (2013, January 28). 'Carrie Diaries' EP Amy Harris talks Walt's coming out story: 'He's unable to admit it to himself' Retrieved February 26, 2015, from http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/carrie_diaries_ep_amy_harris_talks_walts_coming_out_story-2013-01

 Summary: This article focuses on an interview with an executive producer of the CW show "The Carrie Diaries", which included a gay teenager struggling with figuring out who he was, and denying his own sexuality. The producer explains how the storyline was slowed down in order to give the character Walt time to realize he didn't feel anything towards girls, and then question himself, and then go through a period of contemplation and confusion, and then finally accept himself and the man he loved. The show also touches upon coming out and the dangers that revolve around an unsupportive family and social environment. This representation of a realistic experience for a gay teen is extremely important, it highlights a reality that many gay teens face.

Quotes:
"The CW has a notable lack of relatable, well-rounded gay characters. Luckily, we have high hopes for their "Sex and the City" prequel "The Carrie Diaries," which introduced Walt Reynolds, a teenager just beginning to explore his sexuality, in the pilot episode."

"Before Walt even approaches the idea of coming out to his friends and family, he's got to figure out who he is. "Right now he's uable to admit it, even to himself," says Harris. "There are moments where he feels like he's close to admitting it in some way, and then he pulls back."

Reflection:  I watched this show myself, and I am interested in the character development of Walt because at first he is straight and in a happy, long, and stable relationship with a girl. He isn't just the "gay" character, he has his own storyline, his own character development and problems and realizations. The show is a coming of age story, showing the struggles teens go through, so adding a gay teen's journey is an awesome victory for the LGBT+ community. Walt is a realistic character, his parents are strict and have set expectations and goals for him; such as: he will marry his girlfriend, he will go to a fancy college, he will work in a business, etc. It is extremely scary and difficult to go against the plan ones parents set for them. The story shows the growth of Walt as a person, he realizes who he is and tries to deny it, as many LGBT+ teens do. When he does accept who he is, Walt struggles with rejection from his parents, and is eventually kicked out of his home. However, he is met with supportive friends and opportunities, despite the homophobia he faces throughout the show. It is great to have a realistic portray of an LGBT+ teen's journey shown on a television show for teens. This show gives actual depth and personality to an LGBT+ character who might otherwise be simply a stock character.