Nick Offerman Slams ‘Homophobic Hate’ Against His ‘The Last of Us’ Episode: ‘It’s Not a Gay Story. It’s a Love Story, You A–hole!’

Offermans character was deep in the closet and his future husband had to break down some heavy emotional walls. It was his first relationship with a man.

Being gay was very much part of the theme and wasn't just some offhand detail about them imo.

There was a lot to the episode but pretending their sexuality had no impact on how the story was told or its impact is silly. I don't think it would have been as touching without it.

Some of you really need a rewatch.

The most common option is always left out. We say Thai food or Chinese food but no one says "Lets have some American food tonight" when living in the US, because it's implied if no other type is mentioned.

I don't think there's anything wrong with calling it a gay love story or just a love story, one just offers more information.

That argument is a bit like the idea of colorblindness when it comes to discussing race, however. It doesn't do justice to be dismissive of identity in the name of equality because that ignores the different social contexts that are inherent to that identity.

I would say the fact that it is a gay love story is very significant to note for that particular episode given the time period that The Last of Us takes place in. What I mean is: society collapses in summer of 2003 in the Last of Us TV series (10 years earlier than the game). These characters are living in Massachusetts, which is one of the first states to recognize gay marriage, but would not have occurred until late 2003 if society hadn't collapsed almost overnight earlier that year. Obergefell v. Hodges would be another 12 years off, making widespread legitimacy of gay marriage a distant fantasy.

These two characters, effectively, had to live their entire lives closeted in a broadly homophobic society that would not recognize them. But it was after the collapse of that society that they were at liberty to be their true selves and, as we see, become happier after the apocalypse than they were before. It would not be the same story at all if it was turned into a hetero relationship.

If the sexual orientation and origin of the characters don’t make a difference in the story, ...

I would argue that the sexual orientation of the characters does make a difference in the story.

They're living in a world with little trust, and they have to overcome that. Neither one can be sure that the other is trustworthy, and won't kill them when they're not looking. And they have to overcome the remaining stigma of same-sex relationships, which could end very badly in the same way. They are both walking through two minefields, in a way which is different from how a similar heterosexual story would play out. Maybe?

It is definitely first and foremost a love story, but it's not only a love story, and looking away from other aspects does a disservice to everyone.

I've had more dick in my mouth than your mother, don't call me a bigot for using adjectives.

Because they were asked to specify what kind of love story it is?

well, did America still exist in the story?

Lets be real. In a post apocalyptic world HIV will go untreated and with that it will be a quick death sentence. Especially if we are talking about a zombie infection making rounds.

This whole thread is about the two middle aged guys who we meet somewhere around halfway through the first season, not the reveal that Ellie is gay near the end.