Feb 26
Nick Offerman Calls Out Homophobic Trolls While Accepting Award for 'The Last of Us' Love Story
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Nick Offerman found a moment while accepting a best supporting performance Independent Spirit Award for his guest star turn on "The Last of Us" to dismiss homophobic trolls who sent him hate messages over the role, Variety reported. "It's not a gay story, it's a love story, you asshole!" Offerman said in his acceptance speech.
Offerman played Bill, a prepper whose well-secured compound became a refuge as civilization collapsed in the wake of a worldwide epidemic. Murray Bartlett played the other half of a committed same-sex couple that flourished amidst the devastation.
"The episode earned near universal acclaim from critics," Variety noted of the fan-favorite flashback episode, "but that didn't stop homophobic trolls from taking issue with the show for spotlighting a gay romance."
"Thanks to HBO for having the guts to participate in this storytelling tradition that is truly independent," Offerman said as he accepted the award, the outlet relayed. "Stories with guts that, when homophobic hate comes my way and says, 'Why did you have to make it a gay story?,' we say, 'Because you ask questions like that. It's not a gay story it's a love story, you asshole!'"
"Offerman's comment earned a huge applause from the Spirit Awards audience," Variety noted. "His performance as Bill in 'The Last of Us' also earned him an Emmy Award for best guest actor in a drama series earlier this year."
"'The Last of Us' has begun production on Season 2 with series stars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey," Variety added.
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
