Nelsan Ellis (Lafayette) Talks ‘Te Blood,’ Gay Marriage, Tyler Perry –

Contents:

• GLAAD: ‘TE BLOOD’ HAS MOST GAY CHARACTERS
• SPOILER ALERT: TE BLOOD TURNS STRAIGHT CHARACTER GAY… BUT WHICH ONE?
• 'TE BLOOD' TO GA MORE GAY CHARACTERS
• 'TE BLOOD' ACTOR SPEAKS OUT ON EX-COSTAR'S ANTI-GAY BEHAVR: 'I'M OVER HIM'THE REAL REASON BEHD LE GRIM' EX A'T SO {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY SHNNA MURPHYJULY 22, 2014/12:27 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}HBOBY SHNNA MURPHYJULY 22, 2014 / 12:27 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"'TE BLOOD' ACTOR SPEAKS OUT ON EX-COSTAR'S ANTI-GAY BEHAVR: 'I'M OVER HIM'","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2014-07-22T16:27:26.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2014-07-22T16:27:26.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"MTV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"MTV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1280,"HEIGHT":720}},"CREATOR":"SHNNA MURPHY","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN "TE BLOOD" RETURNED FOR S SEVENTH AND FAL SEASON EARLIER THIS SUMMER, FANS IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT ONE CCIAL CHARACTER HAD A DIFFERENT FACE -- JAM, THE STUDLY VAMPIRE WHO ENTERED THE SHOW SEASON SIX TO ROMANCE DEBORAH ANN WOLL'S CHARACTER, JSI, WAS NOW BEG PLAYED BY A NEW ACTOR, NATHAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ACTOR WHO IALLY PLAYED JAM, LE GRIM, ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYG THAT HIS ABPT PARTURE "HAD NOTHG TO DO WH STORYL" AND MORE TO DO WH OTHER OPPORTUNI. (HE'LL BE APPEARG 2015'S SURE-TO-BE MEGAH "FIFTY SHAS OF GREY," FOR EXAMPLE.) AND HBO, FOR S PART, ATTRIBUTED HIS CISN TO "THE CREATIVE DIRECTN OF THE CHARACTER."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT ONCE BEME CLEAR THAT GRIM' FORMER CHARACTER WAS BISEXUAL, AND HEAD FOR ROMANCE WH NELSAN ELLIS' FAN-FAVORE CHARACTER LAFAYETTE, THE STORY GOT A B EPER -- AND NOW, WEEKS AFTER BUZZFEED FIRST REPORTED THAT GRIM ED EXED THE SHOW BEE HE DIDN'T WANT TO PLAY GAY, AND THAT HIS ACTNS "BAFFLED AND ANGERED" THE "TE BLOOD" ST AND CREW, ELLIS HIMSELF IS SPEAKG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I MEAN, I N SAY I'M NOT GOG TO MAKE A MENT, BUT I JT THK THAT, YOU'RE AN ACTOR, YOU'RE AN ACTOR ON A SHOW THAT'S 'TE BLOOD,'" ELLIS TOLD VULTURE AFTER THE JULY 20 EPISO, WHICH FEATURED LAFAYETTE AND JAM' FIRST SEX SCENE. "WE'RE ALL STG THERE GOG, 'YOU QU YOUR JOB BEE ... REALLY?' I'M JT... I'M OVER HIM. YOU QU YOUR JOB BEE YOU DON'T WANT TO PLAY A GAY PART? AS IF 'S ... YOU KNOW WHAT? I'M GOG TO STOP TALKG."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ELLIS DIDN'T STOP THERE, HOWEVER -- HE POTED OUT THAT GRIM' ACTNS MAKE A FIVE STATEMENT, AND THAT A STATEMENT OF THIS KD N HAVE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"YOU MAKE A STATEMENT WHEN YOU DO SOMETHG LIKE THAT," HE NTUED. "I DID A DOCUMENTARY LLED 'DAMN WONRFUL,' ABOUT GAY SUICI, AND YOU MAKE A STATEMENT, A BIG STATEMENT, WHEN YOU GO, 'I DON'T WANT TO PLAY THIS PART BEE 'S GAY.' IF YOU HAVE A CHILD, IF YOU HAVE A SON, AND HE OUT AS GAY, WHAT ARE YOU GOG TO DO? IF YOU HAVE A DGHTER WHO OUT GAY...? YOU JT MA A STATEMENT, AND HAS RIPPLE EFFECTS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ELLIS ALSO SAID THAT, AS AN ACTOR, YOU N'T E TO A PROJECT -- PECIALLY A PROJECT LIKE "TE BLOOD," WHICH BOASTED FIVE FULL YEARS OF SEX AND LGBT-IENDLY NTENT BEFORE GRIM EVEN ENTERED THE SCENE -- AND TELL YOUR BOSS WHAT YOU WILL AND WILL NOT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WHEN SCRIPTS E, WE'RE LIKE, 'WHAT ARE THEY GOG TO HAVE DO THIS WEEK?' BUT WHEN YOU MAKE A STATEMENT THAT IS A JUDGMENT ... I WAS KD OF LIKE, 'HAVE YOU MET ALAN BALL?'" HE SAID, REFERRG TO THE SHOW'S OPENLY GAY CREATOR. "I'M SUPPOSED TO DO WHAT MY BOSS TELLS ME TO DO, AS AN ACTOR. I N'T APPROACH A CHARACTER WH JUDGMENT. I CERTALY N'T TELL MY BOSS, 'I N ACT WHAT I WANT TO ACT, BUT NOT WHAT YOU TELL ME TO ACT,' PECIALLY ON A SHOW WHERE YOU E , KNOWG WHAT IS. I WAS LIKE, 'OKAY... I GUS?' I JT THOUGHT THAT, HAVG JT DONE THE DOCUMENTARY, I DIDN'T LIKE WHAT HE DID BEE HE MA A STATEMENT, AND SOMETIM YOU HAVE TO TAKE RPONSIBILY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WELL, THERE YOU HAVE -- THE MYSTERY OF JAM KENT'S NEW FACE HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN SOLVED. BUT DON'T FOR ONE SEND FEEL SORRY FOR ELLIS, WHO SAYS HE ADOR AND HAS "GREAT CHEMISTRY" WH PARSONS, WHO SEEMS MORE THAN HAPPY TO BE STARRG ON THIS BLOCKBTER SHOW. AND THEN, OF URSE, THERE'S THE FACT THAT GRIM WILL LIKELY NOT BE VED TO STAR THE "TE BLOOD" MIL... OR ON ANY HBO SHOWS GENERAL, ACRDG TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I DON'T THK HE'LL BE VED BACK TO HBO," THE ACTOR NCLUD, WH A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• NELSAN ELLIS (LAFAYETTE) TALKS ‘TE BLOOD,’ GAY MARRIAGE, TYLER PERRY
• IS TE BLOOD ABOUT GAY RIGHTS? FAN THEORY DEBUNKED
• 'TE BLOOD' ACTOR SPEAKS OUT ON EX-COSTAR'S ANTI-GAY BEHAVR: 'I'M OVER HIM'THE REAL REASON BEHD LE GRIM' EX A'T SO {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY SHNNA MURPHYJULY 22, 2014/12:27 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}HBOBY SHNNA MURPHYJULY 22, 2014 / 12:27 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"'TE BLOOD' ACTOR SPEAKS OUT ON EX-COSTAR'S ANTI-GAY BEHAVR: 'I'M OVER HIM'","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2014-07-22T16:27:26.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2014-07-22T16:27:26.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"MTV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"MTV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1280,"HEIGHT":720}},"CREATOR":"SHNNA MURPHY","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN "TE BLOOD" RETURNED FOR S SEVENTH AND FAL SEASON EARLIER THIS SUMMER, FANS IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT ONE CCIAL CHARACTER HAD A DIFFERENT FACE -- JAM, THE STUDLY VAMPIRE WHO ENTERED THE SHOW SEASON SIX TO ROMANCE DEBORAH ANN WOLL'S CHARACTER, JSI, WAS NOW BEG PLAYED BY A NEW ACTOR, NATHAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ACTOR WHO IALLY PLAYED JAM, LE GRIM, ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYG THAT HIS ABPT PARTURE "HAD NOTHG TO DO WH STORYL" AND MORE TO DO WH OTHER OPPORTUNI. (HE'LL BE APPEARG 2015'S SURE-TO-BE MEGAH "FIFTY SHAS OF GREY," FOR EXAMPLE.) AND HBO, FOR S PART, ATTRIBUTED HIS CISN TO "THE CREATIVE DIRECTN OF THE CHARACTER."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT ONCE BEME CLEAR THAT GRIM' FORMER CHARACTER WAS BISEXUAL, AND HEAD FOR ROMANCE WH NELSAN ELLIS' FAN-FAVORE CHARACTER LAFAYETTE, THE STORY GOT A B EPER -- AND NOW, WEEKS AFTER BUZZFEED FIRST REPORTED THAT GRIM ED EXED THE SHOW BEE HE DIDN'T WANT TO PLAY GAY, AND THAT HIS ACTNS "BAFFLED AND ANGERED" THE "TE BLOOD" ST AND CREW, ELLIS HIMSELF IS SPEAKG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I MEAN, I N SAY I'M NOT GOG TO MAKE A MENT, BUT I JT THK THAT, YOU'RE AN ACTOR, YOU'RE AN ACTOR ON A SHOW THAT'S 'TE BLOOD,'" ELLIS TOLD VULTURE AFTER THE JULY 20 EPISO, WHICH FEATURED LAFAYETTE AND JAM' FIRST SEX SCENE. "WE'RE ALL STG THERE GOG, 'YOU QU YOUR JOB BEE ... REALLY?' I'M JT... I'M OVER HIM. YOU QU YOUR JOB BEE YOU DON'T WANT TO PLAY A GAY PART? AS IF 'S ... YOU KNOW WHAT? I'M GOG TO STOP TALKG."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ELLIS DIDN'T STOP THERE, HOWEVER -- HE POTED OUT THAT GRIM' ACTNS MAKE A FIVE STATEMENT, AND THAT A STATEMENT OF THIS KD N HAVE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"YOU MAKE A STATEMENT WHEN YOU DO SOMETHG LIKE THAT," HE NTUED. "I DID A DOCUMENTARY LLED 'DAMN WONRFUL,' ABOUT GAY SUICI, AND YOU MAKE A STATEMENT, A BIG STATEMENT, WHEN YOU GO, 'I DON'T WANT TO PLAY THIS PART BEE 'S GAY.' IF YOU HAVE A CHILD, IF YOU HAVE A SON, AND HE OUT AS GAY, WHAT ARE YOU GOG TO DO? IF YOU HAVE A DGHTER WHO OUT GAY...? YOU JT MA A STATEMENT, AND HAS RIPPLE EFFECTS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ELLIS ALSO SAID THAT, AS AN ACTOR, YOU N'T E TO A PROJECT -- PECIALLY A PROJECT LIKE "TE BLOOD," WHICH BOASTED FIVE FULL YEARS OF SEX AND LGBT-IENDLY NTENT BEFORE GRIM EVEN ENTERED THE SCENE -- AND TELL YOUR BOSS WHAT YOU WILL AND WILL NOT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WHEN SCRIPTS E, WE'RE LIKE, 'WHAT ARE THEY GOG TO HAVE DO THIS WEEK?' BUT WHEN YOU MAKE A STATEMENT THAT IS A JUDGMENT ... I WAS KD OF LIKE, 'HAVE YOU MET ALAN BALL?'" HE SAID, REFERRG TO THE SHOW'S OPENLY GAY CREATOR. "I'M SUPPOSED TO DO WHAT MY BOSS TELLS ME TO DO, AS AN ACTOR. I N'T APPROACH A CHARACTER WH JUDGMENT. I CERTALY N'T TELL MY BOSS, 'I N ACT WHAT I WANT TO ACT, BUT NOT WHAT YOU TELL ME TO ACT,' PECIALLY ON A SHOW WHERE YOU E , KNOWG WHAT IS. I WAS LIKE, 'OKAY... I GUS?' I JT THOUGHT THAT, HAVG JT DONE THE DOCUMENTARY, I DIDN'T LIKE WHAT HE DID BEE HE MA A STATEMENT, AND SOMETIM YOU HAVE TO TAKE RPONSIBILY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WELL, THERE YOU HAVE -- THE MYSTERY OF JAM KENT'S NEW FACE HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN SOLVED. BUT DON'T FOR ONE SEND FEEL SORRY FOR ELLIS, WHO SAYS HE ADOR AND HAS "GREAT CHEMISTRY" WH PARSONS, WHO SEEMS MORE THAN HAPPY TO BE STARRG ON THIS BLOCKBTER SHOW. AND THEN, OF URSE, THERE'S THE FACT THAT GRIM WILL LIKELY NOT BE VED TO STAR THE "TE BLOOD" MIL... OR ON ANY HBO SHOWS GENERAL, ACRDG TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I DON'T THK HE'LL BE VED BACK TO HBO," THE ACTOR NCLUD, WH A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• 'TE BLOOD' ACTOR NELSAN ELLIS: FORMER STAR QU BEE HE DIDN'T 'WANT TO PLAY A GAY PART'

GLAAD: ‘TE BLOOD’ HAS MOST GAY CHARACTERS

"Yet over s seven seasons the seri also went the extra e by cludg many gay, lbian, and bisexual characters who were jt as diverse, dangero, and memorable as Bon Temps' other rints. Take a look back at some of the gay sex dreams that have appeared on Te Blood, which, often feature Kwanten as the betiful season 6, Jason Stackhoe shared a sexy dream sequence after drkg the vae of the vampire-fairy Warlow, played by Rob Kazsky.

Earlier the show's n, Jason received a surprise bedfellow the form of Eddie, a middle-aged gay vampire. "The shows don't simply rely on stereotypil "gay bt iends" or feature women kissg as a publicy stunt. Mickey Milkovich's g out on Showtime's "Shamels" was hailed as a moment that shattered gay stereotyp.

SPOILER ALERT: TE BLOOD TURNS STRAIGHT CHARACTER GAY… BUT WHICH ONE?

Eric Effng, a ma character on "Sex Edutn, " explor what means to be openly gay his relig Ain fay. Although the show largely follows Otis and Eric is technilly Otis' bt iend, would be wholly accurate to place Eric the "gay bt iend" box; actor Ncuti Gatwa, who is also gay real life, says that's by sign.

He's also gay and Otis is his bt iend. Nicky Nichols was one of many inic gay mat on "Orange Is the New Black.

Will Tman and Jack McFarland, both gay men, broke boundari on "Will & Grace. It was jt one year after Ellen Man beme the first character to e out on TV — a move that subsequently tanked "Ellen's" rankgs and likely led to the show's "Will & Grace, " a show that largely foced on two gay men, was so popular that was revived 20 years Msg, who plays Grace, told TheWrap that she origally saw their gay lead (Eric McCormack's Will) as the most "revolutnary" aspect of the show.

'TE BLOOD' TO GA MORE GAY CHARACTERS

Moreover, featurg two different gay men who were vastly different om one another helped challenge the stereotyp that still plague gay men to this day.

Omar Ltle on "The Wire" helped take away some of the stigma that surrounds openly gay black men. HBO's "The Wire" handled Omar's sexualy "a measured and matter-of-fact way, " Glen Weldon wrote for Decir, dubbg the notor stick-up man "one of TV's first gay superhero.

Kurt Hummel was the first openly gay character troduced on "Glee. Fox's "Glee" was often praised as an LGBTQ haven, but Kurt — the show's first openly gay character, who famoly kicked a field goal for the football team while performg Beyoncé's "Sgle Ladi" dance — had a particularly strong one of his most memorable moments, Kurt shared a climactic kiss wh Blae that produced ltle to no outrage, a symbolic moment of progrs for onscreen queer reprentatn.

'TE BLOOD' ACTOR SPEAKS OUT ON EX-COSTAR'S ANTI-GAY BEHAVR: 'I'M OVER HIM'THE REAL REASON BEHD LE GRIM' EX A'T SO {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY SHNNA MURPHYJULY 22, 2014/12:27 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}HBOBY SHNNA MURPHYJULY 22, 2014 / 12:27 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"'TE BLOOD' ACTOR SPEAKS OUT ON EX-COSTAR'S ANTI-GAY BEHAVR: 'I'M OVER HIM'","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2014-07-22T16:27:26.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2014-07-22T16:27:26.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"MTV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"MTV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1280,"HEIGHT":720}},"CREATOR":"SHNNA MURPHY","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN "TE BLOOD" RETURNED FOR S SEVENTH AND FAL SEASON EARLIER THIS SUMMER, FANS IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT ONE CCIAL CHARACTER HAD A DIFFERENT FACE -- JAM, THE STUDLY VAMPIRE WHO ENTERED THE SHOW SEASON SIX TO ROMANCE DEBORAH ANN WOLL'S CHARACTER, JSI, WAS NOW BEG PLAYED BY A NEW ACTOR, NATHAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ACTOR WHO IALLY PLAYED JAM, LE GRIM, ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYG THAT HIS ABPT PARTURE "HAD NOTHG TO DO WH STORYL" AND MORE TO DO WH OTHER OPPORTUNI. (HE'LL BE APPEARG 2015'S SURE-TO-BE MEGAH "FIFTY SHAS OF GREY," FOR EXAMPLE.) AND HBO, FOR S PART, ATTRIBUTED HIS CISN TO "THE CREATIVE DIRECTN OF THE CHARACTER."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT ONCE BEME CLEAR THAT GRIM' FORMER CHARACTER WAS BISEXUAL, AND HEAD FOR ROMANCE WH NELSAN ELLIS' FAN-FAVORE CHARACTER LAFAYETTE, THE STORY GOT A B EPER -- AND NOW, WEEKS AFTER BUZZFEED FIRST REPORTED THAT GRIM ED EXED THE SHOW BEE HE DIDN'T WANT TO PLAY GAY, AND THAT HIS ACTNS "BAFFLED AND ANGERED" THE "TE BLOOD" ST AND CREW, ELLIS HIMSELF IS SPEAKG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I MEAN, I N SAY I'M NOT GOG TO MAKE A MENT, BUT I JT THK THAT, YOU'RE AN ACTOR, YOU'RE AN ACTOR ON A SHOW THAT'S 'TE BLOOD,'" ELLIS TOLD VULTURE AFTER THE JULY 20 EPISO, WHICH FEATURED LAFAYETTE AND JAM' FIRST SEX SCENE. "WE'RE ALL STG THERE GOG, 'YOU QU YOUR JOB BEE ... REALLY?' I'M JT... I'M OVER HIM. YOU QU YOUR JOB BEE YOU DON'T WANT TO PLAY A GAY PART? AS IF 'S ... YOU KNOW WHAT? I'M GOG TO STOP TALKG."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ELLIS DIDN'T STOP THERE, HOWEVER -- HE POTED OUT THAT GRIM' ACTNS MAKE A FIVE STATEMENT, AND THAT A STATEMENT OF THIS KD N HAVE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"YOU MAKE A STATEMENT WHEN YOU DO SOMETHG LIKE THAT," HE NTUED. "I DID A DOCUMENTARY LLED 'DAMN WONRFUL,' ABOUT GAY SUICI, AND YOU MAKE A STATEMENT, A BIG STATEMENT, WHEN YOU GO, 'I DON'T WANT TO PLAY THIS PART BEE 'S GAY.' IF YOU HAVE A CHILD, IF YOU HAVE A SON, AND HE OUT AS GAY, WHAT ARE YOU GOG TO DO? IF YOU HAVE A DGHTER WHO OUT GAY...? YOU JT MA A STATEMENT, AND HAS RIPPLE EFFECTS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ELLIS ALSO SAID THAT, AS AN ACTOR, YOU N'T E TO A PROJECT -- PECIALLY A PROJECT LIKE "TE BLOOD," WHICH BOASTED FIVE FULL YEARS OF SEX AND LGBT-IENDLY NTENT BEFORE GRIM EVEN ENTERED THE SCENE -- AND TELL YOUR BOSS WHAT YOU WILL AND WILL NOT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WHEN SCRIPTS E, WE'RE LIKE, 'WHAT ARE THEY GOG TO HAVE DO THIS WEEK?' BUT WHEN YOU MAKE A STATEMENT THAT IS A JUDGMENT ... I WAS KD OF LIKE, 'HAVE YOU MET ALAN BALL?'" HE SAID, REFERRG TO THE SHOW'S OPENLY GAY CREATOR. "I'M SUPPOSED TO DO WHAT MY BOSS TELLS ME TO DO, AS AN ACTOR. I N'T APPROACH A CHARACTER WH JUDGMENT. I CERTALY N'T TELL MY BOSS, 'I N ACT WHAT I WANT TO ACT, BUT NOT WHAT YOU TELL ME TO ACT,' PECIALLY ON A SHOW WHERE YOU E , KNOWG WHAT IS. I WAS LIKE, 'OKAY... I GUS?' I JT THOUGHT THAT, HAVG JT DONE THE DOCUMENTARY, I DIDN'T LIKE WHAT HE DID BEE HE MA A STATEMENT, AND SOMETIM YOU HAVE TO TAKE RPONSIBILY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WELL, THERE YOU HAVE -- THE MYSTERY OF JAM KENT'S NEW FACE HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN SOLVED. BUT DON'T FOR ONE SEND FEEL SORRY FOR ELLIS, WHO SAYS HE ADOR AND HAS "GREAT CHEMISTRY" WH PARSONS, WHO SEEMS MORE THAN HAPPY TO BE STARRG ON THIS BLOCKBTER SHOW. AND THEN, OF URSE, THERE'S THE FACT THAT GRIM WILL LIKELY NOT BE VED TO STAR THE "TE BLOOD" MIL... OR ON ANY HBO SHOWS GENERAL, ACRDG TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I DON'T THK HE'LL BE VED BACK TO HBO," THE ACTOR NCLUD, WH A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

T Andromedon is a beloved gay character on "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

But he was also a femme gay man who subverts the "gay bt iend" was granted almost exactly as much screen time as the show's tular character and enjoyed his own plex subplots.

NELSAN ELLIS (LAFAYETTE) TALKS ‘TE BLOOD,’ GAY MARRIAGE, TYLER PERRY

The Showtime show, adapted om the origal Brish versn on Channel 4, followed a group of gay men navigatg discrimatn, the AIDS crisis, same-sex marriage, and the tle suggts, the show featur a number of beloved queer characters.

But the evolutn of Brian Kney remas one of the most plex and relatable gay story l on TV.

IS TE BLOOD ABOUT GAY RIGHTS? FAN THEORY DEBUNKED

As an openly gay, black police officer, Capta Raymond Holt fought his way through discrimatn on "Brooklyn Ne-Ne. As fans of NBC's "Brooklyn Ne-Ne" are aware, Raymond Holt me out as gay the '80s. He stggled wh discrimatn and homophobia as a member of the NYPD, but eventually achieved his dream of beg promoted to pta and never promised his sense of self.

Maxxie Oliver rose above homophobia on "Sks.

'TE BLOOD' ACTOR SPEAKS OUT ON EX-COSTAR'S ANTI-GAY BEHAVR: 'I'M OVER HIM'THE REAL REASON BEHD LE GRIM' EX A'T SO {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY SHNNA MURPHYJULY 22, 2014/12:27 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}HBOBY SHNNA MURPHYJULY 22, 2014 / 12:27 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"'TE BLOOD' ACTOR SPEAKS OUT ON EX-COSTAR'S ANTI-GAY BEHAVR: 'I'M OVER HIM'","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2014-07-22T16:27:26.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2014-07-22T16:27:26.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"MTV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"MTV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1280,"HEIGHT":720}},"CREATOR":"SHNNA MURPHY","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN "TE BLOOD" RETURNED FOR S SEVENTH AND FAL SEASON EARLIER THIS SUMMER, FANS IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT ONE CCIAL CHARACTER HAD A DIFFERENT FACE -- JAM, THE STUDLY VAMPIRE WHO ENTERED THE SHOW SEASON SIX TO ROMANCE DEBORAH ANN WOLL'S CHARACTER, JSI, WAS NOW BEG PLAYED BY A NEW ACTOR, NATHAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ACTOR WHO IALLY PLAYED JAM, LE GRIM, ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYG THAT HIS ABPT PARTURE "HAD NOTHG TO DO WH STORYL" AND MORE TO DO WH OTHER OPPORTUNI. (HE'LL BE APPEARG 2015'S SURE-TO-BE MEGAH "FIFTY SHAS OF GREY," FOR EXAMPLE.) AND HBO, FOR S PART, ATTRIBUTED HIS CISN TO "THE CREATIVE DIRECTN OF THE CHARACTER."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT ONCE BEME CLEAR THAT GRIM' FORMER CHARACTER WAS BISEXUAL, AND HEAD FOR ROMANCE WH NELSAN ELLIS' FAN-FAVORE CHARACTER LAFAYETTE, THE STORY GOT A B EPER -- AND NOW, WEEKS AFTER BUZZFEED FIRST REPORTED THAT GRIM ED EXED THE SHOW BEE HE DIDN'T WANT TO PLAY GAY, AND THAT HIS ACTNS "BAFFLED AND ANGERED" THE "TE BLOOD" ST AND CREW, ELLIS HIMSELF IS SPEAKG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I MEAN, I N SAY I'M NOT GOG TO MAKE A MENT, BUT I JT THK THAT, YOU'RE AN ACTOR, YOU'RE AN ACTOR ON A SHOW THAT'S 'TE BLOOD,'" ELLIS TOLD VULTURE AFTER THE JULY 20 EPISO, WHICH FEATURED LAFAYETTE AND JAM' FIRST SEX SCENE. "WE'RE ALL STG THERE GOG, 'YOU QU YOUR JOB BEE ... REALLY?' I'M JT... I'M OVER HIM. YOU QU YOUR JOB BEE YOU DON'T WANT TO PLAY A GAY PART? AS IF 'S ... YOU KNOW WHAT? I'M GOG TO STOP TALKG."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ELLIS DIDN'T STOP THERE, HOWEVER -- HE POTED OUT THAT GRIM' ACTNS MAKE A FIVE STATEMENT, AND THAT A STATEMENT OF THIS KD N HAVE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"YOU MAKE A STATEMENT WHEN YOU DO SOMETHG LIKE THAT," HE NTUED. "I DID A DOCUMENTARY LLED 'DAMN WONRFUL,' ABOUT GAY SUICI, AND YOU MAKE A STATEMENT, A BIG STATEMENT, WHEN YOU GO, 'I DON'T WANT TO PLAY THIS PART BEE 'S GAY.' IF YOU HAVE A CHILD, IF YOU HAVE A SON, AND HE OUT AS GAY, WHAT ARE YOU GOG TO DO? IF YOU HAVE A DGHTER WHO OUT GAY...? YOU JT MA A STATEMENT, AND HAS RIPPLE EFFECTS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ELLIS ALSO SAID THAT, AS AN ACTOR, YOU N'T E TO A PROJECT -- PECIALLY A PROJECT LIKE "TE BLOOD," WHICH BOASTED FIVE FULL YEARS OF SEX AND LGBT-IENDLY NTENT BEFORE GRIM EVEN ENTERED THE SCENE -- AND TELL YOUR BOSS WHAT YOU WILL AND WILL NOT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WHEN SCRIPTS E, WE'RE LIKE, 'WHAT ARE THEY GOG TO HAVE DO THIS WEEK?' BUT WHEN YOU MAKE A STATEMENT THAT IS A JUDGMENT ... I WAS KD OF LIKE, 'HAVE YOU MET ALAN BALL?'" HE SAID, REFERRG TO THE SHOW'S OPENLY GAY CREATOR. "I'M SUPPOSED TO DO WHAT MY BOSS TELLS ME TO DO, AS AN ACTOR. I N'T APPROACH A CHARACTER WH JUDGMENT. I CERTALY N'T TELL MY BOSS, 'I N ACT WHAT I WANT TO ACT, BUT NOT WHAT YOU TELL ME TO ACT,' PECIALLY ON A SHOW WHERE YOU E , KNOWG WHAT IS. I WAS LIKE, 'OKAY... I GUS?' I JT THOUGHT THAT, HAVG JT DONE THE DOCUMENTARY, I DIDN'T LIKE WHAT HE DID BEE HE MA A STATEMENT, AND SOMETIM YOU HAVE TO TAKE RPONSIBILY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WELL, THERE YOU HAVE -- THE MYSTERY OF JAM KENT'S NEW FACE HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN SOLVED. BUT DON'T FOR ONE SEND FEEL SORRY FOR ELLIS, WHO SAYS HE ADOR AND HAS "GREAT CHEMISTRY" WH PARSONS, WHO SEEMS MORE THAN HAPPY TO BE STARRG ON THIS BLOCKBTER SHOW. AND THEN, OF URSE, THERE'S THE FACT THAT GRIM WILL LIKELY NOT BE VED TO STAR THE "TE BLOOD" MIL... OR ON ANY HBO SHOWS GENERAL, ACRDG TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I DON'T THK HE'LL BE VED BACK TO HBO," THE ACTOR NCLUD, WH A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

The realism of "Sks" mand that young adults on TV be taken serly as they navigate sex and the show's first out gay character, Maxxie helped open the door for elevated queer story l teen dramas, pecially on that didn't jt revolve around g out. Especially the ntext of a fay-oriented edy, Mch and Cam helped normalize gay relatnships on TV — pecially sce the show premiered 2009, four years before the Defense of Marriage Act was overturned.

Cys Beene was the first openly gay vice print the "Sndal" universe — and otherwise.

But a world where the Vice Print of the Uned Stat actively supports homophobic polici, an openly gay and fluential polician — even on TV — feels like a relief. Elena Alvarez stggled wh her father's homophobia on "One Day at a Time. "Friends" has been cricized for g homosexualy as a punchle, but for s time, "The One Wh the Lbian Weddg" was almost radil.

'TE BLOOD' ACTOR NELSAN ELLIS: FORMER STAR QU BEE HE DIDN'T 'WANT TO PLAY A GAY PART'

There's someone who tri to unrme my posn bee he found out I was gay, so he was actually gunng for my job. Ryan, a gay man wh cerebral palsy, stars on "Special. Netflix's "Special" tells the story of a gay man wh cerebral palsy, givg voice to an extremely unrreprented inty — and starrg someone who unrstands first-hand, as a gay man wh cerebral O'Connell, who wrote the memoir the show is based on, told GQ that was "really hard" to sell the show to works.

"The show has also been celebrated for s realistic, relatable pictns of gay sex. "It's time to show gay sex for what is, and if people have a problem wh that, then too bad, they need to unpack that wh their therapist, " O'Connell told GQ.

Lafayette Reynolds was the only character who was both gay and human on "Te Blood. It has been wily and nvcgly argued that HBO's "Te Blood" was, sence, a loose allegory for the fight for gay rights. The show was dited to them of acceptance, the nuanc of assiatn, and diversy wh fed actual gay characters are most sential on a show that explor the ias.

Lafayette — the only ma character who was both gay and human — is particularly adored.

Rickie Vasquez on "My So-Called Life" was the first character to e out as gay on a work TV seri. Puttg a gay, Lato character at the foreont of ABC's "My So-Called Life, " a teen show that aired the '90s, was the fn of "groundbreakg.