Homophobic Empire fans took to Twitter this week to whine about a passionate gay kiss between Jamal Lyon and a new character, D-Major.
The scene occurred after an antagonistic face off between the two characters quickly evolved into a sexy tryst, with Jamal and D getting handsy in the recording studio.
After the scene aired, haters jumped on Twitter to voice frustration over the smooch kiss.
That gay scene is too much #Empire
— Onika's Baby (@Mikedopee) May 5, 2016
I'm not with this gay sht on #empire
— The REAL Pacrackz (@Pacrackz) May 5, 2016
More faggot visualization on Empire!!!B aware of tha agenda!!!JESUS IS WATCHIN !!!
— DE'PLAYASaintanjeloe (@THIRTEENPLUSS) May 5, 2016
Man I ain't watching empire no more, faggot ass shit… Smh I'm disappointed
— brankie (@32Brankie) May 5, 2016
Time for #empire 2 get canceled super gay
— Wilt the Stilt (@_almighty_o) May 5, 2016
Thankfully, a lot of people came out in support of the scene, calling out the haters and celebrating Empire’s commitment to diverse storytelling:
Living for @LeslieUggams on #Empire tonight. And get it Jamal. #LockTheDoor
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) May 5, 2016
Straight men are SO bothered by gay scenes on shows ie: #Empire, it doesn't make you look macho.. it makes you look ignorant & close-minded.
— paulie (@Trendeh) May 5, 2016
That's the sexiest, when a man gives you mixed messages….uhmmm NOT! I'm so glad Jamal won't date a down low brother! #empire
— bevysmith (@bevysmith) May 5, 2016
If you upset with the gay scenes on empire then stop watching because a main character is gay bro #Empire
— Jiggy A (@stretchgoddess) May 5, 2016
Ooooooo he got it bad for Jamal… #Empire pic.twitter.com/z1u3IfYrve
— Danie Buchanan (@Danie33B) May 5, 2016
Yaas HomoThug loving, now that's HOT! #Empire
— bevysmith (@bevysmith) May 5, 2016
While no one from the show has officially commented on the scene or the audience’s reaction to it, showrunner Ilene Chaiken did discuss LGBT representation on the show in an interview with Variety last month.
“Jamal is obviously a wildly attractive guy who is going to be attractive to a lot of people, but is also probably lonely,” she said.
“It’s hard as a star to really find love and find someone who can move in the same circles as you and it’s inevitable and it’s bound to happen that those unexpected attractions are going to flare up.”
Chaiken said the kiss was the “beginning of an interesting story that we hope will have legs.”