‘It’s Not a Gay Story. It’s a Love Story, You A**hole!’ – News JoJo

Nick Offerman, a staunch supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, once again lit up the stage with his advocacy at the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards held on Sunday night, 25 February.

The much-admired 53-year-old actor bagged the Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series award for his stellar portrayal of Bill in the gripping post-apocalyptic series, The Last of Us. The show’s third episode, titled ‘Long, Long Time,’ tenderly narrates Bill and Frank’s (played by Murray Bartlett) love story, earning accolades for its poignant LGBTQ representation. Despite this, it faced its share of backlash and unwarranted negative reviews.

Upon accepting his award in Santa Monica, Offerman Offerman thanked HBO “for having the guts to participate in this storytelling tradition that is truly independent.”

He continued: “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!” This declaration was met with enthusiastic applause from the gathered audience, punctuated by Offerman’s call for more LGBTQ+ storytelling.

The evening also saw Offerman humorously acknowledge his co-star, Bartlett, joking about their off-screen camaraderie and the ‘strawberries’ discussion, quickly clarifying it wasn’t a metaphor for anything else.

In another highlight for his work on The Last of Us, Offerman scooped up an Emmy in January for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, dedicating a portion of his acceptance speech to commend Bartlett as a brilliantly supportive co-star, humorously referring to him as “the Girth from Perth.” He credited Bartlett’s assistance as crucial in delivering a nuanced and compelling performance in a story beautifully unfolding between two people.

With anticipation building, it’s been announced that The Last of Us is gearing up for its second season, welcoming back stars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. Adding to the excitement, Catherine O’Hara, cherished for her roles in Schitt’s Creek and Home Alone, is set to join the cast, promising to bring her unique charm to the series.

Nick Offerman’s night at the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards wasn’t just a win for him but a triumph for storytelling that dares to speak its truth, celebrating love in all its forms.

Last update on 2024-02-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API