Disney Channel will feature its first gay storyline, and we’re so happy this is finally happening

We all grew up on Disney Channel content, whether it’s DCOMs or television shows or (hopefully) both. Now Disney Channel is making us proud, breaking ground with its first gay storyline via Andi Mack. It’s sad to think that it’s taken this long to get to share this news — but we’re so glad we finally can.

The Season 2 premiere of Disney Channel’s Andi Mack (which airs this Friday) will follow one of the show’s main characters as he realizes he might have feelings for a male classmate. Of course, there have been gay characters on Disney Channel before. But this is the first time a main character has been given an arc to this effect, so it’s a pretty big deal.

Andi Mack was created by Terri Minsky, the brain behind Lizzie McGuire.

We’re behind both Minsky and Disney Channel as they step into this new, important territory. And it sounds like Minsky and Disney Channel did their research. They consulted with child development experts while formulating the storyline, and hosted advanced screenings for organizations like Common Sense Media, GLAAD, and PFLAG.

Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO and president of GLAAD, said of the show:

"With more and more young people coming out as LGBTQ, Andi Mack is reflecting the lives and lived experiences of so many LGBTQ youth around the country. Television reflects the real-life world, and today that includes LGBTQ youth who deserve to see their lives depicted on their favorite shows. "Disney has been a leader in LGBTQ inclusion, and there are so many young people who will be excited to see Cyrus' story unfold."

It’s crucial that this sort of content be mainstream for kids. Popular networks for kids’ programming like Disney Channel need to continue to push forward with diverse content, and give kids of all backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, genders, and sexualities stories and role models to identify with.

A+ Disney Channel. We knew we loved you.