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A Conservative councillor in Kent has come under fire after posting a controversial TikTok video that mocked a character’s coming out scene in the popular Netflix series “Stranger Things.”
Matthew Bridger, 25, who serves as a councillor and chair of Kennington Community Council while holding senior positions within the Ashford Conservative Association and Ashford Young Conservatives, shared the now-deleted video featuring edited footage from the drama’s fifth season.
The post combined Will Byers’ emotional coming out moment with unrelated footage of actor Jake Connelly laughing in character as Derek Turnbow from the same series. Bridger captioned the video: “Netflix decided to RUIN their most popular show by focusing on a load of LGBTQ propaganda. The majority of people are sick of this nonsense in shows and movies and it clearly shows in the latest ratings.”
The scene in question has become a focal point for both praise and criticism since the release of the latest season. Despite some negative online reactions labeling the storyline as “woke,” the series has performed exceptionally well, attracting 34.5 million views after Volume 2 was released on Boxing Day 2025.
In a recent interview with Variety, “Stranger Things” co-creators Matt and Ross Duffer expressed surprise at the backlash the scene received. “No is the honest truth,” Matt Duffer explained when asked if they anticipated negative reactions. “Because it is, as Ross said, something we’ve been building for a really long time. I always say, Ross and I are many things, but subtle is not one of those things.”
Ross Duffer defended both the episode and actor Noah Schnapp’s performance, describing it as “a really brave, very vulnerable performance.” He added that he had been in contact with Schnapp since the episode aired, noting that the actor is “in a really good place. He’s very proud of the scene, and we’re proud of the scene.”
The storyline holds particular significance as Schnapp, who plays Will Byers, publicly came out as gay himself in a TikTok video in 2023 at the age of 20. Matt Duffer emphasized the importance of supporting the now 21-year-old actor, acknowledging that the storyline was personally meaningful to him.
According to the series creators, Will’s coming out scene was designed not only to explore his personal journey toward self-acceptance but also to connect with the larger narrative arc, as his character’s powers following this moment played a crucial role in the finale, particularly in defeating the season’s villain, Vecna.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions surrounding LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream entertainment. While some viewers expressed disapproval online—with comments like “I can’t even watch it now. They ruined it for a woke stupid agenda for no reason”—the strong viewership numbers suggest the storyline hasn’t deterred the show’s overall popularity.
The incident also raises questions about the responsibilities of elected officials when expressing personal views on social media platforms. As a public figure in local government, Bridger’s comments have attracted scrutiny regarding how such statements might affect constituents, particularly those from the LGBTQ+ community.
The popular science fiction series, which blends 1980s nostalgia with supernatural elements, has consistently addressed themes of identity and acceptance throughout its run. The latest season appears to continue this tradition, integrating personal character development with the show’s signature supernatural storylines.
When approached by Attitude magazine, Bridger had not yet provided comment on the controversy surrounding his post.
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14 Comments
While everyone is entitled to their opinion, mocking a character’s coming out scene is disrespectful and perpetuates intolerance. I hope the councillor reflects on the impact of their words.
Agreed. Representation matters, especially for young viewers who may be struggling with their own identity. This incident highlights the need for more empathy and understanding.
The councillor’s comments are troubling. Depicting LGBTQ characters and storylines is not ‘propaganda’ – it’s about reflecting the real experiences of many people. I hope this incident leads to a constructive discussion.
Absolutely. Diversity in media should be celebrated, not criticized. Dismissing representation as ‘nonsense’ is narrow-minded and out of touch.
This is an unfortunate situation. While everyone is entitled to their opinion, mocking a character’s coming out scene is insensitive and perpetuates harmful stereotypes. Diversity in media should be celebrated, not criticized.
I agree. Representation of LGBTQ characters is not ‘propaganda’ – it’s about reflecting the real experiences of many people. Dismissing it as ‘nonsense’ is narrow-minded.
This is a disappointing incident. While everyone is entitled to their opinion, dismissing LGBTQ representation as ‘nonsense’ is both insensitive and inaccurate. Thoughtful depiction of diverse characters can have a positive impact on viewers.
Agreed. Mocking a character’s coming out scene is disrespectful and perpetuates harmful stereotypes. I hope this leads to a more constructive discussion about the importance of inclusivity in media.
The councillor’s comments are concerning. Depicting LGBTQ characters and storylines is not about ‘propaganda’ – it’s about providing representation and reflections of our diverse society. I hope this leads to a more thoughtful discussion.
Well said. Mocking a character’s coming out scene is disrespectful and perpetuates intolerance. Diverse representation in media should be welcomed, not ridiculed.
This is an unfortunate incident. While people are entitled to their opinions, mocking a character’s coming out scene is insensitive and perpetuates harmful stereotypes. TV shows should reflect the diversity of our society.
I agree. Thoughtful representation of LGBTQ characters can have a positive impact, especially for young viewers. It’s disappointing to see such a dismissive reaction.
The councillor’s comments are disappointing and concerning. Diverse representation in media should be welcomed, not ridiculed. I hope this leads to a meaningful discussion about inclusivity and respect.
Well said. Dismissing LGBTQ storylines as ‘propaganda’ is both insensitive and inaccurate. Thoughtful representation can have a positive impact on viewers.