As the longest-running live-action show on American television, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit has had a plethora of LGBTQ+ guest star roles from the very beginning. But they’ve always had a hard time bringing that sort of diversity when it comes to the primary cast.
While they made the frustrating decision to boot bisexual detective Kat Tamin (Jamie Gray Hyder) at the start of this season, another familiar face came out as bi in the most recent episode in a touching and casual moment.
Noah Porter-Benson (Ryan Buggle) struggled with bullying at the start of “Burning With Rage Forever,” and by the episode’s conclusion, had a heart-to-heart with mom Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) as to why.
“First [the bully] went after Cory ‘cause Cory told everyone their pronouns are they/them,” Noah explained. “And Hudson started calling Cory a fairy. So then I said that I was bi and that there’s no shame in being true to yourself.”
Noah’s sexuality isn’t necessarily a huge surprise to dedicated fans of the show, but that SVU actually had a coming-out scene on a network show for a young child in the regular cast rotation is kind of a bold move — and hopefully a wake-up call to those who think LGBTQ+ representation is innately sexual, which this clearly is not.
Also important is the way Olivia didn’t miss a beat at her son’s confession. Rather than question or doubt him, she congratulated his bravery for standing up for both another classmate and himself.
“Thank you for telling me,” she says at the end of their conversation.
“No big deal,” he shrugs. “It’s not like I have a boyfriend or girlfriend. It’s just not fair for anybody to be left out.”
