Oliver Stark Stands Up for Buck’s Bisexuality in ‘9-1-1′
We’re all about love and inclusion, and when it comes to celebrating LGBTQ+ representation, 9-1-1 just hit a milestone. In the recent episode of the show (Season 7, Episode 4 “Buck, Bothered and Bewildered”), Evan Buckley, affectionately known as Buck (Oliver Stark), revealed his bisexuality, sparking both applause and criticism from viewers.
Oliver Stark took to Instagram to address the buzz surrounding Buck’s storyline. He shared, “Humbled and overwhelmed by the positive reaction to Buck’s storyline. I’ve read so many of your messages and I couldn’t be prouder.” However, Stark didn’t shy away from addressing the naysayers, adding, “If one other character finding a new facet to his sexuality and realizing his bisexuality is your deal breaker — I fear you’ve missed the entire point of the show.”
In a recent interview with EW, Stark pointed out that Buck’s journey has been “seasons and seasons in the making,” highlighting the gradual development of Buck’s character. Before this episode, Buck was often seen as a conventionally straight, masculine character due to his relationships with women. However, hints about his sexuality were subtly woven into the series, leading to this pivotal moment.
The backlash against Buck’s bisexuality arc, especially the scene where he shares a kiss with Tommy Kinard (Louis Ferrigno Jr.), reflects underlying homophobia. Stark’s firm support for the show’s decision reinforces 9-1-1’s commitment to inclusivity. He reminded everyone that the series has featured LGBTQ+ relationships from the start, including the beautiful portrayal of a Black lesbian marriage by Aisha Hind and Tracie Thoms.
You can read Stark’s full statement in the image below (alt text available):
![Image taken from Oliver Stark's Instagram account with a text that reads: “Humbled and overwhelmed by the positive reaction to Buck’s storyline. I’ve read so many of your messages and I couldn’t be prouder. If you are one of the smaller group of people commenting on my posts about how this has ruined the show. I would like you to know that I truly don’t care. This is a show about love and inclusion. It’s featured queer relationships from the very beginning including a beautiful Black lesbian marriage played out by two of the best actresses [Aisha Hind and Tracie Thoms] I’ve ever watched. If one other character finding a new facet to his sexuality and realizing his bisexuality is your deal breaker — I fear you’ve missed the entire point of the show. You are not required to announce your departure.”](https://i0.wp.com/qplusmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Oliver-Stark-911_Images_1.png?resize=800%2C452&ssl=1)
It’s unfortunate that some viewers let their prejudices overshadow the show’s message of acceptance and diversity. As Stark rightly pointed out, 9-1-1 is not just about one character’s journey; it’s about showcasing the richness and complexity of human relationships in all their forms.
Despite the noise from detractors, we’re thrilled to see Stark defend Buck’s arc and the show’s commitment to LGBTQ+ representation. If you haven’t caught this pivotal moment yet, we invite you to watch it and join us in celebrating the strides 9-1-1 is making in portraying diverse stories.
9-1-1 airs on Thursdays on ABC at 8:00 ET. Follow us on X and Instagram for all queer stuff!
Featured image: Picture by Chris Willard. Image Courtesy of Disney.
