9-1-1 star Oliver Stark has celebrated Pride Month with a short and simple message that has reminded fans exactly why they love him.
The actor, who plays bisexual first responder Evan ‘Buck’ Buckley on the popular ABC show, has earned a legion of loyal queer fans for his portrayal of the fan-favourite role.
In a video message posted to the 9-1-1 Instagram page on Wednesday (18 June) Stark said: “Hey guys, This is Oliver Stark from ABC’s 9-1-1. I’m very honoured to play a bisexual character on TV. I just wanted to take this chance to say Happy Pride Month”.
In the comments one fan wrote in response, “happy pride month my love.” Another posted: “So wonderful to have bisexuality represented on such a mainstream show.”
Buck has been on a journey since coming out in season seven of the series. From sharing an unexpected kiss with former firefighter and LAFD Air Operations pilot Tommy (Lou Ferrigno Jr.), Buck has explored his new-found identity and also come out to his family and friends.
However, in the comments on Stark’s Pride message many fans expressed a strong desire for Buck to specifically say the word ‘bisexual’.
“My favorite bisexual. Now all we need is for him to acknowledge that in the show,” wrote one fan. “Oliver will take every chance he gets to proudly say Buck is bi even if the show never clearly states it and I love him for it,” said another.
And one fan, who st
ated that they are bisexual, added that Buck’s journey with his sexuality has brought them joy but “it would mean the world if Buck actually said the word [‘bisexual’] out loud on the show… it matters and it needs to happen.”
In GLAAD’s annual Studio Responsibility Index, which monitors LGBTQ+ representation in film (admittedly not TV), 170 LGBTQ+ characters were counted in films released during the 2023 calendar year.
Of those, 15% (25) were bisexual characters with LGBTQ+ characters in general down on the previous year. So, it’s easy to understand the frustration of those, especially bisexuals, wanting more clear representation in screen.
Stark faced accusations of biphobia last year after comments he made about what he’d like to see in Buck’s future after braking up with Tommy.
Stark has also previously blasted homophobic trolls saying that he “truly [doesn’t] care” about their discomfort and that he was “humbled and overwhelmed by the positive reaction to Buck’s storyline”.
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