Stranger Things’ Shannon Purser comes out as bisexual and addresses queerbaiting accusations


Stranger Things‘ actress Shannon Purser has opened up about her sexuality in a recent Twitter post. The Netflix star, who plays Barb in the popular series Stranger Things, took to… read more
Stranger Things’ Shannon Purser comes out as bisexual and addresses queerbaiting accusations
Stranger Things‘ actress Shannon Purser has opened up about her sexuality in a recent Twitter post.
The Netflix star, who plays Barb in the popular series Stranger Things, took to social media yesterday to share her thoughts with her followers.
She wrote: “I don’t normally do this, but I figure now is as good a time as any to get personal. I’ve only just recently come out as bisexual to my family and friends.
“It’s something I am still processing and trying to understand and I don’t like talking about it too much. I’m very, very new to the LGBT community.”
— Shannon Purser (@shannonpurser) April 19, 2017
Shannon’s post came as a response after she was criticised for writing a tweet about viewers of her U.S. TV show Riverdale who “ship” (support a romantic relationship between) two of the female characters Betty and Veronica.
Followers accused Shannon of “queerbaiting” in her post, which is described on Urban Dictionary as “a public figure bringing up the completely irrelevant detail about a person’s sexuality, true or untrue, as a way of subtly channelling homophobia to attack them.”
Shannon continued: “I have never ever wanted to alienate anyone. It wasn’t a wise or kind thing to say and I’m disappointed in myself, especially as a Christian who has always been taught to speak love to others.
“Thank you to all the people who kindly reached out to me and educated me about the reality (of) your feelings about queerbaiting and I apologise to those who were hurt.”
Shannon’s honesty and sincere apology was met with a wave of support online:
@shannonpurser made a beautiful post about her bisexuality, so proud of her!
— Libbie (@DolefulBabe) April 20, 2017
@shannonpurser Love you, girl. Be your beautiful self. I’m here to stand by you.
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) April 19, 2017
Congratulations to @shannonpurser on coming out as a bisexual Christian! Hope you feel supported and loved. ❤️ https://t.co/kA9jeHQiXB
— Matthew Vines (@VinesMatthew) April 19, 2017
@shannonpurser I know this may not mean much coming from a total stranger, but I’m damn proud of you. It’s a process, and it will grow and change… 1/
— Laura Keeney (@LauraKeeney) April 20, 2017
@shannonpurser Welcome to the club! I’m new too. It’s scary, but I love myself so much more now that I’ve embraced it. We’re all here for you. ❤️🖤💜💙💚💛
— Chrissa Hardy (@chrissahardy) April 19, 2017
@shannonpurser love you honey! always here to support you xoxo
— Melissa Ponzio (@MelissaPonzio1) April 19, 2017
Stranger Things 2 will land October 31 on Netflix.