Mr. Smithers’ Coming Out Was Inspired By “Simpsons” Writer’s Son

‘What better way to tell my son I love him than to write a cartoon about it?’" says writer Rob LaZebnik.
From: NewNowNext

Sunday, on The Simpsons, Mr. Smithers will finally—and officially—come out as gay after 27 years (barely) in the closet.

Rob LaZebnik, a longtime Simpsons scribe, says he was inspired to write the episode by his son, Johnny, who is gay.

“I am a Midwestern guy, so I don’t tend to wear my emotions on my sleeve, but I thought, ’What better way to tell my son I love him than to write a cartoon about it?'” LaZebnik told the New York Post.

Johnny says he appreciates the gesture, but has always known he’s had his dad’s support.

“The revelation that my father loves me is not much of a revelation, thankfully. He’s unbelievably accepting,” says the 21-year-old college student. “We’re as close as a straight dad and a gay son could be.”

Johnny, who had input on the script, says “I was really happy that someone who has experience with a gay person in their immediate family was writing the script.”

It’s not the first time he’s given pointers to his dad, either.

“He once sent me an e-mail, and the header was just ‘How does Grindr work?’ ” Johnny says. “I screenshotted and Instagrammed it and sent it to all my gay friends because it made me laugh so much.”