Marvel Studios responded to an accusation from X-Men ’97 showrunner Beau DeMayo that he was fired for a gay pride Instagram post.
Beau DeMayo via Cool YouTube Guy YouTube
It was reported in the middle of March by The Hollywood Reporter that DeMayo was fired and he “will no longer be promoting the show or moving forward with future seasons.”
The report details that DeMayo’s company email was shut down at the beginning of March and cast and crew for the series were notified he would no longer be working on the project. DeMayo also shut down his Instagram account.
The firing comes after DeMayo had reportedly completed writing a second season and was preparing a third season.
(L-R): Bishop (voiced by Isaac Robinson-Smith), Cyclops (voiced by Ray Chase), Magneto (voiced by Matthew Waterson), and Morph (voiced by JP Karliak) in Marvel Animation’s X-MEN ’97. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL.
READ: Marvel Animation’s Brad Winderbaum Rejects Claim ‘X-Men ’97’ Showrunner Beau DeMayo Was Fired
However, Marvel Animation’s Brad Winderbaum rejected these claims telling Entertainment Weekly, “I can’t talk about the details, but I can say that Beau had real respect and passion for these characters and wrote what I think are excellent scripts that really the rest of the team were able to draw inspiration from [to] build this amazing show that’s on screen.”
He then specifically rejected the claim that DeMayo was fired. When asked if he would describe DeMayo’s departure as a firing, Winderbaum responded, “I don’t. ‘We parted ways’ is the best way I could say.”
(L-R): Wolverine (voiced by Cal Dodd), Morph (voiced by JP Karliak), Bishop (voiced by Isaac Robinson-Smith), Cyclops (voiced by Ray Chase), Val Cooper (voiced by Catherine Disher), Gambit (voiced by AJ LoCascio), Rogue (voiced by Lenore Zann), and Storm (voiced by Alison Sealy-Smith) in Marvel Animation’s X-MEN ’97. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL.
DeMayo recently posted on X that he was indeed fired and claimed he was fired over a gay pride post to Instagram depicting himself as a member of the X-Men.
DeMayo wrote, “Firstly, I’m so grateful to have worked on X-Men ’97, collaborating with some amazingly talented folks. Creating this revival was a dream come true and the support fans have shown is so touching. However, I felt it pressing for me to speak up in the wake of leaving the show…”
Beau DeMayo on X
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He continued, “Above is X-Men fan-art I posted on Instagram for Gay Pride in June. On June 13, Marvel sent a letter notifying me that they’d stripped my Season 2 credits due to the post. Sadly, this is the latest in a troubling pattern I suffered through while on working on X-Men ’97 and Blade.”
“I’ll have more to say soon but must take a step back from social media to find a safer space for me to be out, proud, and nerdy. Stay tuned,” he concluded.
Beau DeMayo on X
Marvel Studios responded to this accusation from DeMayo telling Variety, “Mr. DeMayo was terminated in March 2024 following an internal investigation. Given the egregious nature of the findings, we severed ties with him immediately and he has no further affiliation with Marvel.”
Furthermore, Variety’s Adam B. Vary and Katcy Stephan shared, “A source with knowledge of the investigation said evidence was discovered of sexual misconduct, and that DeMayo repeatedly violated his termination agreement, which led to the removal of his credits for Season 2.”
(L-R): Beast (voiced by George Buza), Rogue (voiced by Lenore Zann), Morph (voiced by JP Karliak), Cyclops (voiced by Ray Chase), Wolverine (voiced by Cal Dodd), Gambit (voiced by AJ LoCascio), and Bishop (voiced by Isaac Robinson-Smith) in Marvel Animation’s X-MEN ’97. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL.
Despite claiming he was taking a step back from social media, DeMayo responded to this report writing on X, “‘The truth will be revealed. After their Disney Plus disaster, Marvel wants to mislead with alleged contract breaches over tweets. It’s tragic it’s come to this but unsurprising. Stay tuned.’”
Beau DeMayo on X
He also added in another post, “This is their Disney-Marvel’s usual playbook. Legal letters as well as other items to prove their long-standing pattern to follow . It’s about finding a safe outlet. Thanks for your faith and patience.”
Beau DeMayo on X
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It’s hard to believe that DeMayo was stripped from X-Men ’97 Season 2 duties and fired from the show over posting a gay pride post on Instagram. Marvel regularly posts their own posts to X about pride.
As an example the company promoted its Marvel Voices: Pride comic book at the end of May.
As Mystique and Destiny renew their marriage vows, prepare for drama, secrets, and surprises! Celebrate #MarvelComics’ first woman-to-woman wedding in this year’s ‘Marvel’s Voices: Pride’ one-shot ‘X-Men: The Wedding Special’ #1 on sale now. pic.twitter.com/UcAcqLMCCz
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) May 29, 2024
Furthermore, The Walt Disney Company puts on pride parades in its theme parks. Disneyland Resort’s Public Relations Director Kelsey Lynch announced on the Disney Parks website that Disneyland was going to host a Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite on June 18 and 20th.
Lynch wrote on the website, “Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite returns to the Disneyland Resort for its second year with colorful celebrations, joyful photo opportunities, event merchandise, fabulous food and divine drinks.”
She added, “Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community, bringing allies and community members together as Disneyland park is illuminated with rainbow projections.”
Disneyland Pride Nite via Patrick Dougall YouTube
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The Disney company also employs men dressed as a woman who have been photographed giving children haircuts at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
A park guest informed That Park Place, “I’m glad I was wandering the park with my son when this happened, but my niece did get her hair done by a man named Hector wearing a dress at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (I have pictures to prove it). We also have another picture of a male cast member in an Alice in Wonderland costume.”
A Disneyland cast member does hair and makeup for a young female guest.
What do you make of DeMayo’s claim and Marvel’s response?
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