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John Stamos clapped back at a homophobic Republican congressional candidate, Omar Navarro, who said a gay character in Disney's Cruella "ruined [his] childhood. "
Navarro is challenging incumbent Democrat Maxine Waters to represent the 43rd District of California for the fourth time. Given his three failed attempts to unseat Waters, who is currently in her 15th term in the House, his chances at a congressional victory remain a dismal one.
Over Memorial Day weekend, the GOP politician took to Twitter and grumbled about an original character believed to be gay in the new Cruella de Vil origin story—starring Emma Stone as the titular antagonist based on the animated film, 101 Dalmations.
"The new Disney Cruella with Emma Stone just ruined my childhood with an openly flamboyant gay in the movie," Navarro lamented.
"Disney persist shoving the LGBT agenda down our throat."
Cruella features a flamboyant vintage fashion shop owner named Artie—played by British actor John McCrea—who befriends Cruella and eventually joins her ragtag team of thieves.
Stamos is not in the new Disney movie but is iconically known as the beloved Uncle Jesse from the sitcom, Full House, which originally aired from 1987 to 1995. He later reprised his role for Netflix's Fuller House, which recently ended its five-season run.
The actor was not having the Republican spewing anti-LGBTQ+ lamentations on social media.
So he responded to Navarro's homophobic rant, tweeting:
"If that ruined your childhood, I hope you didn't watch 'Full House'," Three single men, living under one roof, raising kids in San Francisco…"
If that ruined your childhood, I hope you didn\u2019t watch Full House. Three single men, living under one roof raising kids in San Francisco....https://twitter.com/realomarnavarro/status/1399204839247147017\u00a0\u2026— John Stamos (@John Stamos) 1622555112
OMFG - this is the greatest comment ever. While your show may be the greatest serving of cheese ever presented in a sitcom, your willingness to stand up as an ally made me just start a streaming session of Full House. You made my childhood Uncle Jesse crush reflourish.— Jason Gallant (@Jason Gallant) 1622575262
Twitter users joined Stamos in providing other examples that may have further contributed to the demise of Navarro's childhood.
Oh man I hope @RealOmarNavarro never finds out about Bugs Bunny in drag flirting with Elmer Fuddpic.twitter.com/ux3uJAXbD1— Viva Las Bori \u2665\ufe0f\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf7 (@Viva Las Bori \u2665\ufe0f\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf7) 1622582472
Don\u2019t forget \u201cMy 2 Dads\u201dpic.twitter.com/hueaLdzXef— Biden2020-Lou from Cleveland (@Biden2020-Lou from Cleveland) 1622562865
No-one tell Omar about Three Men & a Baby! There's a golden shower right on the cover!pic.twitter.com/KbQA9dbrrN— assileM (@assileM) 1622568971
Can't imagine how @RealOmarNavarro would've handled "Three's Company," since the guy was rooming with two girls in a strictly platonic relationship. Enjoy Pride Month, Omar!!!— Jill Nash (@Jill Nash) 1622565275
Shhhhhh, nobody tell him about this totally platonic business partnershippic.twitter.com/kowxxLr4HJ— gimme your waffle (@gimme your waffle) 1622574580
I bet @RealOmarNavarro will get really sad when he learns the story of Jesus is partially the story of a man who spent the majority of his life in the accompaniment of other men, one of whom betrayed him with a kiss.— TheHandsomeRandall (@TheHandsomeRandall) 1622567035
Twitter did not hold back in their criticism of Navarro's homophobic hot take.
Omg John, where do these people (I am using the term people loosely here) come from? All I have to say to that guy is \u201cyou off the planet\u201d! He\u2019s way to sheltered to be from Earth if something so minor ruined his childhood!— Tjohnson65 (@Tjohnson65) 1622623477
Didn't take much to ruin his childhood did it?— Jimmy Reno (@Jimmy Reno) 1622556181
@JohnStamos, you know the old rule, the biggest homophobics are the gayest. Seems Omar is dealing with some self hate issues. Let\u2019s hope he works it out soon.pic.twitter.com/RwihdWFViP— G\u2019s Bird Flying Free \ud83d\udd4a (@G\u2019s Bird Flying Free \ud83d\udd4a) 1622620023
Looks like the only thing the GOP stands for lately is \u201clook how i hate on liberals, aren\u2019t I great\u201d that\u2019s it...no effective policies, legislative ideas nothing...it\u2019s getting really old.— Lady Fey (@Lady Fey) 1622581503
Omar has never done a deep dive analysis of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.— \u2618\ufe0f Tracy Corrigan \u2618\ufe0f (@\u2618\ufe0f Tracy Corrigan \u2618\ufe0f) 1622555456
The whole \u201cshoving the LGBT agenda down our throat\u201d thing gives their whole game away, doesn\u2019t it? And while we\u2019re at it, do these yahoos all share one collective throat?— Carlos Wollard (@Carlos Wollard) 1622570708
Navarro's criminal record—involving a violation of a restraining order from a former girlfriend—was mentioned.
Omar has done a pretty good job of ruining his own life without any outside help from ancillary and unrelated factors.— Boondoc1978 (@Boondoc1978) 1622563466
The Cruella character Artie's sexuality is merely suggested, as has been the case in recent Disney films like in the live-action Beauty and the Beast and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, to subtly promote inclusivity with minor characters hinting at same-sex attraction.
But McCrea gave his personal assessment about his Cruella character's sexual identity.
"It depends on who you're asking I suppose—but for me, yes, it's official: he's queer. But we don't see him falling in love; there's no social aspect to the character. It's not beating you on the head with a stick."
I don't quite understand what the issue is... Why do we care so much how people lead their lives. You don't have to gree with their life choices but you can still treat them like human beings.— samantha (@samantha) 1622603870
McCrea expressed being delighted in bringing a gay character to life in a Disney film.
"The thought that there might be some kid sitting in the cinema, maybe not even necessarily understanding why or how he identifies with Artie, but just it's a feeling, isn't it?" he told Pride magazine.
The Olivier Award nominee said of his character:
"The thing I admired the most was his philosophy of not being normal. He's trying to live authentically. Be yourself and do what makes you happy, screw everybody else."
"As long as you're not hurting anybody, why shouldn't you be able to live your life in any way you want to?"
Cruella is now playing in theaters and is getting positive reviews among critics and audiences.