Golden Girls Writer Receives Death Threats Over 1990 Gay Marriage Episode

Marc Cherry, writer for the iconic TV series The Golden Girls, revealed that he received death threats after writing a groundbreaking episode in Season 6 titled "Sisters of the Bride," which featured an LGBTQ+ wedding. The episode centered on Blanche's brother Clayton, who is gay and announces he is getting married, a bold storyline at a time when gay marriage was illegal and often only celebrated with non-legally binding ceremonies. Despite Blanche's initial struggle to accept her brother's sexuality, the episode ended with her support for the marriage, but the progressive theme provoked backlash from some viewers, including hateful and antisemitic threats directed at Cherry and his writing partner Jamie Wooten. Following the threats, both writers had to unlist their phone numbers to avoid further harassment. Cherry reflected that while progress in LGBTQ+ representation can come at a cost, it remains a privilege to contribute meaningfully to television storytelling. This episode was among the first of its kind to address gay marriage on television, marking a significant moment in TV history and LGBTQ+ visibility.