Times have changed. Bunk'd (2015-24), a Disney Channel teencom set in an endless summer camp, is actually a spin-off of Jesse (2011-2015), about an aspiring singer (does the Disney Channel have any other protagonists)? In Episode 6.19 (2023), "No Pain, No Grain," there are gay characters, and a wedding proposal.
There are three plotlines. I'll cover each separately.
Bill's Story: Camp leader Miranda and snooty rich girl Destiny discover that Bill (Alfred Lewis) is exhausted from over-working at ranch chores that, as a paying camper, he's not even required to do. They steal his clothes to force him to come to Mustang Cabin, where they have arranged a day-spa. He balks and leaves: cowboys don't wear bathrobes and put cucumber slices on their eyes.
They try again, but accidentally knock over a bottle of eucalyptus oil. The smell causes everyone to rush out.
Later, they discover that Bill has been doing self-care secretly in the barn. Turns out that he actually likes relaxing: even cowboys can benefit from wellness.
Parker's Story: Miranda tells counselor Parker (Trevor Torjdman, top photo), who has no place to stay, that she has arranged for him to move into Coyote Cabin with fellow counselor Noah (Israel Johnson). He has another idea: the abandoned grain silo instead. Noah is hurt by this snub, but agrees to help with the renovation.
They have various slapstick misadventures, like grain falling on them and a raccoon attacking Parker's box of shoes.
Confronted about the snub, Parker assures Noah that he would love to bunk with him, but Coyote Cabin doesn't need two counselors. So they compromise: they both move into the quickly-renovated silo.
The multi-ringed, super femme fashion plate Noah is apparently straight. There are several actors named Israel Johnson, so I can't tell which if any is gay in real life.
Winnie's Story: Butch, over-energetic Winnie tells Jake (Luke Busey) that she's super-excited because her brother Wayne and his boyfriend are coming for a visit.
When they arrive, regular-femme brother Wayne (Jacob Haren) bonds with Jake. He explains that he's going to propose tonight, but keep it a secret. Because Nicholas is over-exuberant, he needs fireworks. Jake suggests doing it at Dead Skunk Gulch.
More after the break
Book of Mormon actor Jacob Haren is gay in real life, and dating singer Conner Smith.
Meanwhile, super-femme boyfriend Nicholas (Frankie A. Rodriguez) bonds with Winnie. He explains that he's going to propose tonight, but keep it a secret. Because Jake is quiet and subdued, the venue should be somewhere intimate. He's training to be a veterinarian, so maybe one of the ranch animals could carry the ring.
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Frankie A. Rodriguez is gay in real life, and dating Joe Serafini. They met while playing boyfriends on the Disney Channel series High School Musical: The Series.
Still keeping the two proposals a secret, Winnie and Jake convince the guys to meet on the Great Lawn, but ranch animals and fireworks don't mix. Things go haywire, but eventually the two reconcile, propose, and hug. The end.
My Grade: The three plotlines are not thematically linked, and none of the players come together except at the counselor's meeting in Scene 1. Everyone overacts outrageously. C.
Gay Representation: The guys do not interact until the last scene, which I found strange for a couple visiting the camp together. They don't touch each other except for a hug.
They are the only gay characters in the series. So 160+ episodes with no representation.
It's a start.
Bonus: Karan Brar, who starred in the original series and the first few seasons of Bunk'd, later came out as bisexual.
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