Talk Ain’t Cheap: Hate Speech Costs General Hospital Big-Time as Fans Deride the Show ‘at Its Lowest Point’

As part of her scheme to undermine Natalia’s budding “friendship” with Sonny, General Hospital had Ava record her rival trying to shrug off her virulent homophobia as simply a case of her being “old-fashioned.” But fans were not having it — especially in June.

“During Pride?” marveled Sean McKinley on X. “That’s a choice.” And not a good one. “Being a homophobe isn’t ‘old-fashioned,’” Dawggirl was quick to point out. “It’s bigoted, intolerant, and discriminatory. During this month, no less.”

A viewer named Amy couldn’t believe what she was seeing and hearing. “General Hospital highlighting this scene instead of being embarrassed by it speaks volumes,” she tweeted. “Then again, what else can be expected from the same writing team that is trying to make people believe that a bum hip turns people into serial killers?”

The low point in Natalia’s dialogue had to be when Natalia referred to the LGBTQ+ community as “whatever alphabet soup they’re calling themselves these days.” Said Foxe Grey: “This is just so offensive.”

Sadly, Natalia’s narrow-minded stance is not uncommon in the real world (see below) — and neither are its consequences. Saying she’s “old-fashioned” rather than “prejudiced” may make her opinions sound quaint. But as Why Bother? noted, “Nat’s current with LGBT+ discrimination and hate increasing since 2016.”

In fact, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, more than 500 proposed anti-LGBTQ+ bills are currently targeting the community for no reason other than that their lives are, as Natalia would put it, “a little too unconventional for [some people’s] liking.”

Whether General Hospital eventually has Natalia realize the error of her ways — and the long-term impact its had on daughter Blaze — the damage is done as far as General Hospital fans are concerned. “This was disgusting,” summed up Stephanie. “And downplaying [Natalia’s homophobia] as ‘old-fashioned’ is excusing it away and allowing it to endure vs. calling it out and squashing it like it deserves. Do better.”

Your move, General Hospital. And while the show is trying to right its wrong, perhaps it could return to the screen its other MIA LGBTQ+ characters: Terry, Brad and Lucas. Hell, we’re still waiting for Selina’s nephew to get pulled into the Mob.