The Watersed-down version (GIF via GIPHY) Twenty-five years ago this week, the well-loved “Homer's Phobia” episode of The Simpsons aired.
Incredibly, though it was 25 years ago, it was already eight seasons into the durable series. On the episode, Homer's new pal John (John Waters) turns out to be happily gay.
John is shown as working at a kitschy store in the mall called Cockamamie's, which is absurd to contemplate today — a curio shop in a mall?! — and is presented as a lover of camp.
He is a rare character who seems to understand the absurdity of the Simpsons' world, and to actually appreciate it. Interestingly, Waylon Smithers seems to know John, one of the many hints leading up to him officially coming out in 2016.