when does will come out as gay in stranger things

Will Byers is confirmed as gay in the final season of Stranger Things during a coming‑out scene in the penultimate episode, where he openly tells his family and friends he does not “like girls” and is “different.” This is portrayed as the culmination of a character arc the Duffer Brothers say they had been building toward for about nine years.

When it happens in the show

• Will’s coming‑out moment takes place in the penultimate episode of season 5, just before the group launches their final stand against Vecna.

• In the scene, he avoids using the exact word “gay” but clearly states that he doesn’t like girls and that there is “one thing that’s different” about him, which his loved ones understand as him coming out.

How the scene is written

• The creators have explained that the wording was intentional to make the moment feel unique to Will, focusing on his fear and self‑acceptance rather than on a label.

• They describe the scene as the final step in Will’s journey toward accepting himself, which also ties into the show’s larger theme that embracing one’s true self is key to defeating Vecna.

Reactions and discussion

• The Duffer Brothers have said they were surprised by some of the homophobic backlash to Will’s coming‑out, though they remain proud of the scene and Noah Schnapp’s performance.

• Many fans and commentators see the moment as a long‑anticipated confirmation of subtext that had been present since earlier seasons, especially season 4, where Will’s feelings for Mike were strongly implied.

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