Netflix has faced criticism from viewers after adding an LGBTQ tag to the new Jeffrey Dahmer series, who raged: “This isn’t the portrayal we’re looking for”.
Many called out the streaming platform, which has now removed the tag, saying they were “stunned” and “disgusted” by the choice.
The series follows the notorious Milwaukee serial killer who murdered 17 people between 1978 and 1991 – many of them young, gay African Americans.
Outrage: Netflix was slammed by viewers after adding an LGBTQ+ tag to the new Jeffrey Dahmer series, who raged: ‘This isn’t the portrayal we’re looking for’ (actor Evan Peters on the series)
Many slammed the tag, writing: “Netflix added the Jeffrey Dahmer series to LGBTQ+ tag. I’m speechless.”
Another wrote: They put Jeffrey Dahmer’s new movie under the LGBTQ tag and I’m disgusted. IT’S NOT AN LGBTQ STORY LIKE WTF.”
Someone else said, “This isn’t the representation we’re looking for” after the issue was raised on TikTok.
Evil: The series follows the notorious Milwaukee serial killer (pictured) who murdered 17 people between 1978 and 1991 – many of them young, gay African Americans
Response: Many called out the streaming platform – which has now removed the tag – saying they were “stunned” and “disgusted” by the choice.
Another quipped, “Guys, my favorite LGBTQ series on Netflix is: Rupaul’s Drag Race, Dahmer, and Queer Eye.”
Someone else said, “No way are they putting an LGBTQ tag on the new Dahmer series like PLEASE.”
Not everyone was against the idea, however, as some pointed out that the show was investigating LGBTQ+ injustices at the time.
“You gotta take the bad with the good,” one wrote, while another said, “The Dahmer case is a big part of LGBTQ history, it’s important that people know he got away with so much.”
Not happy: Many lashed out at the tag, writing: “Netflix added the Jeffrey Dahmer series to LGBTQ+ tag. I am shocked’
A third added: “And the Toronto Village killer got away with his crimes for the same reason in the early 2000s, so the issue is still relevant.”
Web has reached out to Netflix for comment.
Actor Evan Peters plays Jeffrey Dahmer in the limited series.
It will retell the story of Dahmer from the perspective of his victims and examine the major mistakes made by the Wisconsin police force in investigating the notorious mass murderer who made national headlines for cannibalism and necrophilia involving his victims.
Crime: Dahmer was found guilty of 16 counts of murder in 1992 and sentenced to 16 life sentences. He was beaten to death by another inmate at Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage, Wisconsin, in November 1994
The show also features actors Niecy Nash, Penelope Ann Miller, Shaun J. Brown, Colin Ford and Richard Jenkins, and directors Paris Barclay, Carl Franklin and Janet Mock.
Miller and Jenkins will play the roles of Dahmer’s parents, while Nash will portray Dahmer’s neighbor Glenda Cleveland, who unsuccessfully tried to report his bizarre behavior to authorities.
Peters has worked with Murphy on a number of projects in the past, including nine out of ten seasons of American Horror Story and the series Pose.
Peters told Variety in April about the arduous task he took on to research Dahmer in depth for the role.
“I’ve read so much, I’ve seen so much, I’ve seen so much, and at some point you have to say, ‘Okay, that’s enough,'” he said. “There are beautifully written screenplays. You can have as much backstory as you want, but at the end of the day, we’re not making a documentary.
“It’s more about keeping the idea and the consistent line of why you’re telling the story and always having that as your mission statement.”
Dahmer was found guilty in 1992 of 16 murders on which he was charged and was sentenced to 16 life sentences.
He was beaten to death with a metal bar in November 1994 by Christopher Scarver, another inmate at Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage, Wisconsin.
The gruesome story of Dahmer was told in the 2002 film Dahmer, in which Jeremy Renner played the title role; and 2017’s My Friend Dahmer, in which Ross Lynch played a teenage version of the aspiring serial killer.
Murphy excelled in chronicling true crime fiction of the 1990s, with previous American Crime Story projects including 2018’s The Assassination of Gianni Versace and 2016’s The People Vs. OJ Simpson.
Career: Peters has worked with Murphy on a number of projects in the past, including nine out of ten seasons of American Horror Story and the series Pose. He was photographed in LA in March