David Yost, best known for his role as Blue Power Ranger Billy Cranston in the original ‘90s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series, is discussing the show’s evolution when it comes to LGBTQ+ representation. The actor left the show in 1996 due to homophobic harassment and abuse from the production crew. However, Yost is now back for Netflix’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always, a special 30th-anniversary reunion episode alongside other original cast members.
In a beautiful moment of queer representation in the series, viewers are introduced to a gay couple, defended by Minh, the daughter of Yellow Power Ranger Trini. Speaking about the scene, Yost told Entertainment Weekly that it was “awesome” to see. He further explained that it’s so important for people to see representation and that it’s taken a long time to get there.
Yost has been vocal about his negative experiences behind the scenes, including the homophobic abuse he received, which led to him undergoing conversion therapy. Yost has shared that the therapy caused a nervous breakdown, and it took him years to be comfortable and open about himself. Despite this, Yost believes that the original Power Rangers series was ahead of its time in terms of minority representation.
The series featured a diverse cast, including Black actor Zack Taylor and the late Vietnamese actor Thuy Trang, and showed the power of teamwork despite different backgrounds. The Power Rangers franchise has continued to make strides towards inclusion, with a new non-binary villain introduced last year, and Power Rangers Dino Fury featuring a queer Power Ranger in 2021.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always is available to watch on Netflix now, offering fans a nostalgic trip down memory lane while also showcasing the franchise’s progress towards inclusivity.