Bravo's Below Deck Mediterranean typically focuses on fights and dramatic charter guests, but Lloyd Spencer coming out as sexually fluid to his crewmates in a recent episode changed the narrative to one of togetherness. His crew rallied around him with love and support, soon followed by fans voicing their support online after the episode aired. The tender moment was a dramatic shift in tone from the earlier episodes of the season and a landmark moment in the show's history.
In season 6 of Below Deck Med, a completely new crew fills out the cast. The only returning crew members are Captain Sandy Yawn and bosun Malia White. From the first episodes of the season, it was clear to viewers that the crew had grown a tight bond. This friendship was very meaningful to Lloyd, having come from a toxic environment on the previous boat he worked on. He opened up in a confessional segment about how the captain on that boat repeatedly made homophobic comments towards him. That traumatic experience made him feel as though he had to hide part of himself if he wanted to continue working in the yachting industry.
After the crew returned to the boat following a night out in episode 7, Lloyd opened up to chief stew Katie Flood about his past work experience. In a tearful explanation, Lloyd said, "The first time I showed myself in yachting, I got called a f****t." He added, "Like, I'm 90% straight." Katie comforted him and assured him that no matter how he identified, they all loved him. Malia and the rest of the crew soon after came up to give Lloyd hugs and provide additional support. Lloyd expressed it was one of the few times people in his life have wanted to listen and have a real conversation about sexuality. It was a rare moment for the Bravo series as well. Most crew interactions featured on Below Deck Med are arguments or full-out fights. Lloyd speaking about his identity brought the crew together in a loving display of friendship and acceptance.
The heartwarming moment is one of the few times Below Deck has directly addressed sexuality since the franchise started in 2013. It's not as if sex and relationships aren't a big part of the show's focus. Boatmances are always prominently featured, though they almost exclusively occur – or are shown onscreen – between male and female crew members. During a confessional in episode 7, Malia got upset discussing how Lloyd's experience is reflected in the yachting industry at large. Malia described how "old-school" yachting can be and said the expectation to act a certain way is pretty heavy.
In addition to sexuality, Mzi Dempers also expressed during season 6 that he has faced racial discrimination within the industry. Both experiences resonated deeply with fans, many of whom discussed on Reddit how the moments made them emotional. Lloyd and Mzi speaking their truths and being validated by their crew is a beautiful signal of change within the industry and the series.
Lloyd coming out as sexually fluid will surely remain one of the most wonderful moments of Below Deck Med beyond the current season. Not only did his experience stir a deep connection with his fellow crew members, but it struck a chord with a lot of the show's fans. Beyond being a flashpoint moment for the series, it will hopefully contribute to meaningful change within the yachting industry.
Below Deck Mediterranean airs Mondays at 9 PM ET on Bravo.
Source: Reddit