The new Disney+ reboot of Malcolm in the Middle aired last week. A major change now causes controversy among original series fans. Stevie Kenarban, Malcolm's friend, is now gay and lives with a man. Together they adopted a son.

Actor Craig Lamar Traylor returns in the role of Stevie. In the original, this character was heterosexual. The reboot shows how the old cast's life looks now. Many people applauded this update. But online, some critics loudly complain this is 'woke nonsense'.

We know these reactions well by now. Whenever an existing character becomes gay, lesbian or transgender, controversy arises. Meanwhile, many viewers say such development is not strange. Many people change their sexual identity or relationships in life.

The reboot focuses on adults who were children in the original series. It would be strange if all characters remained heterosexual. A relationship between men in a reboot is not more unusual than divorce or job change.

How the series will develop will soon become clear. The online debate, however, points to something bigger. If adding gay characters still provokes so much anger, we clearly have work to do.