In April 1993, Lawrence Poirier's coming out generated controversy, with readers opposed to homosexuality threatening to cancel newspaper subscriptions.The Lynn Johnston Interview, Hogan's Alley #1, 1994 Johnston did receive supportive mail on the issue generally from social workers and politicians, who praised her for portraying it with realism and avoiding vulgarity. Opposed readers who believed that a homosexual character was highly inappropriate for a family-oriented strip wrote Johnston many letters. While few letters were vicious, Johnston did say that many who opposed the story arc did so in a poignant manner. Johnston said one that was particularly hurtful was from a longtime fan who said she felt it was against her conscience to continue reading the strip; the woman's letter did not have any foul remarks, but the envelope contained returned yellowed FBoFW strips the fan had kept for a long time on her refrigerator. Over 100 newspapers (including New Hampshire's Union Leader) ran replacement strips during this part of the story or cancelled the comic altogether. – Johnston's web site says that about 40 newspapers ran replacement strips. Much more favourable was the article "Coming Out in the Comic Strips", by David Applegate, editor of the Comic & Fantasy Art Amateur Press Association, which ran in Hogan's Alley No. 1. The following year, Lawrence introduced his boyfriend, giving rise to another, though smaller, uproar.
In April 1993, Lawrence Poirier's coming out generated controversy, with readers opposed to homosexuality threatening to cancel newspaper subscriptions.The Lynn Johnston Interview, Hogan's Alley #1, 1994 Johnston did receive supportive mail on the issue generally from social workers and politicians, who praised her for portraying it with realism and avoiding vulgarity. Opposed readers who believed that a homosexual character was highly inappropriate for a family-oriented strip wrote Johnston many letters. While few letters were vicious, Johnston did say that many who opposed the story arc did so in a poignant manner. Johnston said one that was particularly hurtful was from a longtime fan who said she felt it was against her conscience to continue reading the strip; the woman's letter did not have any foul remarks, but the envelope contained returned yellowed FBoFW strips the fan had kept for a long time on her refrigerator. Over 100 newspapers (including New Hampshire's Union Leader) ran replacement strips during this part of the story or cancelled the comic altogether. – Johnston's web site says that about 40 newspapers ran replacement strips. Much more favourable was the article "Coming Out in the Comic Strips", by David Applegate, editor of the Comic & Fantasy Art Amateur Press Association, which ran in Hogan's Alley No. 1. The following year, Lawrence introduced his boyfriend, giving rise to another, though smaller, uproar