Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
New 'It' Film Portrays Painful True Chapter of LGBT History
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 6 years ago on
September 4, 2019

Share

BANGOR, Maine — Moviegoers from Maine who watch the film “It: Chapter Two” this weekend might recognize a scene that draws on a painful event from the state’s history.

“At the time I started writing ‘It,’ the Howard murder had just happened. It was fresh in my mind and fitted my idea of Derry as a place where terrible things happened. And, maybe needless to say, I was outraged. It was a hate crime.” — Stephen King
The scene involves a gay character named Adrian Mellon being attacked by teenagers and his subsequent encounter with Pennywise the Clown. The scene is based on real-life Bangor resident Charlie Howard, who was attacked and thrown off the city’s State Street Bridge in 1984.
Stephen King tells the Bangor Daily News that the killing still had currency when he was writing the book on which the movie is based.
“At the time I started writing ‘It,’ the Howard murder had just happened. It was fresh in my mind and fitted my idea of Derry as a place where terrible things happened,” King said. “And, maybe needless to say, I was outraged. It was a hate crime.”

The 30th Anniversary of Howard’s Killing

In the book, Mellon, like Howard, is in his 20s and was walking home with a male friend when he encountered homophobic teenagers. The scenes play out in a similar fashion, except the book and movie feature an appearance by the garish clown who lives in the sewer.
The scene is not included in the 1990 TV miniseries, but that changes with “It: Chapter Two,” with the character of Mellon being portrayed by Xavier Dolan.
King said in 2014 on the 30th anniversary of Howard’s killing that the Bangor community doesn’t bear responsibility for the crime.
“But it’s our town. We live here,” he said. “Which means we have to live with Charlie, and continue trying to make it right.”

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Madera County Wildfire Prompts Evacuation Warnings, Road Closures

DON'T MISS

Sanger Police Seek Public’s Help to Find Missing Teen

DON'T MISS

Trump Says Everyone Should Immediately Evacuate Tehran

DON'T MISS

Inside Trump’s Extraordinary Turnaround on Immigration Raids

DON'T MISS

Trump Approval Steady at 42%, Support Weakens for His Immigration Policy, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

DON'T MISS

Person Rescued from Fresno Canal, Third Incident in Recent Days

DON'T MISS

Arias Dodges Questions About His False Fresno ICE Raid Claim

DON'T MISS

Iranian State TV Halts Live Broadcast After Israeli Strike

DON'T MISS

Global Markets Recover on Iran Ceasefire Reports, Central Banks in Focus

DON'T MISS

Madera Man Sentenced to Over 21 Years for Fentanyl, Meth Trafficking

UP NEXT

Five Weeknight Dishes: Seven Ingredients or Fewer, Because Summer

UP NEXT

The Best Songs of 2025, So Far

UP NEXT

A Starter Pack for Aspiring Wine Lovers

UP NEXT

Ye Makes Surprise Appearance at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial

UP NEXT

Judge in Harvey Weinstein Trial Declares Mistrial on Rape Charge

UP NEXT

Brian Wilson, Summer’s Poet Laureate of the Beach Boys, Dies at 82

UP NEXT

World’s Most Popular TikTok Star Khaby Lame Leaves the US After Being Detained by ICE

UP NEXT

Sly Stone, Maestro of a Multifaceted, Hitmaking Band, Dies at 82

UP NEXT

Did That Clint Eastwood Interview Happen? Yes, Kind Of.

UP NEXT

‘Lilo & Stitch’ Passes ‘Sinners’ to Become 2nd Highest Grossing Film of 2025

Inside Trump’s Extraordinary Turnaround on Immigration Raids

15 hours ago

Trump Approval Steady at 42%, Support Weakens for His Immigration Policy, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

16 hours ago

Person Rescued from Fresno Canal, Third Incident in Recent Days

16 hours ago

Arias Dodges Questions About His False Fresno ICE Raid Claim

16 hours ago

Iranian State TV Halts Live Broadcast After Israeli Strike

18 hours ago

Global Markets Recover on Iran Ceasefire Reports, Central Banks in Focus

18 hours ago

Madera Man Sentenced to Over 21 Years for Fentanyl, Meth Trafficking

18 hours ago

Touring a Tunnel That Leads Underneath a Hospital in Southern Gaza

18 hours ago

Suspect in Minnesota Lawmaker Killing Visited Other Legislators’ Homes, Prosecutors Say

18 hours ago

Spyware From US-Backed Israeli Firm Targeted European Journalists, Report Finds

19 hours ago

Madera County Wildfire Prompts Evacuation Warnings, Road Closures

A wildfire burning near Raymond Road and Avenue 16 in Madera County has prompted evacuation warnings and road closures, authorities said Mon...

14 hours ago

A wildfire near Raymond Road and Avenue 16 in Madera County has prompted evacuation warnings and road closures as officials urge residents to prepare to leave if threatened on Monday, June 16, 2025. (Madera County SO)
14 hours ago

Madera County Wildfire Prompts Evacuation Warnings, Road Closures

Sanger police are searching for Kaylani Thompson, 17, who went missing Saturday, June 14, 2025, after leaving her home and was last seen getting into a white sedan. (Sanger PD)
14 hours ago

Sanger Police Seek Public’s Help to Find Missing Teen

A view of the cityscape in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 16, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
14 hours ago

Trump Says Everyone Should Immediately Evacuate Tehran

15 hours ago

Inside Trump’s Extraordinary Turnaround on Immigration Raids

President Donald Trump speaks at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 12, 2025. (Reuters File)
16 hours ago

Trump Approval Steady at 42%, Support Weakens for His Immigration Policy, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

A person was rescued from a Fresno canal Monday, June 16, 2025, near Dakota and Ninth Street, marking the third such incident in recent days, officials said. (Fresno FD)
16 hours ago

Person Rescued from Fresno Canal, Third Incident in Recent Days

16 hours ago

Arias Dodges Questions About His False Fresno ICE Raid Claim

18 hours ago

Iranian State TV Halts Live Broadcast After Israeli Strike

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend