EQ Audit #3: Steven Webb vs. The Homophobic Hecklers
Illustration by Abigail Giuseppe
Steven Webb was in the middle of performing Here You Come Again, a Dolly Parton musical, when some audience members decided to hurl homophobic slurs at him. The show had to be stopped because their hate was so disruptive.
Pause. Let that sink in. Grown adults paid money to see a Dolly Parton show, then had a meltdown over a queer actor. **cue Dorothy Zbornak face**
Let’s run this situation through an EQ Audit.
💥 Did Steven Webb handle this with emotional intelligence, or did he spiral? And how do the hecklers stack up?
RANT: LOW-EQ HOMOPHOBES DOING WHAT THEY DO BEST—BEING LOUD & WRONG & WASTING MY M-F-IN’ TIME!
Homophobia is always irrational, but this? This is next-level absurdity.
Imagine being so insecure, so fragile, so profoundly disconnected from your own emotions that you can’t sit through a Dolly Parton musical without lashing out at a queer character.
These people weren’t just rowdy audience members. They were weaponizing public bigotry. Hate in public spaces serves one goal: to make marginalized people feel unsafe.
Let’s be real: This wasn’t just about Webb. This was about reminding every LGBTQ+ person in that room that they don’t belong. That’s the function of harassment—to send a message, to make people question their safety, and to force them to shrink.
And this is why EQ matters. Because bigotry thrives where emotional ignorance reigns. These hecklers weren’t self-aware, they weren’t in control of their emotions, and they sure as hell weren’t practicing empathy.
So now, let’s flip it—how did Steven Webb respond?
REFRAME: EQ AUDIT OF STEVEN WEBB'S RESPONSE
While the hecklers were giving “low-EQ energy”, Webb was out here demonstrating emotional intelligence in real time.
Let’s run his response through the 8 EQ competencies.
Enhance Emotional Literacy – Did he understand his own emotions?
Score: 10/10
Webb knew exactly what he was feeling—shock, hurt, frustration—but he didn’t let those feelings control him.
EQ Lesson: When you name your emotions, you gain power over them instead of letting them hijack you.
Recognize Patterns – Did he notice his emotional habits?
Score: 10/10
Webb saw that this wasn’t an isolated incident. He recognized that homophobic disruptions were happening across multiple performances. That’s key.
EQ Lesson: Spotting patterns in how you react helps you choose responses instead of just reacting out of habit.
Apply Consequential Thinking – Did he think before responding?
Score: 10/10
He could have yelled back. He could have let his anger take the wheel. Instead, he paused the show and let the venue handle it. That’s emotional control and strategy.
EQ Lesson: Thinking about the impact of your words and actions is the difference between reacting and responding.
Navigate Emotions – Did he manage his response in the moment?
Score: 10/10
Webb held his ground without losing his cool. He stayed professional, but he didn’t minimize what happened.
EQ Lesson: Feeling emotions isn’t the problem. Letting them control you is. Webb stayed in control. The hecklers? Not so much.
Engage Intrinsic Motivation – Was he true to his values?
Score: 10/10
He didn’t shrink himself to make others comfortable. He didn’t brush it off or play nice. He stood firm in who he is.
EQ Lesson: High-EQ people don’t need external approval to know they’re worthy. They root their actions in their values.
Exercise Optimism – Did he see beyond the moment?
Score: 10/10
Instead of letting this break him, he used it as an opportunity to speak out about the broader issue. He didn’t pretend the world was fine—but he also didn’t give in to despair.
EQ Lesson: Optimism isn’t ignoring problems—it’s believing in solutions.
Increase Empathy – Did he acknowledge how this impacts others?
Score: 10/10
Webb wasn’t just thinking about himself. He knew this was bigger than him. He spoke up for every queer person who has ever been made to feel unsafe in a public space.
EQ Lesson: Empathy isn’t just about feeling for others—it’s about showing up for them.
Pursue a Noble Goal – Did his actions align with a greater purpose?
Score: 10/10
Webb didn’t just endure this. He used it. He called it out, named it for what it was, and refused to let it go unchecked.
EQ Lesson: A noble goal anchors you in moments of adversity. When your purpose is bigger than your fear, you show up differently.
FINAL EQ SCORES:
STEVEN WEBB – 10/10
HOMOPHOBIC HECKLERS – NEGATIVE INFINITY.
Steven Webb showed up with emotional intelligence. He:
✔️ Recognized his emotions
✔️ Stayed in control of his response
✔️ Stood firm in his identity
✔️ Used the moment to amplify a bigger conversation
Meanwhile, the hecklers? They let their fear and ignorance control them. They weren’t self-aware. They weren’t thinking about consequences. And they sure as hell weren’t practicing empathy.
🔥 RADIATE: CHOOSE TO BE LIKE STEVEN WEBB. NOT LIKE THE HOMOPHOBES.
💡 If you’ve ever been made to feel unsafe for existing, take notes. You don’t have to shrink yourself to keep others comfortable.
💡 If you see hate happening, don’t sit quietly. Step in. Shut it down. Silence protects no one, but courage changes everything.
💡 And if you’re still out here being fragile about queer people in musical theater—respectfully, get a grip.
Queer people belong in every space.
Hate doesn’t.
And if that makes you uncomfortable? That’s a YOU problem. 🔥