Critically acclaimed actor, Kevin Spacey, has been recently accused of sexually assaulting actor Anthony Rapp. Rapp claimed that Spacey, during a party that took place in 1986, climbed on top of him and attempted to make sexual advances towards him. At the time, Spacey was 26 and Rapp was 14.

During an interview conducted by Buzzfeed, Rapp stated “”He picked me up like a groom picks up the bride over the threshold. But I don’t, like, squirm away initially, because I’m like, ‘What’s going on?’ And then he lays down on top of me.” Rapp then proceeded “I came forward with my story, standing on the shoulders of the many courageous women and men who have been speaking out to shine a light and hopefully make a difference, as they have done for me.” Rapp is referring to the recent sexual allegations made by several women against film producer and former film executive, Harvey Weinstein. The flood of women coming out with allegations encouraged Rapp to do the same.

Spacey, a decorated actor who has won two Academy Awards and one Golden Globe, in response to the allegations, tweeted that he was “beyond horrified to hear the story.” Spacey then proceeded “I honestly do not remember the encounter, it would have been over 30 years ago. But if I did then behave as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior, and I am sorry for the feelings he describes having carried with him all these years.” Afterwards, Spacey surprisingly, and unexpectedly,  announced “As those closest to me know, in my life I have had relationships with both men and women. I have loved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life, and I choose to now live as a gay man. I want to deal with this honestly and that starts with examining my own behavior.”

Spacey’s statements were met with disgust among the media, notably, LGBT advocates. Several LGBT advocates accused Spacey of conflating homosexuality with pedophilia, and accused him of trying to “hide under the rainbow.” In addition Sarah Kate Ellis, president and chief executive officer of GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), stated “Coming out stories should not be used to deflect from allegations of sexual assault.” Comedian Billy Eichner tweeted “Kevin Spacey has just invented something that has never existed before: a bad time to come out.”

Following these allegations and the resulting backlash, Netflix has announced that the Netflix Original, House of Cards, will be canceled and the upcoming sixth season, set to premiere in 2018, will be its last. However, recently, after more sexual allegations against Spacey have come out, Netflix announced that they were cutting ties with Spacey. His character, Frank Underwood, will be scrapped from the show. A spokesperson for Netflix stated  “Netflix will not be involved with any further production of ‘House of Cards’ that includes Kevin Spacey. We will continue to work with [Media Rights Capital] during this hiatus time to evaluate our path forward as it relates to the show.”