UK soap opera's gay footballer storyle hailed by LGBT+ groups

Contents:

• 10 GAY, BISEXUAL & QUEER SOAP OPERA STARS WHO ARE OUT — & OUTSTANDG
• UK SOAP OPERA'S GAY FOOTBALLER STORYLE HAILED BY LGBT+ GROUPS
• UK SOAP OPERA'S GAY FOOTBALLER STORYLE HAILED BY LGBT+ GROUPS
• GAY STORYL ON BRISH TELEVISN FAR AHEAD OF THE {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY KATE ANRSONNOVEMBER 18, 2007/11:26 PMBY KATE ANRSONNOVEMBER 18, 2007 / 11:26 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"GAY STORYL ON BRISH TELEVISN FAR AHEAD OF THE U.S.","DATEPUBLISHED":"2007-11-19T04:26:15.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2007-11-19T04:26:15.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"KATE ANRSON","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE AMERIN DAYTIME TV DIENC HAVE BEEN AVIDLY FOLLOWG THE GROUND-BREAKG ROMANCE BETWEEN GAY TEENAGERS LE SNYR (VAN HANSIS) AND NOAH MAYER (JAKE SILBERMANN) ON AS THE WORLD TURNS, AND NIGHT TIME DIENC HAVE CHEERED THE OUT KEV WALKER’S (MATTHEW RHYS) RELATNSHIPS ON BROTHERS & SISTERS, ACROSS THE POND BRISH SOAP FANS HAVE BEEN FOLLOWG THEIR OWN GAY STORYL FOR MUCH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}US TELEVISN HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHG QUE LIKE THE FAN REACTN LE AND NOAH’S TEENAGE ROMANCE HAS PRODUCED ON ATWT, THE FIRST AMERIN SOAP OPERA TO PICT A FULLY REALIZED ROMANTIC GAY MALE UPLG AS AN TEGRAL PART OF THE SHOW. IN THE UK, HOWEVER, GAY STORYL SOAP OPERAS ARE NOTHG NEW. IN FACT, OM EASTENRS TO EMMERDALE, GAY CHARACTERS HAVE BEEN A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF UK SOAPS FOR THE LAST TWO S. (UNLIKE US DAYTIME DRAMAS LIKE ATWT, THE MAJORY OF BRISH SOAPS ARE BROADST AT NIGHT.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR GAY STORYL OF LATE HAS BEEN ON HOLLYOAKS WHICH DIFFERS OM S PETN BOTH THE TIME IS BROADST AND, UNTIL RECENTLY, S GAY NTENT. THE SHOW HAS NEVER BEEN SHY WHEN TO NTROVERSIAL STORYL, WHICH IS PARTICULARLY NOTEWORTHY SCE AIRS WELL BEFORE THE 9:00PM WATERSHED (THE CUT-OFF POT FOR UK PROGRAMS TEND FOR FAY VIEWG) AND REACH A YOUNGER DIENCE THAN DO OTHER SOAPS. HOWEVER, THE SHOW HAS HAD A POOR RERD WHEN TO GAY STORYL. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THANKFULLY, THE AWARD-WNG UK TEEN DRAMA EARLIER THIS YEAR TRODUCED A STORYLE THAT SAW JOHN PL MCQUEEN (JAM SUTTON) E OUT AS GAY, AND ALSO HAD HIM FALL LOVE WH HIS BT IEND CRAIG DEAN (GUY BUR). THE PROGRAM IS NOW UNDOUBTEDLY THE CRèME LA CRèME THE UK WHEN TO SHOWSG GAY PLOTL. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NOT ONLY DID THE LONG-NNG STORYLE PROVE TO BE ONE OF THE SHOW’S MOST POPULAR, BUT ALSO GAED SOMETHG OF A CULT FOLLOWG AMONGST FANS OF THE SHOW, BOTH GAY AND STRAIGHT. SO POPULAR WAS THE STORYLE THAT JAM SUTTON RECEIVED A NOMATN FOR BRA’S NATNAL TELEVISN AWARDS (PARABLE TO AMERI’S PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS) AS MOST POPULAR ACTOR, THOUGH HE ULTIMATELY DID NOT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALTHOUGH THE CHARACTER OF JOHN PL DIDN’T MAKE HIS BUT THE SOAP UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2006, CRAIG WAS A LONG-TABLISHED AND POPULAR CHARACTER. WHILE HAS SCE BEEN NFIRMED THAT JOHN PL WAS NCEIVED AS GAY RIGHT OM THE GET GO, CRAIG, BY AND LARGE, HAD ALWAYS BEEN PORTRAYED AS STRAIGHT. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOWEVER, THE DYNAMICS OF THEIR IENDSHIP CHANGED DRAMATILLY BACK JANUARY, WHEN THE “I LOVE YOU” EPISO AIRED. IT WAS THE MOMENT WHEN A DISTRGHT, TEARFUL JOHN PL ME OUT AND CLARED HIS FEELGS FOR HIS BT MATE, CRAIG. IT WAS HEARTRENDG, EMOTNAL AND BETIFULLY EXECUTED. QUE SIMPLY, WAS ONE OF THE FT G OUT SCEN BRISH TELEVISN HISTORY – NEVER MD A BRISH SOAP. AND AFTER A HIGHLY CHARGED WEEK OF NIED FEELGS, THE PAIR FALLY SHARED THEIR FIRST {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TH BEGAN A SEVEN-MONTH ROLLER ASTER RI THAT SAW HOLLYOAKS GOG GAY A VERY BIG WAY. VIEWERS QUICKLY STOPPED RG WHETHER THE MCQUEEN SISTERS GOT HCHED OR WHETHER WARREN WENT DOWN FOR ATTEMPTED MURR. IT WAS THE ROMANTIC LIAISONS BETWEEN MCDEAN, AS THE LOVERS WERE NAMED, THAT PROVED TO BE MT-SEE TV. AND OM THEIR FIRST KISS FEBARY TO THEIR FIRST SEXUAL ENUNTER MAY, VIEWERS WERE HOOKED. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LIKE MOST TEENAGE RELATNSHIPS – NEVER MD GAY ON – WAS FULL OF ANGST AND NFN. TORN BY HIS RECENTLY AWAKENED SEXUAL FEELGS FOR HIS GAY BT IEND, CRAIG FACED A SER DILEMMA. STICK WH HIS GEO AND LOYAL GIRLIEND SARAH OR LET HIS LT FOR BT MATE JOHN PL GET THE BETTER OF HIM. WHEN WRERS THREW A BOYIEND FOR JOHN PL (SPIKE) AS WELL AS HIS BOTTED EX (HANNAH) TO THE MIX, THGS GREW EVEN MORE PLITED AND TENSE. VIEWERS WERE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALAS, ALL GOOD THGS MT E TO AN END, AND THE TTH FALLY ME OUT AFTER A SHOCKED SARAH DISVERED CRAIG AND JOHN PL KISSG DURG HER AND CRAIG’S ENGAGEMENT PARTY. FORCED TO NONT HIS FEELGS, CRAIG FALLY FOUND THE STRENGTH TO E CLEAN AND HE AND JOHN PL CID TO MAKE A H START IRELAND. BUT SADLY THEY, AND WE, DIDN’T QUE GET THAT HAPPILY-EVER-AFTER ENDG. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN WHAT IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE SHOW’S MOST HEARTBREAKG SCEN, JOHN PL ME TO THE NCLN THAT HE NEED MORE OM THE RELATNSHIP THAN CRAIG WAS ABLE TO GIVE HIM. IN SHORT, HE NEED A BOYIEND WHO WAS AS FORTABLE HIS OWN SK AS HE WAS. AND SO, THE PAIR WENT THEIR SEPARATE WAYS: JOHN PL WENT BACK TO CHTER AND CRAIG SET OFF FOR A NEW LIFE DUBL. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS WH THE CURRENT NE STORYLE THAT’S BEEN UNFOLDG ON THE TRADNALLY FAY ORIENTED AS THE WORLD TURNS, WHAT MA JOHN PL AND CRAIG’S RELATNSHIP SO ENARG WAS S RPECTFUL TREATMENT AND TELLIGENT EXECUTN. THEIR ROMANCE WAS NATURAL AND REALISTIC AND TREATED THE SAME, NO WORSE, AND NO BETTER, THAN ANY OTHER HETEROSEXUAL RELATNSHIP. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}UNLIKE AMERIN TELEVISN ON WHICH THE NUMBER OF GAY CHARACTERS HAS STEADILY SHNK RECENT YEARS, THERE’S FAR MORE TO GAY CHARACTERS ON BRISH SOAPS THAN JT WHAT N BE SEEN ON HOLLYOAKS. IN 1985, ALMOST A BEFORE HOLLYOAKS EVEN EXISTED, A BRISH SOAP OPERA FIRST, CHANNEL 4’S HUGELY POPULAR GROUNDBREAKG SOAP BROOKSI BEME THE FIRST BRISH SOAP TO HAVE AN OUT AND PROUD GAY CHARACTER THE YOUNG, WELL SPOKEN, MIDDLE CLASS GORDON COLLS (MARK BURGS). {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BROOKSI BEGAN LIFE 1982 AND MA A NAME FOR SELF BY TACKLG SOCIAL AND POLIL PROBLEMS APPARENT 1980S BRA. IT WAS SENSATNAL AND BOLD AND ENJOYED BEG NTROVERSIAL. AND WHAT ULD BE MORE SENSATNAL, BOLD AND NTROVERSIAL THAN HAVG ONE OF THE SOAP’S WELL-KNOWN AND TABLISHED CHARACTERS E OUT AS GAY. PARTICULARLY DURG A TIME WHEN THE PASSG OF SECTN 28, A NTROVERSIAL AMENDMENT TO THE UK’S LOL GOVERNMENT ACT OF 1986, WHICH PERTAED TO THE PROMOTN OF HOMOSEXUALY, WASN’T FAR OFF AND AIDS S WERE ON THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FAR LS NTROVERSIAL THAN BROOKSI, EMMERDALE HAS ALSO HAD MORE THAN S FAIR SHARE OF GAY CHARACTERS. IN 1999, THE FIRST GAY MALE CHARACTER THE SHOW, JASON KIRK (JAM CARLTON) ED A RIGHT OLD STIR WHEN HE WAS UGHT SNOGGG BISEXUAL GAV FERRIS (ROBERT BECK), PARTICULARLY SCE HE JT SO HAPPENED TO BE BARMAID BERNICE’S FIANCé. FAST-FORWARD EIGHT YEARS AND EMMERDALE’S REPRENTATN AND PORTRAYAL OF GAY CHARACTERS IS FAR MORE POSIVE, WH THE SOAP CURRENTLY GEARG UP FOR S FIRST EVER GAY WEDDG. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CURRENT EMMERDALE RINTS PL LAMBERT (MATHEW BOSE) AND JONNY FOSTER (RICHARD GRIEVE) ARE BOTH CERTALY EASY ON THE EY, BUT SPE OF THEIR GOOD LOOKS, THE UPLE FAIL TO CHANNEL ANYTHG CLOSE TO THE CHEMISTRY AND PASSN JOHN PL AND CRAIG DID. HOWEVER, EMMERDALE IS SET TO FEATURE THE FIRST EVER GAY WEDDG ON A PRIME TIME {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALTHOUGH AS VIEWERS WELL KNOW, SOAP OPERA WEDDGS RARELY GO ACRDG TO PLAN. PL AND JONNY’S WAS NO EXCEPTN. IN A MOVE THAT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY E A HUGE BACKLASH AMONGST EMMERDALE FANS AND THE GAY MUNY ALIKE, THE FOUNDATNS OF PL AND JONNY’S RELATNSHIP WERE ROCKED TO THE RE WHEN PL GOT LD FEET ABOUT THEIR UPG NUPTIALS AND CHEATED ON HIS FIANCé. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE SLEAZE AND SENSATNALISM LOOKS TO BE THE ORR OF THE DAY FOR EMMERDALE, EASTENRS, ANOTHER LONG-NNG BRISH SOAP, HAS ED VAR HOMOSEXUAL CHARACTERS TO HIGHLIGHT GAY ISSU SCE THE EARLY 1980S. ALTHOUGH THE SHOW RECENTLY ANNOUNCED A GAY CHARACTER WOULD BE ADD TO THE ST, THERE HASN’T BEEN A GAY MALE CHARACTER FICTNAL WALFORD SCE DEREK HARKSON (IAN LAVENR) LEFT THE SOAP 2005. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 1987 THE SHOW ED HUGE NTROVERSY WHEN SCREENED THE FIRST EVER GAY KISS A UK SOAP. THE LIP-LOCK TOOK PLACE BETWEEN WALFORD’S FIRST HOMOSEXUAL RINT COL RSELL (OPENLY GAY ACTOR AND ACTIVIST MICHAEL CASHMAN) AND HIS YOUNGER BOYIEND, BARRY CLARK (GARY HAIL). ON A PRIME TIME, PRE-WATERSHED PROGRAM, THE PORTRAYAL OF AN OPENLY GAY MAN — LET ALONE ONE A HOMOSEXUAL RELATNSHIP — WAS UNHEARD OF BEFORE COL AND BARRY'S TRODUCTN. TO SAY THEIR KISS, NOTHG MORE THAN A CHASTE PECK ON THE FOREHEAD, DIDN’T GO DOWN WELL THE MEDIA AND WH THE VIEWG PUBLIC WOULD BE AN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VIEWERS BRAND THE PROGRAM “FILTH” AND DUBBED “EASTBENRS.” THERE WERE EVEN QUTNS PARLIAMENT ABOUT WHETHER WAS APPROPRIATE TO HAVE GAY MEN A FAY SHOW WHEN AIDS WAS SUPPOSEDLY SWEEPG THE UNTRY. HOWEVER, REGARDLS OF THE IAL NEGATIVY, THE CHARACTERS HAD A POWERFUL IMPACT ON PUBLIC ATTUS, AND THE SHOW'S HANDLG OF COL AND BARRY'S RELATNSHIP WAS EMED BY MANY GAY ACTIVISTS AS SOMETHG OF A BREAKTHROUGH. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE SHOW BUILT ON THAT BREAKTHROUGH TWO YEARS LATER WHEN COL AND HIS NEW BOYIEND, GUIDO SMH (NICHOLAS DONOVAN), ENGAGED THE FIRST FULL MOUTH GAY SOAP KISS. THEIR LOCKG OF LIPS LED SOME MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT TO LL FOR THE SHOW TO BE BANNED, AND THE SUN NEWSPAPER EVEN WENT SO FAR AS TO SCRIBE THE PARATIVELY TAME KISS, WHICH CINTALLY, WAS WATCHED BY SOME TWENTY LN PEOPLE, AS "A HOMOSEXUAL LOVE SCENE BETWEEN YUPPIE POOFS... WHEN LNS OF CHILDREN WERE WATCHG." {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SEVEN YEARS LATER EASTENRS AGA URTED NTROVERSY, THIS TIME WH A “CENSORED” KISS BETWEEN TONY HILLS (MARK HOMER) AND SIMON RAYMOND (ANDREW LYNFORD). THE BBC CUT THE KISS BY A UPLE OF SENDS, SO AS NOT TO "STARTLE" VIEWERS. THE KISS, SHOWN MORE THAN AN HOUR BEFORE THE 9:00PM FAY VIEWG CURFEW, HAD BEEN CUT OM AN ORIGAL TWO SENDS TO A MERE HALF-SEND. EQUALLY FURIATG WAS THE STORYLE, WHICH SAW BISEXUAL TONY BREAK OFF HIS RELATNSHIP WH HIS PREGNANT GIRLIEND TIFFANY TO GET TOGETHER WH SIMON, WHO JT SO HAPPENED TO BE HIS EX-GIRLIEND’S BROTHER. ALTHOUGH THE END, THE UPLE DID GET SOMETHG OF A HAPPY-EVER-AFTER ENDG, WH TONY G TO TERMS WH HIS SEXUALY AND THE PAIR HEADG OFF TO TRAVEL AROUND EUROPE TOGETHER. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}UNTIL THE NEW GAY CHARACTER JOS EASTENRS ANY ACTN OF THE GAY KD ON THE SHOW SEEMS ABOUT AS LIKELY AS MATRIARCHAL CHARACTER DOT BRANNG, THE SOAP’S MUCH LOVED, RELIG BYBODY RENOUNCG GOD. BUT ON RIVAL SOAP CORONATN STREET, ’S A TOTALLY DIFFERENT STORY. FIRST, THERE IS BARMAN SEAN TULLEY (ANTONY COTTON). AND NOW, THANKS TO THE RETURN OF POPULAR AND PIVOTAL GAY CHARACTER TODD GRIMSHAW (BNO LANGLEY) THE SHOW CURRENTLY FEATUR NOT ONE, BUT TWO GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TODD WAS CORONATN STREET’S FIRST ACKNOWLEDGED GAY CHARACTER. AFTER YEARS OF CRICISM ABOUT NON-REPRENTATN A SOAP THAT HAD A MASSIVE GAY FAN BASE, VIEWERS SAW TODD SLOWLY BEG TO QUTN HIS SEXUALY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE CHARACTER’S NFN OVER HIS SEXUALY ME TO A HEAD A STORYLE THAT SAW HIM KISS HIS GIRLIEND SARAH’S BROTHER, NICK (ADAM RICKT). IT WAS THE VETERAN SOAP’S FIRST GAY KISS S 43-YEAR HISTORY AND ALTHOUGH THE EPISO RECEIVED A FEW PLATS OM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC UPSET AT PRE-WATERSHED GAY SCEN (A MERE 21 PLATS FOR THE EPISO WERE RECEIVED BY THE INPENNT TELEVISN COMMISSN TOTAL), WAS NOTHG PARED TO THE RERD NUMBER OF PLATS FOR THAT FAMO EASTENRS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT SEEMS THAT EVEN THE 21ST CENTURY, GAY CHARACTERS ON TELEVISN – PARTICULARLY ON FAY-ORIENTED SOAPS – ARE ALWAYS GOG TO URT A CERTA AMOUNT OF NTROVERSY. BUT TIM ARE FELY CHANGG. AFTER ALL, CRAIG AND JOHN PL’S LT-FILLED RELATNSHIP ON HOLLYOAKS FEATURED FAR MORE THAN A QUICK BSH OF LIPS AND THAT DID NOTHG TO HURT THEIR POPULARY. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PUT SIMPLY, 2007, THE VISIBILY OF GAY CHARACTERS UK SOAPS HAS NEVER BEEN HEALTHIER. THE DAYS A SAME-SEX KISS ON A POPULAR SOAP OPERA DON’T END UP BEG FODR FOR THE TABLOIDS THE WAY EASTENRS WAS THE EIGHTI AND NETI. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT’S LARGELY THANKS TO THE LIK OF PROMENT AND POPULAR GAY SOAP CHARACTERS WHO PAVED THE WAY, SUCH AS GORDON COLLS, COL RSELL, BARRY CLARK, SIMON RAYMOND AND TONY HILLS; AND THOSE BUILDG ON THEIR LEGACY CLUDG TODD GRIMSHAW, SEAN TULLY AND JOHN PL MCQUEEN. HOPEFULLY ONE DAY SOON AMERIN VIEWERS WILL HAVE A SIAR LIST OF WELL-VELOPED GAY CHARACTERS TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

10 GAY, BISEXUAL & QUEER SOAP OPERA STARS WHO ARE OUT — & OUTSTANDG

Whether be the first gay kiss broadst on mastream televisn, the troductn of PoC gay rol, or the stg trans actors trans storyl, soaps have been leadg the charge when to reprentatn for s. That first kiss, for example, aired 1989, one year after the troductn of Sectn 28, a homophobic piece of legislatn that outlawed the “promotg the teachg of the acceptabily of homosexualy as a pretend fay relatnship. Brooksi's Gordon Colls Be The First Gay Character In A UK Soap Opera, 1985Portrayed by Nigel Crowley (and later Mark Burgs), Gordon Colls was first troduced to Channel 4's Brooksi 1982 and later me out 1985, beg the first openly gay character on a Brish soap opera.

UK SOAP OPERA'S GAY FOOTBALLER STORYLE HAILED BY LGBT+ GROUPS

It's now wily believed that Gordon and the Brooksi wrers paved the way for other soap operas and popular TV dramas to troduce their own gay characters. Eastenrs Airs The First Gay Kiss On Mastream TV, 1989In 1989, another character named Coll ma LGBTQ history when he took part the first gay kiss on mastream televisn. (The first ever gay kiss took place durg a BBC Two broadst of Edward II, between Ian McKellen and Jam Lrenson 1970 and, ne years later, there was a kiss between two men one BBC One drama Comg Out, but the Eastenrs kiss was seen by lns.

But the scene was seen as a groundbreakg moment for many the LGBTQ muny and, when Colls' send gay kiss took place – this time on the lips wh a character named Guido – the receptn was d parison. Brooksi Airs The First Lbian Kiss On Pre-Watershed TV, 1994As well as beg the soap to air the first gay character, Brooksi was was the first soap to show two women kissg before the 9 p. Eastenrs' Syed Is The First Mlim Gay Character In A Soap, 2009Who n fet when Syed (played by Marc Elltt) beme the first gay Mlim character on the square?

UK SOAP OPERA'S GAY FOOTBALLER STORYLE HAILED BY LGBT+ GROUPS

Through Iqra and Ash, Eastenrs was able to move beyond the tradnal on-screen stggle (which se characters beg outst simply bee they are gay) and stead explore new pth and plexy wh LGBTQ Hollyoaks, Ripley Lennox and Brooke Hathaway Make Soap History, 2021Portrayed by non-bary actor Ki Griff, Ripley Lennox first appeared on Hollyoaks back 2020, workg on a send-hand cloth stand at Cunngham’s Grand Bazaar market. The Amerin soap opera 'Soap' was the first to clu a gay character 1977 (the character Jodie Dallas), while the first openly gay character Great Bra's soaps was the show 'Brooksi' 1982 (the character Gordon Colls).

GAY STORYL ON BRISH TELEVISN FAR AHEAD OF THE {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY KATE ANRSONNOVEMBER 18, 2007/11:26 PMBY KATE ANRSONNOVEMBER 18, 2007 / 11:26 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"GAY STORYL ON BRISH TELEVISN FAR AHEAD OF THE U.S.","DATEPUBLISHED":"2007-11-19T04:26:15.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2007-11-19T04:26:15.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"KATE ANRSON","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE AMERIN DAYTIME TV DIENC HAVE BEEN AVIDLY FOLLOWG THE GROUND-BREAKG ROMANCE BETWEEN GAY TEENAGERS LE SNYR (VAN HANSIS) AND NOAH MAYER (JAKE SILBERMANN) ON AS THE WORLD TURNS, AND NIGHT TIME DIENC HAVE CHEERED THE OUT KEV WALKER’S (MATTHEW RHYS) RELATNSHIPS ON BROTHERS & SISTERS, ACROSS THE POND BRISH SOAP FANS HAVE BEEN FOLLOWG THEIR OWN GAY STORYL FOR MUCH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}US TELEVISN HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHG QUE LIKE THE FAN REACTN LE AND NOAH’S TEENAGE ROMANCE HAS PRODUCED ON ATWT, THE FIRST AMERIN SOAP OPERA TO PICT A FULLY REALIZED ROMANTIC GAY MALE UPLG AS AN TEGRAL PART OF THE SHOW. IN THE UK, HOWEVER, GAY STORYL SOAP OPERAS ARE NOTHG NEW. IN FACT, OM EASTENRS TO EMMERDALE, GAY CHARACTERS HAVE BEEN A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF UK SOAPS FOR THE LAST TWO S. (UNLIKE US DAYTIME DRAMAS LIKE ATWT, THE MAJORY OF BRISH SOAPS ARE BROADST AT NIGHT.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR GAY STORYL OF LATE HAS BEEN ON HOLLYOAKS WHICH DIFFERS OM S PETN BOTH THE TIME IS BROADST AND, UNTIL RECENTLY, S GAY NTENT. THE SHOW HAS NEVER BEEN SHY WHEN TO NTROVERSIAL STORYL, WHICH IS PARTICULARLY NOTEWORTHY SCE AIRS WELL BEFORE THE 9:00PM WATERSHED (THE CUT-OFF POT FOR UK PROGRAMS TEND FOR FAY VIEWG) AND REACH A YOUNGER DIENCE THAN DO OTHER SOAPS. HOWEVER, THE SHOW HAS HAD A POOR RERD WHEN TO GAY STORYL. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THANKFULLY, THE AWARD-WNG UK TEEN DRAMA EARLIER THIS YEAR TRODUCED A STORYLE THAT SAW JOHN PL MCQUEEN (JAM SUTTON) E OUT AS GAY, AND ALSO HAD HIM FALL LOVE WH HIS BT IEND CRAIG DEAN (GUY BUR). THE PROGRAM IS NOW UNDOUBTEDLY THE CRèME LA CRèME THE UK WHEN TO SHOWSG GAY PLOTL. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NOT ONLY DID THE LONG-NNG STORYLE PROVE TO BE ONE OF THE SHOW’S MOST POPULAR, BUT ALSO GAED SOMETHG OF A CULT FOLLOWG AMONGST FANS OF THE SHOW, BOTH GAY AND STRAIGHT. SO POPULAR WAS THE STORYLE THAT JAM SUTTON RECEIVED A NOMATN FOR BRA’S NATNAL TELEVISN AWARDS (PARABLE TO AMERI’S PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS) AS MOST POPULAR ACTOR, THOUGH HE ULTIMATELY DID NOT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALTHOUGH THE CHARACTER OF JOHN PL DIDN’T MAKE HIS BUT THE SOAP UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2006, CRAIG WAS A LONG-TABLISHED AND POPULAR CHARACTER. WHILE HAS SCE BEEN NFIRMED THAT JOHN PL WAS NCEIVED AS GAY RIGHT OM THE GET GO, CRAIG, BY AND LARGE, HAD ALWAYS BEEN PORTRAYED AS STRAIGHT. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOWEVER, THE DYNAMICS OF THEIR IENDSHIP CHANGED DRAMATILLY BACK JANUARY, WHEN THE “I LOVE YOU” EPISO AIRED. IT WAS THE MOMENT WHEN A DISTRGHT, TEARFUL JOHN PL ME OUT AND CLARED HIS FEELGS FOR HIS BT MATE, CRAIG. IT WAS HEARTRENDG, EMOTNAL AND BETIFULLY EXECUTED. QUE SIMPLY, WAS ONE OF THE FT G OUT SCEN BRISH TELEVISN HISTORY – NEVER MD A BRISH SOAP. AND AFTER A HIGHLY CHARGED WEEK OF NIED FEELGS, THE PAIR FALLY SHARED THEIR FIRST {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TH BEGAN A SEVEN-MONTH ROLLER ASTER RI THAT SAW HOLLYOAKS GOG GAY A VERY BIG WAY. VIEWERS QUICKLY STOPPED RG WHETHER THE MCQUEEN SISTERS GOT HCHED OR WHETHER WARREN WENT DOWN FOR ATTEMPTED MURR. IT WAS THE ROMANTIC LIAISONS BETWEEN MCDEAN, AS THE LOVERS WERE NAMED, THAT PROVED TO BE MT-SEE TV. AND OM THEIR FIRST KISS FEBARY TO THEIR FIRST SEXUAL ENUNTER MAY, VIEWERS WERE HOOKED. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LIKE MOST TEENAGE RELATNSHIPS – NEVER MD GAY ON – WAS FULL OF ANGST AND NFN. TORN BY HIS RECENTLY AWAKENED SEXUAL FEELGS FOR HIS GAY BT IEND, CRAIG FACED A SER DILEMMA. STICK WH HIS GEO AND LOYAL GIRLIEND SARAH OR LET HIS LT FOR BT MATE JOHN PL GET THE BETTER OF HIM. WHEN WRERS THREW A BOYIEND FOR JOHN PL (SPIKE) AS WELL AS HIS BOTTED EX (HANNAH) TO THE MIX, THGS GREW EVEN MORE PLITED AND TENSE. VIEWERS WERE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALAS, ALL GOOD THGS MT E TO AN END, AND THE TTH FALLY ME OUT AFTER A SHOCKED SARAH DISVERED CRAIG AND JOHN PL KISSG DURG HER AND CRAIG’S ENGAGEMENT PARTY. FORCED TO NONT HIS FEELGS, CRAIG FALLY FOUND THE STRENGTH TO E CLEAN AND HE AND JOHN PL CID TO MAKE A H START IRELAND. BUT SADLY THEY, AND WE, DIDN’T QUE GET THAT HAPPILY-EVER-AFTER ENDG. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN WHAT IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE SHOW’S MOST HEARTBREAKG SCEN, JOHN PL ME TO THE NCLN THAT HE NEED MORE OM THE RELATNSHIP THAN CRAIG WAS ABLE TO GIVE HIM. IN SHORT, HE NEED A BOYIEND WHO WAS AS FORTABLE HIS OWN SK AS HE WAS. AND SO, THE PAIR WENT THEIR SEPARATE WAYS: JOHN PL WENT BACK TO CHTER AND CRAIG SET OFF FOR A NEW LIFE DUBL. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS WH THE CURRENT NE STORYLE THAT’S BEEN UNFOLDG ON THE TRADNALLY FAY ORIENTED AS THE WORLD TURNS, WHAT MA JOHN PL AND CRAIG’S RELATNSHIP SO ENARG WAS S RPECTFUL TREATMENT AND TELLIGENT EXECUTN. THEIR ROMANCE WAS NATURAL AND REALISTIC AND TREATED THE SAME, NO WORSE, AND NO BETTER, THAN ANY OTHER HETEROSEXUAL RELATNSHIP. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}UNLIKE AMERIN TELEVISN ON WHICH THE NUMBER OF GAY CHARACTERS HAS STEADILY SHNK RECENT YEARS, THERE’S FAR MORE TO GAY CHARACTERS ON BRISH SOAPS THAN JT WHAT N BE SEEN ON HOLLYOAKS. IN 1985, ALMOST A BEFORE HOLLYOAKS EVEN EXISTED, A BRISH SOAP OPERA FIRST, CHANNEL 4’S HUGELY POPULAR GROUNDBREAKG SOAP BROOKSI BEME THE FIRST BRISH SOAP TO HAVE AN OUT AND PROUD GAY CHARACTER THE YOUNG, WELL SPOKEN, MIDDLE CLASS GORDON COLLS (MARK BURGS). {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BROOKSI BEGAN LIFE 1982 AND MA A NAME FOR SELF BY TACKLG SOCIAL AND POLIL PROBLEMS APPARENT 1980S BRA. IT WAS SENSATNAL AND BOLD AND ENJOYED BEG NTROVERSIAL. AND WHAT ULD BE MORE SENSATNAL, BOLD AND NTROVERSIAL THAN HAVG ONE OF THE SOAP’S WELL-KNOWN AND TABLISHED CHARACTERS E OUT AS GAY. PARTICULARLY DURG A TIME WHEN THE PASSG OF SECTN 28, A NTROVERSIAL AMENDMENT TO THE UK’S LOL GOVERNMENT ACT OF 1986, WHICH PERTAED TO THE PROMOTN OF HOMOSEXUALY, WASN’T FAR OFF AND AIDS S WERE ON THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FAR LS NTROVERSIAL THAN BROOKSI, EMMERDALE HAS ALSO HAD MORE THAN S FAIR SHARE OF GAY CHARACTERS. IN 1999, THE FIRST GAY MALE CHARACTER THE SHOW, JASON KIRK (JAM CARLTON) ED A RIGHT OLD STIR WHEN HE WAS UGHT SNOGGG BISEXUAL GAV FERRIS (ROBERT BECK), PARTICULARLY SCE HE JT SO HAPPENED TO BE BARMAID BERNICE’S FIANCé. FAST-FORWARD EIGHT YEARS AND EMMERDALE’S REPRENTATN AND PORTRAYAL OF GAY CHARACTERS IS FAR MORE POSIVE, WH THE SOAP CURRENTLY GEARG UP FOR S FIRST EVER GAY WEDDG. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CURRENT EMMERDALE RINTS PL LAMBERT (MATHEW BOSE) AND JONNY FOSTER (RICHARD GRIEVE) ARE BOTH CERTALY EASY ON THE EY, BUT SPE OF THEIR GOOD LOOKS, THE UPLE FAIL TO CHANNEL ANYTHG CLOSE TO THE CHEMISTRY AND PASSN JOHN PL AND CRAIG DID. HOWEVER, EMMERDALE IS SET TO FEATURE THE FIRST EVER GAY WEDDG ON A PRIME TIME {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALTHOUGH AS VIEWERS WELL KNOW, SOAP OPERA WEDDGS RARELY GO ACRDG TO PLAN. PL AND JONNY’S WAS NO EXCEPTN. IN A MOVE THAT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY E A HUGE BACKLASH AMONGST EMMERDALE FANS AND THE GAY MUNY ALIKE, THE FOUNDATNS OF PL AND JONNY’S RELATNSHIP WERE ROCKED TO THE RE WHEN PL GOT LD FEET ABOUT THEIR UPG NUPTIALS AND CHEATED ON HIS FIANCé. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE SLEAZE AND SENSATNALISM LOOKS TO BE THE ORR OF THE DAY FOR EMMERDALE, EASTENRS, ANOTHER LONG-NNG BRISH SOAP, HAS ED VAR HOMOSEXUAL CHARACTERS TO HIGHLIGHT GAY ISSU SCE THE EARLY 1980S. ALTHOUGH THE SHOW RECENTLY ANNOUNCED A GAY CHARACTER WOULD BE ADD TO THE ST, THERE HASN’T BEEN A GAY MALE CHARACTER FICTNAL WALFORD SCE DEREK HARKSON (IAN LAVENR) LEFT THE SOAP 2005. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 1987 THE SHOW ED HUGE NTROVERSY WHEN SCREENED THE FIRST EVER GAY KISS A UK SOAP. THE LIP-LOCK TOOK PLACE BETWEEN WALFORD’S FIRST HOMOSEXUAL RINT COL RSELL (OPENLY GAY ACTOR AND ACTIVIST MICHAEL CASHMAN) AND HIS YOUNGER BOYIEND, BARRY CLARK (GARY HAIL). ON A PRIME TIME, PRE-WATERSHED PROGRAM, THE PORTRAYAL OF AN OPENLY GAY MAN — LET ALONE ONE A HOMOSEXUAL RELATNSHIP — WAS UNHEARD OF BEFORE COL AND BARRY'S TRODUCTN. TO SAY THEIR KISS, NOTHG MORE THAN A CHASTE PECK ON THE FOREHEAD, DIDN’T GO DOWN WELL THE MEDIA AND WH THE VIEWG PUBLIC WOULD BE AN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VIEWERS BRAND THE PROGRAM “FILTH” AND DUBBED “EASTBENRS.” THERE WERE EVEN QUTNS PARLIAMENT ABOUT WHETHER WAS APPROPRIATE TO HAVE GAY MEN A FAY SHOW WHEN AIDS WAS SUPPOSEDLY SWEEPG THE UNTRY. HOWEVER, REGARDLS OF THE IAL NEGATIVY, THE CHARACTERS HAD A POWERFUL IMPACT ON PUBLIC ATTUS, AND THE SHOW'S HANDLG OF COL AND BARRY'S RELATNSHIP WAS EMED BY MANY GAY ACTIVISTS AS SOMETHG OF A BREAKTHROUGH. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE SHOW BUILT ON THAT BREAKTHROUGH TWO YEARS LATER WHEN COL AND HIS NEW BOYIEND, GUIDO SMH (NICHOLAS DONOVAN), ENGAGED THE FIRST FULL MOUTH GAY SOAP KISS. THEIR LOCKG OF LIPS LED SOME MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT TO LL FOR THE SHOW TO BE BANNED, AND THE SUN NEWSPAPER EVEN WENT SO FAR AS TO SCRIBE THE PARATIVELY TAME KISS, WHICH CINTALLY, WAS WATCHED BY SOME TWENTY LN PEOPLE, AS "A HOMOSEXUAL LOVE SCENE BETWEEN YUPPIE POOFS... WHEN LNS OF CHILDREN WERE WATCHG." {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SEVEN YEARS LATER EASTENRS AGA URTED NTROVERSY, THIS TIME WH A “CENSORED” KISS BETWEEN TONY HILLS (MARK HOMER) AND SIMON RAYMOND (ANDREW LYNFORD). THE BBC CUT THE KISS BY A UPLE OF SENDS, SO AS NOT TO "STARTLE" VIEWERS. THE KISS, SHOWN MORE THAN AN HOUR BEFORE THE 9:00PM FAY VIEWG CURFEW, HAD BEEN CUT OM AN ORIGAL TWO SENDS TO A MERE HALF-SEND. EQUALLY FURIATG WAS THE STORYLE, WHICH SAW BISEXUAL TONY BREAK OFF HIS RELATNSHIP WH HIS PREGNANT GIRLIEND TIFFANY TO GET TOGETHER WH SIMON, WHO JT SO HAPPENED TO BE HIS EX-GIRLIEND’S BROTHER. ALTHOUGH THE END, THE UPLE DID GET SOMETHG OF A HAPPY-EVER-AFTER ENDG, WH TONY G TO TERMS WH HIS SEXUALY AND THE PAIR HEADG OFF TO TRAVEL AROUND EUROPE TOGETHER. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}UNTIL THE NEW GAY CHARACTER JOS EASTENRS ANY ACTN OF THE GAY KD ON THE SHOW SEEMS ABOUT AS LIKELY AS MATRIARCHAL CHARACTER DOT BRANNG, THE SOAP’S MUCH LOVED, RELIG BYBODY RENOUNCG GOD. BUT ON RIVAL SOAP CORONATN STREET, ’S A TOTALLY DIFFERENT STORY. FIRST, THERE IS BARMAN SEAN TULLEY (ANTONY COTTON). AND NOW, THANKS TO THE RETURN OF POPULAR AND PIVOTAL GAY CHARACTER TODD GRIMSHAW (BNO LANGLEY) THE SHOW CURRENTLY FEATUR NOT ONE, BUT TWO GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TODD WAS CORONATN STREET’S FIRST ACKNOWLEDGED GAY CHARACTER. AFTER YEARS OF CRICISM ABOUT NON-REPRENTATN A SOAP THAT HAD A MASSIVE GAY FAN BASE, VIEWERS SAW TODD SLOWLY BEG TO QUTN HIS SEXUALY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE CHARACTER’S NFN OVER HIS SEXUALY ME TO A HEAD A STORYLE THAT SAW HIM KISS HIS GIRLIEND SARAH’S BROTHER, NICK (ADAM RICKT). IT WAS THE VETERAN SOAP’S FIRST GAY KISS S 43-YEAR HISTORY AND ALTHOUGH THE EPISO RECEIVED A FEW PLATS OM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC UPSET AT PRE-WATERSHED GAY SCEN (A MERE 21 PLATS FOR THE EPISO WERE RECEIVED BY THE INPENNT TELEVISN COMMISSN TOTAL), WAS NOTHG PARED TO THE RERD NUMBER OF PLATS FOR THAT FAMO EASTENRS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT SEEMS THAT EVEN THE 21ST CENTURY, GAY CHARACTERS ON TELEVISN – PARTICULARLY ON FAY-ORIENTED SOAPS – ARE ALWAYS GOG TO URT A CERTA AMOUNT OF NTROVERSY. BUT TIM ARE FELY CHANGG. AFTER ALL, CRAIG AND JOHN PL’S LT-FILLED RELATNSHIP ON HOLLYOAKS FEATURED FAR MORE THAN A QUICK BSH OF LIPS AND THAT DID NOTHG TO HURT THEIR POPULARY. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PUT SIMPLY, 2007, THE VISIBILY OF GAY CHARACTERS UK SOAPS HAS NEVER BEEN HEALTHIER. THE DAYS A SAME-SEX KISS ON A POPULAR SOAP OPERA DON’T END UP BEG FODR FOR THE TABLOIDS THE WAY EASTENRS WAS THE EIGHTI AND NETI. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT’S LARGELY THANKS TO THE LIK OF PROMENT AND POPULAR GAY SOAP CHARACTERS WHO PAVED THE WAY, SUCH AS GORDON COLLS, COL RSELL, BARRY CLARK, SIMON RAYMOND AND TONY HILLS; AND THOSE BUILDG ON THEIR LEGACY CLUDG TODD GRIMSHAW, SEAN TULLY AND JOHN PL MCQUEEN. HOPEFULLY ONE DAY SOON AMERIN VIEWERS WILL HAVE A SIAR LIST OF WELL-VELOPED GAY CHARACTERS TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

EastEnrs boss Kate Oat said she is lookg forward to the day a same-sex kiss on a soap do not receive Friel was famoly one half of the first lbian kiss shown pre-watershed on Brish TV (Isabel Infant/PA)While Brish soaps have long been at the foreont of LGBT reprentatn on TV, EastEnrs boss Kate Oat said the BBC still receiv plats when featur storyl volvg gay London-set show is not alone breakg new ground, wh Coronatn Street and Brooksi among the other soaps makg TV firsts for the gay are the most memorable LGBT moments Brish soap opera history. Brish soaps’ first gay kissLord Michael Cashman played Col Rsell on EastEnrs (BBC/PA)EastEnrs was the first soap opera to feature a gay kiss on Brish characters of Col Rsell and Barry Clarke shared a moment of timacy durg a January 1989 episo and the historic moment was watched by about 20 ln viewers. Brooksi’s lbian kissAnna Friel was famoly volved the first lbian kiss shown pre-watershed on Brish TV (Ian Wt/PA)Liverpool-based soap Brooksi beme known for breakg new ground throughout s 21-year stt on Channel 4 and was rponsible for perhaps the most famo LGBT moment Brish soap opera was January 1994 when Anna Friel’s Beth Jordache embraced Nila Stephenson’s Margaret Clemence for the first pre-watershed lbian kiss on Brish Boyle clud the scene the 2012 London Olympic openg ceremony, which was broadst to more than five billn people around the world, cludg 76 untri where homosexualy is illegal.

Dpe the shows dippg their to the water wh queer characters and storyl the 1990s — like Ryan Phillippe as groundbreakg gay teen Billy Douglas on “One Life to Live” om 1992 to 1993 — the show shied away om romance for s queer characters until the 21st century.

On “General Hospal, ” Lus Jon (then played by Ben Hogtyn), the adopted son of Bobbie Spencer (Jackie Zeman) and Tony Jon (Brad Mle) me out as gay, but he didn’t get much romance before he was wrten off the show 2006; the character returned to the nvas played by Ryan Carn 2013. The son of superuple Lily and Holn Snyr (Martha Byrne and Jon Hensley), he got a uple of major romanc, first wh Noah Reid (Jake Silbermann), wh whom he shared daytime’s first gay male kiss, though their romance was portrayed as far more chaste than soap operas ually pict heterosexual love stori. “Days of Our Liv” vted heavily Will Horton (Chandler Massey), who me out as gay, had many ont-burner storyl, and even had a proment love triangle wh Sonny Kiriakis (Freddie Smh) and Pl Nara (Christopher Sean), both of whom were also legacy characters om important fai on the show.

Same-sex love scen once proved too sndalo for much of mastream TV, but the sex-driven plots of soap operas, gay and lbian characters have enjoyed some moments of timacy worthy of a parental warng.

Will and Sonny's First Time (Days of Our Liv)When Will Horton and Sonny Kiriakis, young gay members of two major fai on the long-nng soap Days of Our Liv, got together, showed that mment to the characters' sexualy than was more than a sishow.

Ne Explos (As the World Turns)Sometim lled Amerin soaps' first gay super-uple, Le Snyr and Noah Mayer were romantilly lked on the sce-nceled As the World Turns, but waed about two years between a first kiss 2007 and fally dog the ed 2009. Dperate HoewivDperate Hoewiv' out creator, Marc Cherry, ma no secret that the Van Kamp fay stood for his own, but still stunned many viewers when son Andrew was revealed to be gay.

(One Life to Live)One of daytime soaps' first love scen between two gay men took place 2009 when Oliver Fish and Kyle Lewis stripped each other down while ndl burned the foreground. The followg is a sortable listg of soap operas or serial dramas which clu central LGBT (Lbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgenr) them or characters. Horror/supernatural-themed soap opera which almost the entire st of characters is gay or lbian and many of whom are played by openly LGBT actors.