Matthew Rhys On His 'Rehg' Gay Character On 'Brothers & Sisters' | HuffPost Voic

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• IN SURPRISG PLOT-TWIST, "BROTHERS & SISTERS" TAK ON HIV/{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;}LIFEBY BRENT HARTGERMAY 17, 2010/1:54 AMBY BRENT HARTGERMAY 17, 2010 / 1:54 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"IN SURPRISG PLOT-TWIST, \"BROTHERS & SISTERS\" TAK ON HIV/AIDS","DATEPUBLISHED":"2010-05-17T05:54:33.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2010-05-17T05:54:33.000+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":"BRENT HARTGER","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"LIFE"}{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;}WARNG: THIS ARTICLE NTAS SPOILERS FOR THE "ON THE ROAD AGA" EPISO OF BROTHERS & SISTERS. {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 ATH OF ROBERT MCCALLISTER (ROB LOWE) SUNDAY NIGHT'S SEASON FALE OF BROTHERS & SISTERS MAY HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE WORST-KEPT SECRETS TELEVISN {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;}BUT THE SAME EPISO, "ON THE ROAD AGA," NTAED ANOTHER A PIVOTAL PLOT-TWIST THAT UGHT MANY VIEWERS BY PLETE {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;}UNCLE SL, PLAYED BY RON RIFK, IS {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;}HE JOS AN EXTREMELY SMALL NUMBER OF GAY CHARACTERS ON SCRIPTED AMERIN TELEVISN WHO HAVE EVER BEEN INTIFIED AS HIV-POSIVE. THE LAST SUCH CHARACTER, AT LEAST SUCH A HIGH-PROFILE TV PROJECT, MAY HAVE BEEN THE CHARACTER OF VCE TAYLOR (ANTHONY AZIZI) ON THE 2005-2006 SERI {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;}OTHER REGULAR GAY OR BISEXUAL HIV-POSIVE CHARACTERS TV HISTORY CLU LEE CAMPBELL ON THE BT YEARS (A CANADIAN IMPORT THAT AIRED ON THE N 2007), AND SEVERAL CHARACTERS ON THE SHOWTIME SERI QUEER AS {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;}TELEVISN'S HIGHT PROFILE REGULAR HIV-POSIVE CHARACTERS EVER WERE PROBABLY JEANIE BOULET (GLORIA RBEN) ON E.R. AND ROBERT CALDWELL (MARK HARMON) ON ST. ELSEWHERE. SPEEDY, ALSO KNOWN AS MIA DEARN, IS AN HIV-POSIVE SUPERHERO TRODUCED ON THE LATT SEASON OF SMALLVILLE ( A MEO).{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;}STILL, THE CHARACTERS, LIKE MOST HIV-POSIVE CHARACTERS ON TV TO DATE, ARE HETEROSEXUAL — PERHAPS REFLECTG THE ENTERTAMENT DTRY'S AMBIVALENCE TOWARD HIV/AIDS AND THEIR RELUCTANCE TO RERCE THE MISTAKEN NOTN THAT AIDS IS A "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;}BUT BY REPEATEDLY PROMOTG THE WELL-TENTNED IA THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE GAY TO GET HIV/AIDS, HOLLYWOOD HAS RERCED ANOTHER MISPERCEPTN: THAT MOST S OF HIV FECTN THE U.S. WERE NOT AMONG GAY AND BISEXUAL MEN WHEN, FACT, THEY WERE (AND STILL ARE).{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 LAST NIGHT'S BROTHERS & SISTERS EPISO, SL IS NTACTED BY AN OLD IEND (AND ONE-TIME ROMANTIC TERT) VIA FACEBOOK. WHEN KEV AND STTY SUALLY POT OUT OM THE IEND'S PROFILE THAT HE'S BEEN LIVG WH AIDS FOR MANY YEARS, LEADS SL TO ADM THAT HE'S NEVER ACTUALLY BEEN TTED FOR THE VIS THAT {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;}SL ADMS THAT, S EARLIER, HE HAD HAD A SERI OF RANDOM, UNPROTECTED SEXUAL ENUNTERS THAT RULTED BEE OF WISPREAD IGNORANCE ABOUT THE FACTS OF HIV/AIDS AND HIS OWN EPLY TERNALIZED {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;}AFTER MUCH PROMPTG BY THE WALKER FAY, SL FALLY AGRE TO GET TTED. AT THE TTG CENTER, HE LEARNS THAT IS POSSIBLE TO RRY THE VIS FOR MANY YEARS WHOUT SHOWG SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE (AND THAT HIV-FECTN RAT ARE CURRENTLY RISG AMONG THE ELRLY THANKS TO SEXUAL ENHANCEMENT DGS).{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;}LATER, AFTER PHONG TO GET THE RULTS OF HIS TT (SOMETHG NOT ALLOWED MOST TTG CENTERS), SL TELLS THE FAY THAT HE IS FE, THAT HE HAS TTED {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;}BUT THE FAY IS LATER VOLVED A R CRASH AT THE END OF THE EPISO — AN ACCINT THAT ENDS UP TAKG ROBERT MCCALLISTER'S LIFE. SL IS JURED AS WELL AND IS BLEEDG, BUT WHEN KEV APPROACH TO HELP HIM, HE SAYS, "DON'T TOUCH ME! YOU N'T."{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 OTHER WORDS, HE HAS LIED ABOUT THE RULTS OF HIS TT. HE IS HIV-POSIVE, AND HIS BLOOD IS {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;}CURRENTLY, GAY AND BISEXUAL MEN MAKE UP HALF OF ALL HIV FECTNS THE U.S. AND SLIGHTLY MORE THAN HALF OF NEW FECTNS, ACRDG TO 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;}ESTIMAT OF THE NUMBER OF GAY MEN CURRENTLY LIVG WH HIV RANGE OM TEN PERCENT TO FORTY PERCENT CERTA CI. A 2010 STUDY OF GAY MEN WASHGTON D.C. FOUND THAT 14% OF GAY MEN THAT CY ARE {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;}SUNDAY NIGHT'S BROTHERS & SISTERS PLOT-TWIST, G THE LAST EPISO OF THE SEASON, GIV THE SHOW AN OPPORTUNY TO AL WH AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN IGNORED BY MASTREAM TELEVISN FOR FAR TOO LONG: HIV FECTN AMONG GAY AND BISEXUAL MEN, PARTICULARLY AMONG 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;}IT ALSO GIV THE SHOW A CHANCE TO DO SOMETHG TERTG WH RON RIFK, A TALENTED ACTOR WHO HAS BEEN GIVEN LTLE TO DO ON THE SHOW TO DATE, SPE THE REVELATN THAT HE IS GAY EARLY THE SEND {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;}ACRDG TO HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, THE SHOW HAS BEEN RENEWED FOR A FIFTH {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
• OLR GAY CHARACTERS FALLY GET SOME SCREEN TIME ON “BROTHERS & SISTERS”{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 BRENT HARTGERFEBARY 15, 2011/12:00 PMBY BRENT HARTGERFEBARY 15, 2011 / 12:00 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"OLR GAY CHARACTERS FALLY GET SOME SCREEN TIME ON “BROTHERS & SISTERS”","DATEPUBLISHED":"2011-02-15T17:00:54.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2011-02-15T17:00:54.000+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":"BRENT HARTGER","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;}YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT MEDIA VISIBILY? TRY FDG A GAY MAN ON TELEVISN WHO IS OVER 50 – MUCH LS A UPLE OF OLR GAY MEN BEG ANY WAY SEXUAL OR {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;}YOU MIGHT HAVE BETTER LUCK LOOKG FOR A BISEXUAL {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 VERY FEW TV EXCEPTNS HAS BEEN BROTHERS & SISTERS, WHICH FEATUR THE CHARACTER OF SL, PLAYED BY VETERAN ACTOR RON RIFK, WHO IS 71. WHILE THE ABC SHOW SERV CRED FOR SIMPLY CLUDG THE CHARACTER AT ALL, SL’S BEEN FAR-AND-AWAY THE PROGRAM’S LEAST VELOPED “BROTHER” OR “SISTER,” SPE THE SURPRISG REVELATN LAST SPRG’S FALE THAT HE IS {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;}STORYL VOLVG SL’S PREV LOVE TERTS, PLAYED BY DAVE FOLEY, JOHN GLOVER, AND STEPHEN COLLS, WERE MOSTLY OF THE BLK-AND-YOU-MISSED- {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;}LAST FALL, RIFK HIMSELF EXPRSED TRATN WH THE CHARACTERS’ LACK OF VELOPMENT, SAYG, “THE CHARACTER HAS BEE SORT OF PERIPHERAL OVER THE LAST UPLE OF YEARS, AND NOT AS VOLVED AS HE WAS THE FIRST TWO OR THREE YEARS. IT’S BEEN A TRATG STGGLE FOR ME. IT’S REALLY BEEN HARD FOR ME. AND THEN, WH THE REVEAL OF THE AIDS THG, I THOUGHT, WELL … MAYBE THEY’LL GET TO , BUT DON’T SEEM TO BE WHAT THEY’RE TERTED .”{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;}BUT LAST SUNDAY, THE SHOW’S VALENTE’S EPISO NO LS, SL WAS GIVEN A MAJOR PLOT-LE A STORY VOLVG AN EX-FLG, PLAYED BY TV HEARTTHROB (AND RECENTLY REAL-LIFE OUT GAY MAN) RICHARD CHAMBERLA, AGE {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;}SL AND CHAMBERLA’S CHARACTER, JONATHAN, REKDLE A IENDSHIP THAT HAD LONG SCE LAPSED; JONATHAN, TURNS OUT, MAY HAVE BEEN THE ONE WHO ADVERTENTLY FECTED SL WH HIV BACK 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;}BUT SL HAS ROMANTIC FEELGS FOR JONATHAN AND IS UNSURE IF JONATHAN SHAR THEM. WHEN JONATHAN TURNS OUT TO KNOW A GAY FOOD CRIC WHO IS VISG STTY’S RTRANT (FAY TI’ MICHAEL GROSS), SL PRS HIM TO PRETEND TO RPOND TO HIS AFFECTNS ORR TO W STTY A BETTER REVIEW. BUT SL, WHO IS ACTG AS WAER, IS H BY A F OF UNEXPECTED JEALOY, WHICH LEADS HIM TO S LEVELS OF {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 THE END, ALL IS MA RIGHT WHEN SL AND JONATHAN FALLY DO EXPRS THEIR TE FEELGS FOR EACH OTHER. EVEN MORE REMARKABLE, THEY SHARE A FULL KISS AND THEN PART FOR JONATHAN’S APARTMENT WHERE THE IMPLITN IS THEY WILL DO MUCH MORE THAN {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’S HARD TO OVERSTATE HOW UNUAL THIS IS MASTREAM MEDIA, ALTHOUGH, TERTGLY, THE FIRST GAY UPLE TO EVER APPEAR ON SERI TELEVISN WAS AN OLR ONE, GEE AND GORDON NORMAN LEAR’S SHORT-LIVED HOT L BALTIMORE 1975. BUT THE SQUABBLG CHARACTERS WERE ANYTHG BUT {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;}NEXT PAGE! GREG AND PETER BRADY GROW UP AND GO 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;}CHRISTOPHER KNIGHT AND BARRY WILLIAMS AS AN OLR GAY UPLE ON A 2006 EPISO OF THAT 70S {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;}INED, WHEN OLR GAY CHARACTERS HAVE OCSNALLY APPEARED ON TELEVISN, 'S VERY OFTEN AS THE PUNCHLE TO A JOKE, AS EPISOS OF SCBS (WHERE OLR GAY MEN E TO J.D.’S BACKYARD CK TO HOOK UP); THE COSBY SHOW (WHERE BILL ACCINTALLY JOS A BASEBALL TEAM FOR GAY SENRS); JACKASS (WHERE SPIKE JONZE AND JOHNNY KNOXVILLE DRS UP AS A NETY-YEAR-OLD UPLE TO MAKE OUT FOR SPECTATORS); THE DREW CAREY SHOW (WHERE BATMAN'S ADAM WT PLAYS ONE HALF OF AN OLR GAY UPLE TRYG TO RENT A ROOM); FRASIER (WHERE JOHN MAHONEY LEARNS THAT A CHARACTER PLAYED BY DAVID OGN STIERS, HIS WIFE’S WOULD-BE PARAMOUR AND POSSIBLE FATHER TO NIL AND FRASIER, IS GAY); AND THAT 70S SHOW (WHERE THE BRADY BUNCH’S CHRISTOPHER KNIGHT AND BARRY WILLIAMS PLAY A GAY UPLE).{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 SHOWS WHERE THE OLR GAY CHARACTERS ARE NOT PLAYED FOR LGHS, THEY’RE UALLY PLAYED AS OBJECTS OF SYMPATHY, AS AN EPISO OF ER WHERE JOHN MAHONEY PLAYS A DRAG QUEEN CHARACTER WHOSE LONG-TIME PARTNER IS {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;}SOME OF THE RARE EXCEPTNS TO THE "PUNCH LE OR SYMPATHY" LE CLU THE BARELY THERE 61-YEAR-OLD TOM FRIENDLY ON LOST AND 50-ISH SIDNEY SHORR (PLAYED BY TONY RANDALL) ON THE 1981 S LOVE, SIDNEY (ALTHOUGH SIDNEY’S SEXUALY WAS RARELY MENTNED AGA AFTER THE TRODUCTORY TV MOVIE, AND HE HAD ABSOLUTELY NO ROMANTIC LIFE WHATSOEVER).{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;}SWOOSIE KURTZ AND TONY RANDALL LOVE, {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 OTHER WORDS, BY HIGHLIGHTG AN OLR GAY ROMANCE, BROTHERS & SISTERS HAS DONE SOMETHG TLY EXTRAORDARY HERE – AND NOT FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE SHOW’S QUALY HAS BEEN MADNGLY NSISTENT, BUT SHORT OF WILL & GRACE, ’S HARD TO THK OF A SHOW THAT’S BROKEN MORE GAY GROUND, ON ISSU RANGG OM SAME-SEX AFFECTN AND MARRIAGE TO GAY PARENTHOOD AND EVEN MARAL {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;}OLR GAY OR BISEXUAL MALE CHARACTERS ARE RARE FILM AS WELL, ALSO UALLY APPEARG AS IC RELIEF, AS THE BIRD CAGE, LA CAGE AUX FOLL, OR DEATH AT A FUNERAL, OR AS PERIPHERAL CHARACTERS, AS POSEIDON, WH RICHARD DREYFS PLAYG AN OLR GAY MAN TRANGED OM HIS PARTNER, AND THE BROKEN HEARTS CLUB AND TRICK WHERE OLR GAY CHARACTERS (PLAYED JOHN MAHONEY YET AGA, AND STEVE HAY, RPECTIVELY) HAD “MENTOR”-TYPE {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;}RARE FILM EXAMPL OF THREE-DIMENSNAL OLR GAY MALE CHARACTERS CLU GODS AND MONSTERS AND THE UPG FILM BEGNERS, WHERE CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER PLAYS A NEWLY OUT 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;}THE WIZARD ALB DUMBLEDORE WAS A DIGNIFIED OLR GAY MALE CHARACTER, BUT THIS FACT WAS NEVER VELOPED OR EVEN EXPRSED ANY OF THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS OR MOVI – JT SUALLY RELATED AFTER-THE-FACT BY THOR J.K. {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
• THERE ARE 3 GUYS PLAYG GAY ON B&S, ARE ANY OF THEM GAY REAL LIFE?
• MATTHEW RHYS ON HIS 'REHG' GAY CHARACTER ON 'BROTHERS & SISTERS'

IN SURPRISG PLOT-TWIST, "BROTHERS & SISTERS" TAK ON HIV/{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;}LIFEBY BRENT HARTGERMAY 17, 2010/1:54 AMBY BRENT HARTGERMAY 17, 2010 / 1:54 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"IN SURPRISG PLOT-TWIST, \"BROTHERS & SISTERS\" TAK ON HIV/AIDS","DATEPUBLISHED":"2010-05-17T05:54:33.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2010-05-17T05:54:33.000+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":"BRENT HARTGER","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"LIFE"}{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;}WARNG: THIS ARTICLE NTAS SPOILERS FOR THE "ON THE ROAD AGA" EPISO OF BROTHERS & SISTERS. {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 ATH OF ROBERT MCCALLISTER (ROB LOWE) SUNDAY NIGHT'S SEASON FALE OF BROTHERS & SISTERS MAY HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE WORST-KEPT SECRETS TELEVISN {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;}BUT THE SAME EPISO, "ON THE ROAD AGA," NTAED ANOTHER A PIVOTAL PLOT-TWIST THAT UGHT MANY VIEWERS BY PLETE {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;}UNCLE SL, PLAYED BY RON RIFK, IS {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;}HE JOS AN EXTREMELY SMALL NUMBER OF GAY CHARACTERS ON SCRIPTED AMERIN TELEVISN WHO HAVE EVER BEEN INTIFIED AS HIV-POSIVE. THE LAST SUCH CHARACTER, AT LEAST SUCH A HIGH-PROFILE TV PROJECT, MAY HAVE BEEN THE CHARACTER OF VCE TAYLOR (ANTHONY AZIZI) ON THE 2005-2006 SERI {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;}OTHER REGULAR GAY OR BISEXUAL HIV-POSIVE CHARACTERS TV HISTORY CLU LEE CAMPBELL ON THE BT YEARS (A CANADIAN IMPORT THAT AIRED ON THE N 2007), AND SEVERAL CHARACTERS ON THE SHOWTIME SERI QUEER AS {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;}TELEVISN'S HIGHT PROFILE REGULAR HIV-POSIVE CHARACTERS EVER WERE PROBABLY JEANIE BOULET (GLORIA RBEN) ON E.R. AND ROBERT CALDWELL (MARK HARMON) ON ST. ELSEWHERE. SPEEDY, ALSO KNOWN AS MIA DEARN, IS AN HIV-POSIVE SUPERHERO TRODUCED ON THE LATT SEASON OF SMALLVILLE ( A MEO).{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;}STILL, THE CHARACTERS, LIKE MOST HIV-POSIVE CHARACTERS ON TV TO DATE, ARE HETEROSEXUAL — PERHAPS REFLECTG THE ENTERTAMENT DTRY'S AMBIVALENCE TOWARD HIV/AIDS AND THEIR RELUCTANCE TO RERCE THE MISTAKEN NOTN THAT AIDS IS A "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;}BUT BY REPEATEDLY PROMOTG THE WELL-TENTNED IA THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE GAY TO GET HIV/AIDS, HOLLYWOOD HAS RERCED ANOTHER MISPERCEPTN: THAT MOST S OF HIV FECTN THE U.S. WERE NOT AMONG GAY AND BISEXUAL MEN WHEN, FACT, THEY WERE (AND STILL ARE).{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 LAST NIGHT'S BROTHERS & SISTERS EPISO, SL IS NTACTED BY AN OLD IEND (AND ONE-TIME ROMANTIC TERT) VIA FACEBOOK. WHEN KEV AND STTY SUALLY POT OUT OM THE IEND'S PROFILE THAT HE'S BEEN LIVG WH AIDS FOR MANY YEARS, LEADS SL TO ADM THAT HE'S NEVER ACTUALLY BEEN TTED FOR THE VIS THAT {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;}SL ADMS THAT, S EARLIER, HE HAD HAD A SERI OF RANDOM, UNPROTECTED SEXUAL ENUNTERS THAT RULTED BEE OF WISPREAD IGNORANCE ABOUT THE FACTS OF HIV/AIDS AND HIS OWN EPLY TERNALIZED {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;}AFTER MUCH PROMPTG BY THE WALKER FAY, SL FALLY AGRE TO GET TTED. AT THE TTG CENTER, HE LEARNS THAT IS POSSIBLE TO RRY THE VIS FOR MANY YEARS WHOUT SHOWG SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE (AND THAT HIV-FECTN RAT ARE CURRENTLY RISG AMONG THE ELRLY THANKS TO SEXUAL ENHANCEMENT DGS).{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;}LATER, AFTER PHONG TO GET THE RULTS OF HIS TT (SOMETHG NOT ALLOWED MOST TTG CENTERS), SL TELLS THE FAY THAT HE IS FE, THAT HE HAS TTED {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;}BUT THE FAY IS LATER VOLVED A R CRASH AT THE END OF THE EPISO — AN ACCINT THAT ENDS UP TAKG ROBERT MCCALLISTER'S LIFE. SL IS JURED AS WELL AND IS BLEEDG, BUT WHEN KEV APPROACH TO HELP HIM, HE SAYS, "DON'T TOUCH ME! YOU N'T."{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 OTHER WORDS, HE HAS LIED ABOUT THE RULTS OF HIS TT. HE IS HIV-POSIVE, AND HIS BLOOD IS {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;}CURRENTLY, GAY AND BISEXUAL MEN MAKE UP HALF OF ALL HIV FECTNS THE U.S. AND SLIGHTLY MORE THAN HALF OF NEW FECTNS, ACRDG TO 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;}ESTIMAT OF THE NUMBER OF GAY MEN CURRENTLY LIVG WH HIV RANGE OM TEN PERCENT TO FORTY PERCENT CERTA CI. A 2010 STUDY OF GAY MEN WASHGTON D.C. FOUND THAT 14% OF GAY MEN THAT CY ARE {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;}SUNDAY NIGHT'S BROTHERS & SISTERS PLOT-TWIST, G THE LAST EPISO OF THE SEASON, GIV THE SHOW AN OPPORTUNY TO AL WH AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN IGNORED BY MASTREAM TELEVISN FOR FAR TOO LONG: HIV FECTN AMONG GAY AND BISEXUAL MEN, PARTICULARLY AMONG 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;}IT ALSO GIV THE SHOW A CHANCE TO DO SOMETHG TERTG WH RON RIFK, A TALENTED ACTOR WHO HAS BEEN GIVEN LTLE TO DO ON THE SHOW TO DATE, SPE THE REVELATN THAT HE IS GAY EARLY THE SEND {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;}ACRDG TO HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, THE SHOW HAS BEEN RENEWED FOR A FIFTH {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

The ath of Robert McCallister (Rob Lowe) Sunday night's season fale of Brothers & Sisters may have been one of the worst-kept secrets televisn the same episo, "On the Road Aga, " ntaed another a pivotal plot-twist that ught many viewers by plete Sl, played by Ron Rifk, is jos an extremely small number of gay characters on scripted Amerin televisn who have ever been intified as HIV-posive.

OLR GAY CHARACTERS FALLY GET SOME SCREEN TIME ON “BROTHERS & SISTERS”{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 BRENT HARTGERFEBARY 15, 2011/12:00 PMBY BRENT HARTGERFEBARY 15, 2011 / 12:00 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"OLR GAY CHARACTERS FALLY GET SOME SCREEN TIME ON “BROTHERS & SISTERS”","DATEPUBLISHED":"2011-02-15T17:00:54.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2011-02-15T17:00:54.000+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":"BRENT HARTGER","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;}YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT MEDIA VISIBILY? TRY FDG A GAY MAN ON TELEVISN WHO IS OVER 50 – MUCH LS A UPLE OF OLR GAY MEN BEG ANY WAY SEXUAL OR {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;}YOU MIGHT HAVE BETTER LUCK LOOKG FOR A BISEXUAL {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 VERY FEW TV EXCEPTNS HAS BEEN BROTHERS & SISTERS, WHICH FEATUR THE CHARACTER OF SL, PLAYED BY VETERAN ACTOR RON RIFK, WHO IS 71. WHILE THE ABC SHOW SERV CRED FOR SIMPLY CLUDG THE CHARACTER AT ALL, SL’S BEEN FAR-AND-AWAY THE PROGRAM’S LEAST VELOPED “BROTHER” OR “SISTER,” SPE THE SURPRISG REVELATN LAST SPRG’S FALE THAT HE IS {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;}STORYL VOLVG SL’S PREV LOVE TERTS, PLAYED BY DAVE FOLEY, JOHN GLOVER, AND STEPHEN COLLS, WERE MOSTLY OF THE BLK-AND-YOU-MISSED- {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;}LAST FALL, RIFK HIMSELF EXPRSED TRATN WH THE CHARACTERS’ LACK OF VELOPMENT, SAYG, “THE CHARACTER HAS BEE SORT OF PERIPHERAL OVER THE LAST UPLE OF YEARS, AND NOT AS VOLVED AS HE WAS THE FIRST TWO OR THREE YEARS. IT’S BEEN A TRATG STGGLE FOR ME. IT’S REALLY BEEN HARD FOR ME. AND THEN, WH THE REVEAL OF THE AIDS THG, I THOUGHT, WELL … MAYBE THEY’LL GET TO , BUT DON’T SEEM TO BE WHAT THEY’RE TERTED .”{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;}BUT LAST SUNDAY, THE SHOW’S VALENTE’S EPISO NO LS, SL WAS GIVEN A MAJOR PLOT-LE A STORY VOLVG AN EX-FLG, PLAYED BY TV HEARTTHROB (AND RECENTLY REAL-LIFE OUT GAY MAN) RICHARD CHAMBERLA, AGE {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;}SL AND CHAMBERLA’S CHARACTER, JONATHAN, REKDLE A IENDSHIP THAT HAD LONG SCE LAPSED; JONATHAN, TURNS OUT, MAY HAVE BEEN THE ONE WHO ADVERTENTLY FECTED SL WH HIV BACK 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;}BUT SL HAS ROMANTIC FEELGS FOR JONATHAN AND IS UNSURE IF JONATHAN SHAR THEM. WHEN JONATHAN TURNS OUT TO KNOW A GAY FOOD CRIC WHO IS VISG STTY’S RTRANT (FAY TI’ MICHAEL GROSS), SL PRS HIM TO PRETEND TO RPOND TO HIS AFFECTNS ORR TO W STTY A BETTER REVIEW. BUT SL, WHO IS ACTG AS WAER, IS H BY A F OF UNEXPECTED JEALOY, WHICH LEADS HIM TO S LEVELS OF {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 THE END, ALL IS MA RIGHT WHEN SL AND JONATHAN FALLY DO EXPRS THEIR TE FEELGS FOR EACH OTHER. EVEN MORE REMARKABLE, THEY SHARE A FULL KISS AND THEN PART FOR JONATHAN’S APARTMENT WHERE THE IMPLITN IS THEY WILL DO MUCH MORE THAN {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’S HARD TO OVERSTATE HOW UNUAL THIS IS MASTREAM MEDIA, ALTHOUGH, TERTGLY, THE FIRST GAY UPLE TO EVER APPEAR ON SERI TELEVISN WAS AN OLR ONE, GEE AND GORDON NORMAN LEAR’S SHORT-LIVED HOT L BALTIMORE 1975. BUT THE SQUABBLG CHARACTERS WERE ANYTHG BUT {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;}NEXT PAGE! GREG AND PETER BRADY GROW UP AND GO 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;}CHRISTOPHER KNIGHT AND BARRY WILLIAMS AS AN OLR GAY UPLE ON A 2006 EPISO OF THAT 70S {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;}INED, WHEN OLR GAY CHARACTERS HAVE OCSNALLY APPEARED ON TELEVISN, 'S VERY OFTEN AS THE PUNCHLE TO A JOKE, AS EPISOS OF SCBS (WHERE OLR GAY MEN E TO J.D.’S BACKYARD CK TO HOOK UP); THE COSBY SHOW (WHERE BILL ACCINTALLY JOS A BASEBALL TEAM FOR GAY SENRS); JACKASS (WHERE SPIKE JONZE AND JOHNNY KNOXVILLE DRS UP AS A NETY-YEAR-OLD UPLE TO MAKE OUT FOR SPECTATORS); THE DREW CAREY SHOW (WHERE BATMAN'S ADAM WT PLAYS ONE HALF OF AN OLR GAY UPLE TRYG TO RENT A ROOM); FRASIER (WHERE JOHN MAHONEY LEARNS THAT A CHARACTER PLAYED BY DAVID OGN STIERS, HIS WIFE’S WOULD-BE PARAMOUR AND POSSIBLE FATHER TO NIL AND FRASIER, IS GAY); AND THAT 70S SHOW (WHERE THE BRADY BUNCH’S CHRISTOPHER KNIGHT AND BARRY WILLIAMS PLAY A GAY UPLE).{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 SHOWS WHERE THE OLR GAY CHARACTERS ARE NOT PLAYED FOR LGHS, THEY’RE UALLY PLAYED AS OBJECTS OF SYMPATHY, AS AN EPISO OF ER WHERE JOHN MAHONEY PLAYS A DRAG QUEEN CHARACTER WHOSE LONG-TIME PARTNER IS {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;}SOME OF THE RARE EXCEPTNS TO THE "PUNCH LE OR SYMPATHY" LE CLU THE BARELY THERE 61-YEAR-OLD TOM FRIENDLY ON LOST AND 50-ISH SIDNEY SHORR (PLAYED BY TONY RANDALL) ON THE 1981 S LOVE, SIDNEY (ALTHOUGH SIDNEY’S SEXUALY WAS RARELY MENTNED AGA AFTER THE TRODUCTORY TV MOVIE, AND HE HAD ABSOLUTELY NO ROMANTIC LIFE WHATSOEVER).{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;}SWOOSIE KURTZ AND TONY RANDALL LOVE, {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 OTHER WORDS, BY HIGHLIGHTG AN OLR GAY ROMANCE, BROTHERS & SISTERS HAS DONE SOMETHG TLY EXTRAORDARY HERE – AND NOT FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE SHOW’S QUALY HAS BEEN MADNGLY NSISTENT, BUT SHORT OF WILL & GRACE, ’S HARD TO THK OF A SHOW THAT’S BROKEN MORE GAY GROUND, ON ISSU RANGG OM SAME-SEX AFFECTN AND MARRIAGE TO GAY PARENTHOOD AND EVEN MARAL {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;}OLR GAY OR BISEXUAL MALE CHARACTERS ARE RARE FILM AS WELL, ALSO UALLY APPEARG AS IC RELIEF, AS THE BIRD CAGE, LA CAGE AUX FOLL, OR DEATH AT A FUNERAL, OR AS PERIPHERAL CHARACTERS, AS POSEIDON, WH RICHARD DREYFS PLAYG AN OLR GAY MAN TRANGED OM HIS PARTNER, AND THE BROKEN HEARTS CLUB AND TRICK WHERE OLR GAY CHARACTERS (PLAYED JOHN MAHONEY YET AGA, AND STEVE HAY, RPECTIVELY) HAD “MENTOR”-TYPE {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;}RARE FILM EXAMPL OF THREE-DIMENSNAL OLR GAY MALE CHARACTERS CLU GODS AND MONSTERS AND THE UPG FILM BEGNERS, WHERE CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER PLAYS A NEWLY OUT 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;}THE WIZARD ALB DUMBLEDORE WAS A DIGNIFIED OLR GAY MALE CHARACTER, BUT THIS FACT WAS NEVER VELOPED OR EVEN EXPRSED ANY OF THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS OR MOVI – JT SUALLY RELATED AFTER-THE-FACT BY THOR J.K. {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

The last such character, at least such a high-profile TV project, may have been the character of Vce Taylor (Anthony Azizi) on the 2005-2006 seri regular gay or bisexual HIV-posive characters TV history clu Lee Campbell on The Bt Years (a Canadian import that aired on The N 2007), and several characters on the Showtime seri Queer as Folk. Speedy, also known as Mia Dearn, is an HIV-posive superhero troduced on the latt season of Smallville ( a meo), the characters, like most HIV-posive characters on TV to date, are heterosexual — perhaps reflectg the entertament dtry's ambivalence toward HIV/AIDS and their reluctance to rerce the mistaken notn that AIDS is a "gay" by repeatedly promotg the well-tentned ia that you don't have to be gay to get HIV/AIDS, Hollywood has rerced another misperceptn: that most s of HIV fectn the U. Were not among gay and bisexual men when, fact, they were (and still are) last night's Brothers & Sisters episo, Sl is ntacted by an old iend (and one-time romantic tert) via Facebook.

Currently, gay and bisexual men make up half of all HIV fectns the U.

THERE ARE 3 GUYS PLAYG GAY ON B&S, ARE ANY OF THEM GAY REAL LIFE?

Estimat of the number of gay men currently livg wh HIV range om ten percent to forty percent certa ci. A 2010 study of gay men Washgton D. Found that 14% of gay men that cy are night's Brothers & Sisters plot-twist, g the last episo of the season, giv the show an opportuny to al wh an issue that has been ignored by mastream televisn for far too long: HIV fectn among gay and bisexual men, particularly among the also giv the show a chance to do somethg tertg wh Ron Rifk, a talented actor who has been given ltle to do on the show to date, spe the revelatn that he is gay early the send season.

MATTHEW RHYS ON HIS 'REHG' GAY CHARACTER ON 'BROTHERS & SISTERS'

Try fdg a gay man on televisn who is over 50 – much ls a uple of olr gay men beg any way sexual or might have better luck lookg for a bisexual of the very few TV exceptns has been Brothers & Sisters, which featur the character of Sl, played by veteran actor Ron Rifk, who is 71. ”But last Sunday, the show’s Valente’s episo no ls, Sl was given a major plot-le a story volvg an ex-flg, played by TV heartthrob (and recently real-life out gay man) Richard Chamberla, age and Chamberla’s character, Jonathan, rekdle a iendship that had long sce lapsed; Jonathan, turns out, may have been the one who advertently fected Sl wh HIV back the Sl has romantic feelgs for Jonathan and is unsure if Jonathan shar them. When Jonathan turns out to know a gay food cric who is visg Stty’s rtrant (Fay Ti’ Michael Gross), Sl prs him to pretend to rpond to his affectns orr to w Stty a better review.

Even more remarkable, they share a full kiss and then part for Jonathan’s apartment where the implitn is they will do much more than ’s hard to overstate how unual this is mastream media, although, tertgly, the first gay uple to ever appear on seri televisn was an olr one, Gee and Gordon Norman Lear’s short-lived Hot L Baltimore 1975.