SPECIAL REPORT: Can Gay Characters Exist on Your Favorite Soap?

They were often verboten in the past, but with the upcoming return of Ashley Jones as Parker, the object of Kristina’s affections, on General Hospital, daytime has two same sex storylines involving women–the other being Tessa and Mariah’s developing relationship on The Young and the Restless.

But do fans want to see same sex storylines? And how do producers and performers feel about bringing those tales to life? Read this special report to gain some insights.

Frank Talk
“I don’t think telling a [(same sex] storyline is different from telling any other story,” Frank Valentini, GH’s executive producer tells Soap Hub. “This is a romance between two people. It shouldn’t matter what their sexes are. To say that it’s ‘different’ just points out people’s inherent prejudices.”

Jones says she experienced some raised eyebrows over Parker and Kristina’s relationship, “but the negative comments have been about the age difference between the two characters.”

Marc Samuel’s character Felix was part of a bona fide triangle (a rarity with gay characters) with Lucas and Brad.

“I come from a perspective having watched TV that was more of homogenized world,” Samuels shares. “It didn’t have much in terms of diversity.

“You didn’t see people of color or people who were gay unless they were portrayed as clowns or villains. It was amazing that GH took the step [to bring Felix on]. I hope that TV continues to grow.”

Every Action Has A Reaction
In this age of social media, fans can respond instantly not only to storylines but to actors directly.  One Y&R watcher tweeted to Camryn Grimes (Mariah) that “you know once the writers of YR pair you up as a L [lesbian] your time on YR will end.”

The actress, who’s had two stints in Genoa City, tweeted back: “I managed to last 20 years and one death…I’ll take my chances.”

Another poster, siding with Grimes, tweeted, “That’s a ridiculous thing to say…she’s a actress…I’m loving this new role.”

Equal Representation
Days of Our Lives currently has two gay characters on the show – Sonny and Paul and now it’s been reported that Chandler Massey is coming back to Salem.

While his character Will was killed on-camera, fans are hoping that Massey will be reprising Marlena’s gay grandson and not play a look-alike or retroactively created twin.

The Bold and the Beautiful broke ground when Karla Mosley’s Maya was revealed as transgender. Maya and Rick are happily wed, but their problems continue.

Maya’s dad still can’t seem to accept her given the fact he passionately supported her sister Nicole when she was having second thoughts about giving her child to Maya and Rick.

Time will tell if soaps continue with same sex storylines.

“[Shows] could do what they’ve done in the past and back off, afraid of losing sponsors and viewers,” Samuel muses. “Or they could see the big picture – we all live here. Every single one of us lives here. The world is filled with [different people]. It’s what makes the world work.”

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