TFlo1018

 Since I saw a post above mention that they have not seen a gay man post on this issue I thought I’d share.  

I hate to bursy anyones bubble but if you have a problem with ONLY the gay love scenes (albeit making out or them in bed together) that does in fact make you homophobic.  If you are uncomfortable with it then you have a level of homophobia in you that you are not quite aware of or want to admit to.  Put it this way – would you say "oh she’s pretty for a black girl" and not expect someone to label that as racist?  Admitting you are uncomfortable watching gays share affection on any level is homophobic – no other way around it.  If a heterosexual person said they were uncomfortable watching heterosexual couples make out on the show as well, so be it.  You’re uncomfortable with any type of PDA.  Totally makes sense.  The night time soaps of the 80s left a LOT to the imagination – some people just prefer that.  

I also think it’s a bit naive to think that b/c an actor can/wants to play "gay" on a show that we should question their sexuality.  If an actor rapes someone on a show, do we think he can be a rapist in real life?  If an actor is racist on a show with such conviction that they win an award, do we question if they are racist in real life?  

Soaps are supposed to be a mix of an escape with a tackle on what is real and relevant in the world.  Like it or not there are gays out there – we exist.  Women (not all but some) watch soaps b/c they want their own "Bo Brady" to sweep them up onto a motorcycle correct?  Why can’t we (gay men) watch someone we can relate to as well?  I started watching DOOL hard core (always watched it as a kid playing with my toys) when Sami debuted on the show.  I felt, at the time, wow – a teen that is relevant.  I felt like I grew up with her b/c she was 2 years older on the show then I was at the time.  I felt a connection – just like I feel a connection with the gay characters now.  

I don’t idolize Sonny or Will but as a gay man in his 30’s I can relate to how they are both feeling and what they are going through (minus the whole kid part.)  Being gay is very difficult and the way DOOL is handling this storyline with them is incredible.  I’m often weary when a soap (especially DOOL) tackles any type of real emotion or social issue but they’ve done this with class and taste and I appluad them for that.  Somewhere, some gay young man is watching this and feeling better about himself b/c of the job they are doing (especially Chandler.)  For those on here who say they gay men they "know" don’t act like Will/Sonny, well perhaps they don’t.  But if your "gay friends" are over the age of 50 they probably never had the chance to do so.  I was open about my sexuality in my late teens/early 20s b/c it was okay to be myself.  I hate to break it to anyone but we kiss, make love and have fights just like the rest of you.  DOOL is just showing that and it’s no more or no less then Brady/Kristen or Marlena/John.  Simply put, if you don’t like it then FF but please don’t say that it bothers you but you’re not homophobic b/c you are.  AND you’re a hypocrite too.