02/22/2008
Fans Protest Bias Against Gay Affection on As the World Turns
A group of As the World Turns fans have started an online campaign aimed at the show's producers and Procter and Gamble claiming that CBS treats the love between gay characters Luke and Noah differently than it treats the heterosexual couples on the show. While the show has presented a groundbreaking storyline, fans say that while heterosexual couples are given graphic love and kissing scenes, Luke (Van Hansis) and Noah's (Jake Silbermann) affection takes place mainly off-screen, and passionate kisses are few and far between.
"It all started last Christmas, when Luke and Noah, the young gay couple on 'As The World Turns,' were about to kiss. Though fans had seen them kiss before, this time the camera panned up to the mistletoe. Over the next few months, while heterosexual couples were kissing, Nuke (as fans call the couple) was restricted to holding hands, playing with one another's neck scarves and sharing meaningful looks. Ensuing complaints of discrimination to CBS and the show's producer and sponsor, Procter & Gamble, had no effect. And the last straw apparently arrived on Valentine's Day, when every other couple but Nuke shared a kiss. They hugged instead. Online fans began a nationwide media blitz on Feb. 20 to bring attention to the show, which has been twice nominated for an award from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). 'Presenting a gay couple on television only to relegate them to insulting hugs and slaps on the back is the 21st century version of putting African Americans on the back of the bus,' wrote one disgruntled fan named Tony. 'We're simply supposed to be happy that we got the ride at all. This is 2008, and yet CBS and Procter & Gamble are clearly stuck in the past.' GLAAD media spokesman Damon Romine agreed with them that, 'while tremendous strides have been made on soaps, it's clear that we're not at a place where gay and transgender people are treated the same on daytime as they are on prime-time or cable.'"
AFTER THE JUMP, a fan-created video called "Luke and Noah: (A Distinct Lack Of) Passionate Kisses" set to "Passionate Kisses" by Mary Chapin Carpenter.
The fan who created this video wrote on its YouTube page: "This is a protest video of sorts for the way that Luke and Noah have been treated on As the World Turns. The show's continued intimation that affection between two gay guys in love is shameful is itself shameful. I chose this song because the lyrics say it all, whether they are construed as being from one boy to the other or from the fans to the show."
Support Luke and Noah [official site]
Soap fans claim bias against gay characters [la times]
Previously
As the World Turns to Get First Teenage Gay Kiss [tr]
Towleroad Guide to the Tube #160 [tr]
Towleroad Guide to the Tube #159 [tr]
Towleroad Guide to the Tube #150 [tr]
Towleroad Guide to the Tube #141 [tr]
Posted 8:52 AM EST by Andy in News, Soap Operas, Television, Van Hansis | Permalink
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I'm torn between appreciating the fact that the show has given us this bold and unique story line at all, and anger that we can't see more affection. We haven't seen a kiss in many months and it really has gotten to the point of ridiculous.
It's obvious that higher-ups at CBS have ordered the producers not to show Luke and Noah kissing anymore. To their credit, the producers are doing the best work-around they can - showing lots of hand-holding, hugging, near-kisses and even sexy talk between the guys.
I'm afraid if we complain too much it will be easier for them to just write Luke and Noah out of the show completely.
Posted by: phil heffley | Feb 22, 2008 9:13:41 AM
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Posted by: Sean | Feb 22, 2008 9:14:24 AM
I would rather they write Luke and Noah off completely than present a less than flattering picture of who we are as gay citizens. We are way pass the "being visible/present" phase.
Posted by: tim | Feb 22, 2008 9:30:54 AM
The Luke and Noah storyline has been put on the back burner for months, true, but the show as a whole has been an utter mess for several months...maybe do to the writer's strike and the recent firings of several major actors/characters. I am giving the show and P&G the benefit of the doubt for now and hope they will get back on track soon. To be honest, I'm kind of grateful they put Luke & Noah on the back burner the past few months. I can only imagine how their storyline and characters would have been ruined like several other story lines on the show have been recently. I'm hoping for the best.
Posted by: Patrick | Feb 22, 2008 9:38:41 AM
The reality is for too many gays “you are damned if you do and damned if you don't."
It is a soap opera and YES it is refreshing to see "gay characters" on daytime television, but it is a soap opera.
Let's focus on what can happen on these shows: children get to be adults in 3 years while the old never die; men who rape women marry them; actors fall down elevators only to be told as a dream; where dogs can talk with people; puppets can drive cars; where black men actually have a job.
Soap operas are a train wreck of drama to begin with why expect them to treat the "gay characters" with any more clarity than other storylines.
Stop the protest and go volunteer at a retirement home, your local school, organize a food drive for those in need.
Please go and do something that really matters and can affect someone's life including your own.
Posted by: Charles | Feb 22, 2008 9:54:20 AM
Like it or not (I don't), soap operas along with other daytime shows have helped to construct public opinion and acceptance since their genesis on the radiowaves.
To suggest that they don't "really matter" is disingenuous and naive. These shows are a part of many people's realities - it is unfortunately where many get their modern parables, fables, and myths.
Posted by: Rey | Feb 22, 2008 10:03:43 AM
The reality is, Charles, that we can volunteer at a retirement home, school, whatever AND still care about a daytime soap opera. Why does it have to be one or the other? Why imply that those of us who care about the gay characters on this show aren't as productive as you are? Are you Mother Theresa, spending all your time on charity work?
Posted by: jim | Feb 22, 2008 10:03:51 AM
While the inclusion must be praised, one can respectfully give facts to question the equality of the characters. YouTube's LukeVanFan presents a wonderful "factual" video depicting the Valentine's Day special where every couple kissed--except Luke & Noah. That is not even separate but equal status!
Posted by: ROB | Feb 22, 2008 10:06:12 AM
Yea..this is pure BS..when character such as Erica Kane can marry and divorce up too 10x by now..I lost count...they show cpls in a shower behind steamy glass...but ohhh God forbid 2 guys actually kiss..pa-leeez. Like the one opinion said - its like having a seat at the back of the bus...and NOT being able to sit down...Im so sick of Hypocritcal America! Blacks would NEVER put up with this BS!
Posted by: Disgusted American | Feb 22, 2008 10:22:32 AM
Excellent read-out, Charles. Most legendary of all was the soap that several decades back decided it ddin't like any of its acotrs, put them all on a bus and had said bus drive off a cliff. The next day a whole new cast and characters were in place going on as if nothing had happened.
My advice to Nuke -- DON'T GET ON THE BUS!!!!
Posted by: David Ehrenstein | Feb 22, 2008 10:27:17 AM
I am deeply insulted that some of you are using the systematic, unfair and abusive treatment of countless blacks from slavery to present day (while building the economic strength of a nation) as a comparison to "soap opera characters"; these people (Luke and Noah) ARE NOT real.
Posted by: Charles | Feb 22, 2008 10:35:09 AM
Deeply insulted Charles: You need to lighten up. Shouldn't you be using your time better - on some charity work or something, as you said we should be - rather than monitoring and posting messages about a mere soap with non-real people? To quote yourself, "go and do something that really matters."
Posted by: jim | Feb 22, 2008 10:55:24 AM
Wake up, Charles. If you can't understand the homophobia in this storyline being worth discussing for the entire gay community and the fight for social acceptance, then I wonder why you even bother reading a blog dedicated to fighting for change.
Posted by: Billy | Feb 22, 2008 11:55:40 AM
I have to admit I started Tivoing ATWT because of this story line (thanks to this BLOG) and got bored pretty quick. I, however, have stayed for the HOT doctor Chris Hughes.
Posted by: Patrick | Feb 22, 2008 12:01:19 PM
I actually abhor soap operas(harsh,I know),partly because the stories re not realistic but also because I simply get bored quickly. However, almost everybody in my family watches Y&R, and to my knowledge there's no gay storyline on that one(right?) and that actually doubles my aversion towards such shows. I applaud anyone who watches these(no sarcasm here) and I'm glad someone is finally campaigning against this overt homophobia from CBS. And CHARLES, I don't know, but gays (black or otherwise) are still generally mistreated worldwide while "building the economic strength" of every nation they're in. I should know, I'm black, gay AND an immigrant.
Posted by: Shabaka | Feb 22, 2008 12:38:15 PM
How can you ruin a soap opera?
Posted by: anon | Feb 22, 2008 1:42:39 PM
I find the campaign worthwhile and the video cute (I love blonds), but who has this much time on their hands? Compiling that video must have taken ages!
Posted by: Paul R | Feb 22, 2008 5:18:42 PM
I think that if you go with a storyline like this one, you have to be prepared to go all the way.
Posted by: paul | Feb 22, 2008 7:45:37 PM
I just wish someone on network American TV had balls. The storyline has been done before and dropped, it's not gutsy. Who are they afraid of? Their ratings already suck! controversy seemed to work in their favor for one kiss, why not run with it. They're getting worse PR by wimping out than they would be going for it.
If this were 1992 I'd be giving them kudos but...sheesh. I'm caught in a time warp and it's Melrose Place all over again.
Posted by: Nonie | Feb 22, 2008 7:51:45 PM
It's not quite Melrose Place. Doug Savant's character had *one* suggestion of a kiss (which they immediately cut away from), and no physical affection. Ever. He was almost entirely celibate (yet Roseanne had the big lesbian kiss with no problem---since straight men control a lot of programming).
Plus these are teens, and it's daytime TV. I'm surprised we haven't heard more complaints from fans who are "deeply offended" by a protrayal of gay anything, much less teens.
And Paul, I think we're all hoping they come up with a straight-to-video, not-safe-for-TV version where they do indeed "go all the way." I don't watch this show other than through the clips posted on Towleroad, but that's a plot line I would happily follow.
Posted by: Paul R | Feb 22, 2008 8:47:56 PM
I feel that if your going to have a gay couple on the soaps or movies. Male or female. That the couple should be allowed to kiss and show other sexual contact that
straights have on these type of programs.
This is the 21 st. century not the 20 th.
I know alot of shows are christan related, but if you want to make the story line to relate to todays world you need to have some form of gay relationship. Male or female to get the whole picture of todays world.
Posted by: Dave | Feb 23, 2008 2:34:52 PM
Wait a second-- "we're not at a place where gay and transgender people are treated the same on daytime as they are on prime-time or cable"?
How exactly are gay and trans people being treated on prime-time? I very much agree that their portrayal on cable is much more fair than daytime soaps, but prime-time?! Prime-time is just as much, if not MORE, stuck in the dark ages when it comes to gay couples.
Prime-time is full of gay characters, but there is an absurd lack of gay RELATIONSHIPS on prime-time. Frankly, these soap fans get more than prime-time viewing audiences in the way of gay characters' sexuality being explored onscreen, with VERY few exceptions.
Posted by: Hope | Mar 5, 2008 3:18:55 PM