10/27/2009
Paramedic Comes Out of the Closet on NBC's Trauma
On last night's episode of NBC's Trauma, paramedic Tyler Briggs (played by Kevin Rankin, who you may know as Herc from Friday Night Lights) came out to his highly religious partner Cameron Boone (Derek Luke).
Rankin told Greg in Hollywood: “I’ve played a gay character twice. I’ve played transgender. I was excited to take on the responsibility of not playing a stereotype, not making it a deviant thing. I am excited to shoulder that responsibility – very excited.”
Watch the coming out scene, AFTER THE JUMP...
Posted 9:25 AM EST by Andy Towle in News, Playing Gay, Television | Permalink
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Based on comments to other posts yesterday, I guess I can look forward to seeing more today blaming the black character for all the homophobia in the world.
Posted by: Paul R | Oct 27, 2009 9:31:49 AM
I don't know the comments you refer to, however, when I first read this post, and not knowing the show, I thought, "Great, they probably tried to meet some "minority quota" by having a person of color also be the gay one (i.e. Greek, True Blood, etc.), so I guess "damn if you do, damn if you don't!"
Posted by: Alex | Oct 27, 2009 9:50:04 AM
Paul R is right. He's talking about the Larry Johnson post yesterday.
AND THE HATE SPEWING AGAINST African Americans
In 5...4...3...2...1
you're on girls!
Posted by: Chris | Oct 27, 2009 10:24:04 AM
I agree with Paul R, when i was watching i just knew it was going to be derek and kevin's character, it was either derek would be "on the down low" or derek would be the homophobic character.
the script was good though, it was well written and acted.
Posted by: johnosahon | Oct 27, 2009 10:30:54 AM
Watch this show get canceled now...
Posted by: alan brickman | Oct 27, 2009 10:47:05 AM
will have to go and watch it now. i've been unable to get into the show although i've tried. now i have more incentive to try.
Posted by: DR | Oct 27, 2009 10:55:58 AM
I have watched the show directly but I know that since the first episode there have been a lot of complaints about the poor representation of EMS providers. I don't know if having this issue addressed on what is perceived to be a crappy program helps us or hurts us.
Boycott page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=144440102108&v=info
Letter from the International Association of Fire Chiefs: http://www.iafc.org/associations/4685/files/ems_ltrToNBCreTramaShow090930.pdf
Posted by: Ed | Oct 27, 2009 11:12:04 AM
Wow, a gay person in SF -- that's not in drag -- who would guess?!?!?!? Am waiting for the show to actually show an Asian-American (east asian, which is the majority in the city...not sure what Rabbit is). Chinese, filipino -- hello, did the producers only stay in the marina? This is the whitest SF I've ever seen. And like all shows it's all about black and white....like it's set in Nashville. African-Americans are not THE minority in SF (and that chaps them). I'm sorry it's the polically correct thing is to say "naw, african americans are not more anti-gay," but the reality in SF, at least, is different. The homophobia shown here is quite common in the less-affluent African-American communities in the city and throughout the east bay, sparked by economic and educations factors and churches like elsewhere, but in SF there's a level of frustration (so many groups chinese, filipino, vietnamese, indian, LGBT and all mixes of each) that they feel they're being squeezed out. Again, it;s not like, say St. Louis, where there are (% wise) just whites and blacks -- in SF there is more competition just to be heard. The chance to discriminate against someone (whether voting YEs on prop 8 or simply harassing gays) is relished by SOME. Even the black homeless (usually from back east) are most apt to shout gay slurs. The fairly large % of gov't leaders in SF are african-american generally are quite vocal in their support of the LGBT community, but they also don;t often live in the same neighborhoods as those that aren't.
Posted by: william | Oct 27, 2009 11:58:20 AM
Thought all this was handled VERY WELl in a sensitive and open light. Trauma is VERY INTENSE but even just after the pilot-I found myself drawn to the characters. Its great to see a gay man shown is a positive light my a major network -Thanks NBC
Posted by: slippy | Oct 27, 2009 12:42:00 PM
Meh. We've had characters "coming out" on television and in movies for over thirty years. How about this for a change: give him a boyfriend, and dramatize the relationship as it develops. Inevitably, when a character officially comes out, he or she pretty much winds up a sexless, celibate eunuch, the "token" queer for both comic relief and liberal self-congratulation.
Posted by: Rick | Oct 27, 2009 2:47:59 PM
I have been watching this show since it began and really enjoy it. I watched the episode on 10/26/09 where the EMT came out to his partner who happens to be black. Earlier on in the show the black character was doing trick or treat with his girls and came upon a gay couples house. After the girls got there treat they said something to the effect of daddy n daddy. Further on the father of the two girls was mentioning to his parther that he did not like the way gay people have to be so open and up in others face.
The great moment was when the character came out as gay and the show eneded with him asking his partner didn't you know or even suspect and he said that ya he had his suspicions. It was a great show but just like a previous poster said I hope NBC does the right thing and move this story in the "right" direction. You should be able to view this episode online at nbc.com.
Posted by: Jon | Oct 27, 2009 6:00:37 PM
Instinct has an interview with the actor in their latest issue. It's pretty good.
Posted by: Bobby | Oct 28, 2009 12:50:50 AM