Do you think a soap would be brave enough to have a character come out as gay at 14? - Soaps

Johnny King · 11-11-2009, 08:44

Do you think it will ever happen? Focusing purely on a teenager coming to terms with what they are would make a good story.

Anyone agree.

Murray Mint · 11-11-2009, 09:37

It's a good idea, but I daresay the usual prudes and whiners would complain about the storyline - especially if it's an EastEnders storyline!

samj_namesake · 11-11-2009, 09:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murray Mint

It's a good idea, but I daresay the usual prudes and whiners would complain about the storyline - especially if it's an EastEnders storyline!

I was about to say the same thing

I'd love to see a story like that, but no doubt the silly few would complain that their precious little darlings have been corrupted

dd68 · 11-11-2009, 09:47

Surely this will be Ben Mitchell next year?

Its all pointing that way

missyalicia · 11-11-2009, 10:10

i don't think it's right to have a child portray a storyline like that.

the point with Ben was that he was a little older when he came to live with Phil, was very much the opposite to Phil's character, resulting in a difficult transition period. It's not about the boy being gay at all. Although it may happen when he is older as Phil wouldn't like it at all lol.

imo can't see them having any more gay males at the mo but perhaps they would have a female struggle with this dilemma.

BumbleSquat · 11-11-2009, 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by missyalicia

i don't think it's right to have a child portray a storyline like that.

the point with Ben was that he was a little older when he came to live with Phil, was very much the opposite to Phil's character, resulting in a difficult transition period. It's not about the boy being gay at all. Although it may happen when he is older as Phil wouldn't like it at all lol.

imo can't see them having any more gay males at the mo but perhaps they would have a female struggle with this dilemma.

Erm, why?

You go on to discuss Ben in your post, yet Charlie Jones did do a storyline about child abuse. Whitney also had the sexual abuse storyline - so why can't a young teenager deal with a sexuality storyline? Like child abuse, young gay teens do exist so why can't they portray that in a story?

ListedBuzz · 11-11-2009, 11:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by BumbleSquat

Erm, why?

You go on to discuss Ben in your post, yet Charlie Jones did do a storyline about child abuse. Whitney also had the sexual abuse storyline - so why can't a young teenager deal with a sexuality storyline? Like child abuse, young gay teens do exist so why can't they portray that in a story?

The likelihood is they'd hire a sixteen year old to play the fourteen year old anyway.

Don't see why they couldn't, though I suspect they wouldn't, especially EE who's too scared to even show to adult males in a proper relationship.

Murray Mint · 11-11-2009, 11:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by dd68

Surely this will be Ben Mitchell next year?

Its all pointing that way

I think the Square already knows about Benjamin!

BumbleSquat · 11-11-2009, 11:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murray Mint

I think the Square already knows about Benjamin!

How could they not?

DENIAL? ... Really now?

Murray Mint · 11-11-2009, 11:44

And Phil wanted Benjamin to take up boxing!

LittleMissManc · 11-11-2009, 12:46

OMG! is this actually happening???

Has anyone got proof (not eastenders i dont watch it)

ListedBuzz · 11-11-2009, 12:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleMissManc

OMG! is this actually happening???

Has anyone got proof (not eastenders i dont watch it)

Erm... no. this topic is a question...

LittleMissManc · 11-11-2009, 12:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by ListedBuzz

Erm... no. this topic is a question...

Oh ok, sorry.

I don't think they should do it tbh.

samj_namesake · 11-11-2009, 12:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleMissManc

Oh ok, sorry.

I don't think they should do it tbh.

Erm...why not, if I may ask, as I ask I feel a sense of dread creep over me

It might actually prove a useful storyline for any teenager that finds themselves in this kind of position.

LittleMissManc · 11-11-2009, 13:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by samj_namesake

Erm...why not, if I may ask, as I ask I feel a sense of dread creep over me

It might actually prove a useful storyline for any teenager that finds themselves in this kind of position.

I dont think it would, it might make them feel worse if everybody knew about it and they would probably get picked on more.

samj_namesake · 11-11-2009, 13:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleMissManc

I dont think it would, it might make them feel worse if everybody knew about it and they would probably get picked on more.

But thats exactly why it should be handled, sensitively of course. I think part of the ignorance surrounding homosexuals comes from a total lack of understanding, so if it were handled, the viewing public would see how normal it is.

It's a cliche, but through education comes understanding, through understanding comes acceptance.

LittleMissManc · 11-11-2009, 13:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by samj_namesake

But thats exactly why it should be handled, sensitively of course. I think part of the ignorance surrounding homosexuals comes from a total lack of understanding, so if it were handled, the viewing public would see how normal it is.

It's a cliche, but through education comes understanding, through understanding comes acceptance.

It would be nice if that is what happened but religion will get in the way as well and just brainwash into people knowing it is wrong.

Listentome · 11-11-2009, 13:05

Child actors portray a lot of 'adult' stuff. Kids go through such things in real life. When I first moved to London in 1993 I was surprised by how many schoolboys were hanging out in gay bars. I was shocked because coming from the countryside I hadn't come out until I was 20.

So I don't think it is shocking to have a gay teen in a soap. As long as the actor is mature enough to portray the emotions and complexities.

samj_namesake · 11-11-2009, 13:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleMissManc

It would be nice if that is what happened but religion will get in the way as well and just brainwash into people knowing it is wrong.

Hmmm, I see what you're trying to say, unfortunately there will always be ignorant people in the world who will hide behind religion to back up their predjudices, I won't go into that part though, I don't want to turn this into a religious debate

However I think for people who perhaps simply don't understand homosexuality, it might actually help them understand their ignorance and start to change it.

For example, there was uproar amongst the muslim community for the current Christian/Syed storyline, but according to all the actors involved, they've had nothing but positive feedback for the story, so perhaps it has helped open some eyes.

LittleMissManc · 11-11-2009, 14:44

I know all about having religion and been brainwashed into thinking things are wrong but like you said this is about the soap and I'm proably wrong but I think even the fact that people would see that a young person is gay it will make their bullting worse. But i hav got a personal and limited view of it because of stuff so i agree that if it did happen and stopped people being so ignorant then it would be good.

StarryNight · 11-11-2009, 23:52

If handled sensitively I think it would be fine to do that, however only if the child actor is comfortable with it, and I wouldnt blame them if they weren't. Sadly many younger teens would probably be concerned what people may think, actually alot of adults would be as well but in the case of children it may lead to bullying by some ignorant fools.

I think that television needs to include storylines like this because it's time people get over the stigma and stupidity, progress is never going to happen if people arent educated.

chuffnobbler · 12-11-2009, 10:10

Didn't Byker Grove do this, back in the mid 90s?

valkay · 13-11-2009, 23:33

I thought I had read somewhere that the younger Webster girl, I forget her name, Rosies sister, was going to have a lesbian affair.

Banimon! · 14-11-2009, 10:32

I know it's not funny but a year 9 boy at my school came out at his friends sleep over and now none of his friends like him any more, apart from the girls, so I think maybe that story could help.

Author 007 · 14-11-2009, 11:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banimon!

I know it's not funny but a year 9 boy at my school came out at his friends sleep over and now none of his friends like him any more, apart from the girls, so I think maybe that story could help.

When you say friends I think you mean 'friends'...!

11-11-2009, 08:44	#1
Johnny King Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 189	Do you think a soap would be brave enough to have a character come out as gay at 14? Do you think it will ever happen? Focusing purely on a teenager coming to terms with what they are would make a good story. Anyone agree.

11-11-2009, 09:37	#2
Murray Mint Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,702	It's a good idea, but I daresay the usual prudes and whiners would complain about the storyline - especially if it's an EastEnders storyline!

11-11-2009, 09:47	#4
dd68 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: London Services: Sky+ Posts: 5,745	Surely this will be Ben Mitchell next year? Its all pointing that way

11-11-2009, 10:10	#5
missyalicia Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 348	i don't think it's right to have a child portray a storyline like that. the point with Ben was that he was a little older when he came to live with Phil, was very much the opposite to Phil's character, resulting in a difficult transition period. It's not about the boy being gay at all. Although it may happen when he is older as Phil wouldn't like it at all lol. imo can't see them having any more gay males at the mo but perhaps they would have a female struggle with this dilemma.

11-11-2009, 11:44	#10
Murray Mint Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,702	And Phil wanted Benjamin to take up boxing!

11-11-2009, 12:46	#11
LittleMissManc Inactive Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Altrincham Posts: 625	OMG! is this actually happening??? Has anyone got proof (not eastenders i dont watch it)

11-11-2009, 13:05	#18
Listentome Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,298	Child actors portray a lot of 'adult' stuff. Kids go through such things in real life. When I first moved to London in 1993 I was surprised by how many schoolboys were hanging out in gay bars. I was shocked because coming from the countryside I hadn't come out until I was 20. So I don't think it is shocking to have a gay teen in a soap. As long as the actor is mature enough to portray the emotions and complexities.

11-11-2009, 14:44	#20
LittleMissManc Inactive Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Altrincham Posts: 625	I know all about having religion and been brainwashed into thinking things are wrong but like you said this is about the soap and I'm proably wrong but I think even the fact that people would see that a young person is gay it will make their bullting worse. But i hav got a personal and limited view of it because of stuff so i agree that if it did happen and stopped people being so ignorant then it would be good.

11-11-2009, 23:52	#21
StarryNight Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 859	If handled sensitively I think it would be fine to do that, however only if the child actor is comfortable with it, and I wouldnt blame them if they weren't. Sadly many younger teens would probably be concerned what people may think, actually alot of adults would be as well but in the case of children it may lead to bullying by some ignorant fools. I think that television needs to include storylines like this because it's time people get over the stigma and stupidity, progress is never going to happen if people arent educated.

12-11-2009, 10:10	#22
chuffnobbler Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,538	Didn't Byker Grove do this, back in the mid 90s?

13-11-2009, 23:33	#23
valkay Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,249	I thought I had read somewhere that the younger Webster girl, I forget her name, Rosies sister, was going to have a lesbian affair.

14-11-2009, 10:32	#24
Banimon! Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: hugging jack :) Services: to Glasvegas! The best band out there! Posts: 1,356	I know it's not funny but a year 9 boy at my school came out at his friends sleep over and now none of his friends like him any more, apart from the girls, so I think maybe that story could help.