2008 Gay Pop Culture Wish List

2007 was a disappointing year in terms of gay visibility. With it now behind us, we thought we’d offer up fifteen pop culture possibilities that we’d be thrilled to see fulfilled in the coming year. Call it our 2008 wish list. From gay celebrity wedding photos splashed across the tabloids to a break-out romantic comedy triumphing at the box office, here are our humble suggestions for making 2008 the best gay year ever.

My Big Fat Gay Wedding – A gay romantic comedy breaks out

With last year a bust in terms of gay movies and movies with gay characters (including the well-intentioned but poorly executed I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry and the flat-out homophobic Wild Hogs), we have to believe that this year things can only get better. And what would truly help make this a banner year is for a small independent romantic comedy about two gay men to unexpectedly become a huge breakout hit.

What better way to demonstrate to Middle America the unfairness of keeping gays from getting married than with a romantic comedy about two young lovers trying to make it to the altar for their big day? It would have cute flower girls, mothers weeping with joy, fathers grumbling about paying for their son's wedding, and all sorts of wacky hijinks. Besides, everyone loves a fairytale romance and a happy ending. We think 2002’s My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which came out of nowhere to score $356 million in ticket sales, is the perfect template for what we have in mind.

As the World Turns does good on its Luke and Noah promises

As the World Turns set the bar high in their impressive handling of the first legit gay male romance in daytime television history. By “legit” we mean that the characters, Luke Snyder and Noah Mayer, have actually kissed and expressed their love for each other. But in recent months, fans of “Nuke” have been put off by an apparent reticence on the part of the show to allow the couple’s physical relationship to move forward; in fact, they stalled at their second kiss months ago and have become an old married couple without ever having enjoyed a honeymoon.

On the Christmas episode the two even found themselves under the mistletoe, but weren’t shown kissing thanks to a last-second tilt of the camera. Is the show caving to pressure from conservatives? They assure us that they’re not, but the proof needs to be in the (figgy) pudding.

We have a high-profile celebrity gay wedding

Yes, we know that legally gays can’t get married except in Massachusetts. But since when does Hollywood play by the rules? There is little doubt a well-known gay couple having a wedding/commitment ceremony covered by the tabs and mainstream press would be huge for gay visibility and acceptance. Such has already been the case in the U.K. where Elton John’s nuptials with partner David Furnish were big news (as was John Barrowman’s wedding to partner Scott Gill). Not only would such an event help to normalize gay relationships, but, if done right (a stretch, we admit) the event could also be used to educate heterosexual Americans to the literally thousands of rights to which gay folks are denied.

Now, Neil and David (Patrick Harris and Burtka, of course), we’re not being pushy or anything, and by the looks of it you already wear rings anyway, so this may be oh-so-several-seasons-ago for you. But if not, and if you do decide to have a big, lavish, star-studded party to celebrate your love and sell exclusive photo rights to People Magazine, you can put us down for the best blender Target stocks on its shelves.