Gays of our Lives (April 06, 2009)

SPECIAL REPORT: THE STATE OF THE GAYS EUROPEAN EDITION

When it comes to European soap operas, it was only late last year that this very site was touting the quality of gay characters on those shows as vastly superior to those in America.

After all, Forbidden Love’s Christian and Olli were just starting that glorious march toward the best gay love story of 2008. Roman and Deniz from All That Matters were still steaming up the screen with their relationship. Wedding bells chimed across England for Paul and Jonny on Emmerdale. Meanwhile, over on Hollyoaks, John Paul was dealing with his feelings for both Kieron and Craig while Coronation Street’s Sean Tully was looking forward to fatherhood in a front burner storyline.

But since then, almost everything has changed for these shows – and not for the better. Spring 2009 is upon us and, just as the robins and crocuses are appearing, many of these gay characters and storylines have disappeared. Either the characters were written out of their respective series, back-burnered to the point of being barely there, or are simply ill used in poorly written plotlines. And some simply never even found a place on their respective shows despite being on the stage for some time.

Since his debut on the show EastEnders’ Christian has been
poorly used – when he’s appeared at all

In fact, as hard as it might be to believe, these days American shows such as United States of Tara and As The World Turns have better used their gay characters than many of their European counterparts. And new American shows such as NBC’s Kings and Southland have joined the schedule, adding even more gay diversity to the American landscape.

With that in mind, I’m taking time out this week to look at the state of gay characters on several European soaps that formerly gave us much to cheer about, but lately have left us feeling like poor little Oliver Twist saying, “Please, Sir, I want some more.”

For each of the shows discussed below, I include their former highs, their current lows, as well as a few thoughts about where each series is going plus an overall “Nuke” grade for each.

What “Matters” is Telling Good Stories

All That Matters – Last year ATM told the very steamy love story of figure skater Roman Wild (out actor Dennis Grabosch and hockey player Deniz Öztürk (Igor Dolgastschew). Roman was openly gay and Deniz, despite being straight until that point, found himself attracted to the figure skater. The two fell in love, but it didn’t last long.

Inexplicably, Deniz started sleeping with a woman named Vanessa as well as Roman, lying and manipulating both his lovers. Once the truth came out, Vanessa ended things with Deniz who started doing drugs. Except for the occasional hookup, he and Roman’s relationship was pretty much over and Roman went on the back burner.

Meanwhile, Deniz went on to have serious relationships with a number of different women. Currently, the two men are again in one another’s orbits as they compete in a pairs skating match. But a reunion seems unlikely and both men (and even the show to an extent) act as if the Roman/Deniz relationship never happened.

What the show did best: Pretty much any love scene between the two men. While their relationship was a love story, it was also quite erotic, possibly even more so than the Olli/Christian relationship on Forbidden Love. And though I say this at the risk of angering their legions of fans, I always felt Roman and Deniz’ bond was more physical than emotional.