Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist opened over the weekend, and in addition to a killer soundtrack and sweet romance, it also featured that rarity in a straight teen oriented film...positive gay characters.

In reading Brian's review, it's obvious that the gay characters of Thom and Dev are an intergral part of the movie, and treated with as much respect as the straight characters:

It's beyond reassuring to see a teen comedy where gay panic is not even a consideration, even as a joke. These characters clearly don't see anything wrong with themselves or with their friends being gay, and they have zero patience for anyone who does (as evidenced when Norah's slimy ex-boyfriend stresses the "gay" in "gay band" and Nick doesn't take the bait).

There are no backhanded insults or talking down to anyone, or any fear that being with the gay guys is a threat to one's manhood, reputation, or own sexuality. It may seriously be the first truly "post-gay" straight romance movie.

This got us thinking about the history of mainstream teen oriented films, and how gay teen characters have either been invisible, or relegated to "barely there" status. Nowhere is this more evident than in the films of John Hughes, who was responsible for such teen classics as Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club and Some Kind of Wonderful. They're all beloved, but if you scratch the surface, you'll find that gays don't exist in the Hughes teen world (I mean, c'mon, are you telling me that Duckie couldn't have been written as gay in Pretty in Pink, or Cameron in Ferris Bueller?)

It could be worse, though. If you look at how gays are treated in a teen movie like Cruel Intentions, maybe invisibility is better. The gay character in that movie, Blaine (and you know he's evil, because no good guy in any movie has ever been named Blaine) is amoral and predatory, and while it's true that other straight characters are the same way, Blaine's only role in the film is to be the evil queer who uses innocent straight guys.

However, there have been some gay characters in straight teen movies that, while still only achieving "barely there" status, have managed to ingratiate themselves and make an impression. Here are a few...

Huntley Ritter as "Les" in Bring It On

In the Kirsten Dunst cheerleader epic Bring It On, there are several guys on her squad, one of whom, named Les (Huntley Ritter) is openly gay (we know this because someone asks him "do you speak fag?" to which he responds "Fluently"). He gets more than just a throwaway line and acknowledgment, though. He also gets a chance to flirt with other guys, is smart and sincere, and the only time his gayness is a liability is when he's the brunt of lame homophobic comments from some of the jocks who resort to name calling out of frustration that Les obviously doesn't care what they think.

Larry B. Scott as "Lamar" in Revenge of the Nerds

Outrageously flamboyant, the character of Lamar Latrell (Larry B. Scott) would easily be the brunt of ridicule in a lesser movie, but in Revenge of the Nerds, he's one of the heroes. He and his fellow nerds come together and support each other, and as a family, they become the big men on campus (c'mon, you know you wanna sing it..."clap your hands everybody, and everybody clap your hands".

See more gays in teen films after the break.

Gordon Michael Woolvett

When I went to the theater to see Bride of Chucky, it was for the sole purpose of seeing the fabulous Jennifer Tilly, so I wasn't prepared (but pleasantly surprised) to also see the portrayal of a terrific gay character named Dave (Gordon Michael Woolvett). He was the best friend of the lead teen couple, but was important to the early part of the story, and it was obvious they all had a lot of love and affection for each other. It's just too bad his last scene was as a crushed bug on the grill of a Mack truck.

Justin Walker as "Christian" in Clueless

Yes, he's shallow and superficial...but so is everyone else in this film. When Christian (Justin Walker) enters the scene, he instantly becomes the crush of Cher (Alicia Silverstone) but soon his love of dancing and movies like, um... Sparatacus makes Cher accept the fact that they will never have a romantic relationship. But he does become her favorite shopping partner.

Daniel Franzese

Playing the "too gay too function" Damian in Mean Girls, Daniel Franzese took what could have been a "barely there" character, and made him stand out in every scene he was in.

Chad Faust

Chad Faust played the character of Dean in Saved!, who was a conflicted teen sent to a brainwashing camp when he revealed he was gay (but not before getting a girl pregnant). Absent for most of the film, he does come back near the end to help save the day and take responsibility for his child,. He also decides that it's okay to be gay and Christian, because Jesus loves him anyway.

Paul McCrane as "Montgomery MacNeil" in Fame

Montgomery MacNeil (Paul McCrane) had a rough time of it at the High School for the Performing Arts in Fame. First of all, his name was Montgomery MacNeil. He was also gay and awkward and geeky, and didn't feel like he fit in with anyone else there. But he also smart, and funny, and a good friend.

Do you have a favorite gay character from a straight teen film? Let us know in the comments!