(Berlanti, Rhimes, Horta, Lindelof, Cuse, Cherry; Photo credit: Getty Images/Frederick M. Brown)

Looking at ABC showrunners panel, it's really not surprising that the network topped GLAAD's recent rating of the networks (as well as ours) in regards to GLBT diversity (and diversity of any sort, actually). In the above photo we've got three out gay men — Silvio Horta (Ugly Betty), Marc Cherry (Desperate Housewives) and Greg Berlanti (Brothers & Sisters, Eli Stone) — two people of color — Horta and Shonda Rhimes (Grey's Anatomy) — and four white guys — Berlanti, Cherry, Damon Lindelof (Lost), Carlton Cuse (Lost). Trust me, few other panels come with this much diversity unless actually somehow focused on that very thing.

Cherry quickly showed he had a way with quips. At one point the panel was discussing the recent writers strike which a number of the panelists had helped organize and run. Turns out there were a lot of sports metaphors thrown around during the negotiations. Said Cherry about that:

[The others said], "Okay. Look. It's the fourth down. We have to approach this." I go, "Why is it all sports metaphors? Why doesn't anybody use musical theater metaphors?" [Laughter.] So I actually got them to try to use Eliza Doolittle as a comparison on occasion.

Greg Berlanti, Silivo Horta, Marc Cherry (Photo credit: Getty Image/Frederick M. Brown)

Cherry again appeared later in the day for the Desperate Housewives panel and, believe it or not, someone else besides me asked a gay question. I guess he didn't get the memo that was my beat. Anyway, this turf-stealing journalist asked Cherry just what the heck has happened to Andrew and whether Cherry mirrored him in any way. Said Cherry:

"For me I think that the first season he really mirrored it. I actually did a scene from my life in that first season because I had my mom — and probably the only ugly moment I've ever had in my life when I came out to my mother, she told me that the only thing that concerned was that she wouldn't see me in heaven. And that was kind of hard to deal with given the fact that I had had kind of this idyllic relationship with her my entire life.

So what I got to do with Andrew was I got to get someone who was in her face, and I think I worked out a lot of my residual anger towards a woman that I completely adore because I made him this raving psychopath, and you know, writing is good for your soul. (Laughter.) And the truth is I got all that stuff out, and the thing that — once I did all this stuff with Andrew it was like, you know, I adore my mom. So what I thought was really cool is last season, you know, having Andrew and Bree come to terms again, and Bree is now kind of like my mother. She knows he's gay. Just don't talk about it."

More from Cherry and the rest after the break!

GLASS (Gay Adolescent Social Services) is a Los Angeles based non-profit organization that delivers social and health care services to self-identified Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) and HIV/AIDS impacted youth.

This past Sunday in LA, 450 people attended the GLASS "Home for the Holidays" brunch. Among the guests were a veritable who's who of out gay and lesbian celebrities. Wilson Cruz, T.R. Knight, Alec Mapa, Rex Lee, Robert Gant, Peter Paige and a host of others all showed up to lend support to GLASS and help raise funds for the 19 foster group homes that GLASS runs for at-risk LGBT youth. The pics here are all courtesy QueerDiva and photographer Tony Dimaio.

Nelson Melegrito (QueerDIVA), T.R. Knight & Marc Cherry

JD Disalvatore, Wilson Cruz & Charlie David (more after the break!)

An interview with Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry ran today over at USA Today where he opens up a bit about where the couple is headed and why they're on Wisteria Lane to begin with:

"In capturing the gay suburban experience, the joke is they have the same issues as everyone else," says series creator Marc Cherry, who eschewed stereotypical characterizations of gay men. "The politically correct thing would have been to have everyone get along with them. But there's a lot of comedy to be played against type."

Cherry also notes that while the couple will have a Big Secret like everyone else on the show, they will be instrumental in rebuilding the community after the sweeps-induced tornado that rocks the neighborhood (insert inevitable Wizard of Oz reference HERE). Actors Kevin Rahm and Tuc Watkins (whom we interviewed just last week) also chime in on their roles.

Cherry also reveals he named the couple after ABC journalist Bob Woodruff and his wife Lee. (I'm sure it thrills Lee to no end that she's "the bitch" of the couple). What, "Michael and Brent" doesn't have the same ring?

I've gotten the sense that some readers haven't been thrilled thus far with how the couple has been portrayed on the show. Any thoughts on this new info?