ABC's "The Whole Truth" Features Gay Character of Color

Just how significant are the differences between ABC, arguably the most gay-inclusive network, and NBC, Fox and especially CBS when it comes to gay and bisexual representation on television?

Well, I think it says something that on the same day that I asked CBS president Nina Tassler about her network's failing grade from GLAAD, and she announced that the best CBS could manage for the next season was to add in three minor gay characters to existing shows, I also learned that yet another ABC show was going to prominently feature an out gay character.

The program is The Whole Truth, a legal drama starring Mara Tierney and Rob Morrow. The setup of the show is that Tierney plays Kathryn Peale, an attorney working in the Manhattan District Attorney's office, while Morrow plays Jimmy Brogan, a rising defense attorney.

But Kathryn and Jimmy are actually lifelong friends and each episode will feature them facing off against each other in a case that the audience will see develop from both sides of the legal process. 

According to a source close to the show, the gay character is Alejo Salazar (Anthony Ruivivar), an openly gay attorney. Even better, Alejo has a partner involved in Washington DC politics, which means we should see something of his personal life.

Alejo is described has having worked his way up through the ranks of Jimmy's law firm to become the go-to man who cleans up Jimmy's messes and is by his side in the courtroom. It sounds as if without Alejo, Jimmy's practice would come apart. 

It's ironic that GLAAD's recent report on ABC really only criticized the network for not having enough diversity and a week later, we learn about Alejo. And, no, the network didn't just change the character. The pilot has already been shot. 

I'll be interview Anthony next week so stay tuned for more details!