[Scarlett.]

Full story here

Basically, Corrie has decided that it doesn't just want to do the "gay token character" thing anymore, and introduced James Cunningham (Ken's grandson, played by James Roache, Bill's real life son) into the show, and are bringing back Sean's old flame, Marcus Dent. Also last week saw the temporary return of Todd with his new boyfriend Jules, and then there is Sophie and Sian.

Basically, there's some bigots saying there are 'too many gay characters' despite the fact that the characters arent built around their sexuality, over on the troll filled ITV forums, the posters are complaining about "Phil Collinson's gay agenda" and say that he wants to promote homosexuality and the fact that it isn't really a big deal (as if this is a bad thing), their basis for this is because Phil Collinson is gay, and because he brought in Bi-sexual Captain Jack into Dr. Who (and gave him spin off Torchwood).

[Benjamin]

What is this, hate the homos day?

[Kerry]

Pathetic. I seriously think some sad bastards just need something to moan about to fill their days

[Niamh.]

I think it's about time that gay characters aren't just in there for the "gay" storyline and are just normal characters with normal storylines who just happen to be gay

[Scarlett.]

Ikr, it pisses me off that people still think like this.

I hate it when people complain about gay kisses in soaps, when soaps also feature

- Rape
- Murder
- Assault
- Affairs
- Fires
- Death

Yet somehow two people showing affection is "damaging to children" :s

[Shaun]

only Hollyoaks is too gay.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Chewy

Ikr, it pisses me off that people still think like this.

I hate it when people complain about gay kisses in soaps, when soaps also feature

- Rape
- Murder
- Assault
- Affairs
- Fires
- Death

Yet somehow two people showing affection is "damaging to children" :s

lol, yeah, it's crazy when you put it like that!

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I think it's about time that gay characters aren't just in there for the "gay" storyline and are just normal characters with normal storylines who just happen to be gay

That's what Corrie seem to be doing, James is being brought in to help run the soup kitchen that's opening nearby, Sophie and Sian are also getting involved in that, Sean and Marcus' story is basically just a love story

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

lol, yeah, it's crazy when you put it like that!

Indeed, I just palmface when I hear Corrie fans wittering on about tradition - Tony Warren is gay! He wanted to introduce gay characters f[om the off, but of course he couldn't at the time, due to it being illegal back then

[Kerry]

Was Norris's brother gay. I'm sure he was ??

Oh and Gails father

Theres been plenty. Why are they kicking a fuss now? Idiots

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by ~Kerry~

Was Norris's brother gay. I'm sure he was ??

Oh and Gails father

Theres been plenty. Why are they kicking a fuss now? Idiots

I didn't think Norris brother was, didn't him and Emily have a "thing"?

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I didn't think Norris brother was, didn't him and Emily have a "thing"?

Oh yes. Perhaps.

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by ~Kerry~

Was Norris's brother gay. I'm sure he was ??

Oh and Gails father

Theres been plenty. Why are they kicking a fuss now? Idiots

There was Leon too, who chased after Jason, and Jason became Mr. Gay Weatherfield

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by Chewy

There was Leon too, who chased after Jason, and Jason became Mr. Gay Weatherfield

Oh yes haha

[MTVN]

I think it's an issue of realism, maybe people just find it unrealistic that one street would have 3 gay couples in it plus a couple of other homosexuals

[Patrick]

The majority of the audience consist of elderly old fashioned ladies who would hold such opinions.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Patrick

The majority of the audience consist of elderly old fashioned ladies who would hold such opinions.

I would have thought that straight men are more likely to have issues with homosexuality then women tbh

[cub]

It's just not realistic to have so many gay characters - there must nearly nearly half a dozen - it overRUN!

Corrie is very realistic otherwise - tram crashes, murderers, transgenders, middle-aged gigaloes, more murderers, factory explosions, etc. Not 6 gays! How unbelievable!

[Daniel McIver]

Whats the probelm ? Its just the sun stirring up **** again!

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by cub

It's just not realistic to have so many gay characters - there must nearly nearly half a dozen - it overRUN!

Corrie is very realistic otherwise - tram crashes, murderers, transgenders, middle-aged gigaloes, more murderers, factory explosions, etc. Not 6 gays! How unbelievable!

Exactly

[MTVN]

Well it's like with Midsomer Murders where they didnt want black characters because it wouldnt be realistic apparently, most people on this board defended them over that but these two situations are almost the same

[Jords]

I know people think its unrealistic just to have a gay character be defined by them being gay but its that what has potential to cause drama and hook different audiences.

If 2 confident homosexuals have a marriage storyline, its gonna be like any ol happy/sad marriage, but a character who is not confident provides loads of pathways for them to take, thats why soaps do it.

[dannyboy]

Hmmm, so there's now about half a dozen gay characters out of probably 50 regular cast members. Hardly excessive. Or unrealistic. What's unrealistic is when a one-off gay character suddenly appears, ends up with the label of 'the gay one' and has a load of look-at-me-im-a-gay storylines which gives the character no chance to develop as a character in themselves, which is always the danger when introducing gay characters. I'm glad corrie has a few of them about, and tries to concentrate on their characterisation rather than one aspect of who they are.

[BB_Eye]

Three couples is a lot to be fair. It's Corrie though... its audience is 90% fishwives and gay men. They can't be blamed for playing to their audience. Plus it's set in Manchester.

[Marsh.]

Major problem with a lot of the gay characters in soaps is that they involve well known, long term characters who suddenly "go gay". Sonia Jackson and Sophie Webster were/are in the most unbelievable storylines ever. And that's saying something when we have Stape-Mania.