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Y&R's Greg Rikaart Interview: After Receiving HRC Visibility Award, Will Y&R Step Up To the Plate & Make Kevin Gay?

Photo Credit: Francois G Durand/WireImage

Photo Credit: WireImage

While the stars from your favorite daytime dramas were getting all gussied up to the nines last weekend to attend the Daytime Emmy awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, a Daytime Emmy winner himself, The Young and the Restless Greg Rikaart (Kevin) was attending another big awards presentation.  The out activist and television star was in New Orleans last Saturday to receive the Human Rights Campaign Visibility Award for his efforts and work on behalf of the LGBT community and equal rights.  HRC is the largest LGBT civil rights advocacy group and political lobbying organization in the United States.

As daytime fans know, Rikaart came out publicly last June when the Supreme Court struck down a key part of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act), by tweeting a selfie of himself with partner and television comedy writer, Robert Sudduth.  During his HRC award speech, Greg related what transpired that led to the moment that he posted the picture – some wine … history being made with DOMA and being in a celebratory mood … washing his dog with tomato juice after it was skunked … and more!  In addition, Rikaart related to the HRC audience that he was both the bullied and the bully at times during his younger years, and how he came to terms with it years later by apologizing to the guy he hurt. 

On-Air On-Soaps caught up with Greg during Y&R’s on-set celebration for their 9 record breaking Emmy victories!  When we bantered about what the future may hold for Kevin Fisher now that Elizabeth Hendrickson has left the building as Chloe, it would seem the time could not be more ripe for Greg’s activist and professional career to collide, and for Y&R to make the character of Kevin gay; which would in turn give the number one soap opera a mainstay central character that can represent a very under-represented segment of the population on daytime soaps.  Will it ever happen?  Time will tell!  But for now, here’s what Greg had to share about his Y&R pals, if he were given the opportunity to play gay in Genoa City, and most of all some insight into the talking points said in his inspiring HRC speech! (You can watch Greg’s speech in the video following the end of this interview)

So you were not at the Daytime Emmys because you were receiving an incredible honor!  When you learned that Amelia Heinle ((Victoria) won Outstanding Supporting Actress, what did you think?  She beat out two other heavyweight talents you have worked with: Elizabeth Hendrickson (and you were part of her Emmy reel) and Melissa Claire Egan (Chelsea)!

Photo Credit: Film Magic

GREG:  All three of them are great.  Frankly, I would have been happy to see any of the three of them win.  They are all so talented.  I think what Amelia said in her speech was true: we all helped tell that story together.  So seeing anyone of us getting an award for it is wonderful.

How was it for you on Elizabeth’s last day on set?  It had to be very difficult. You two spent so much time together, and created such a unique relationship between Kevin and Chloe.

GREG:  It was really sad.  We had a tough time saying goodbye.  She was a big part of my experience here at Y&R for the last five years.  So seeing her go was losing a friend, losing a scene partner, and partner in crime.

So now are you looking forward to what the future holds for Kevin?  Hopefully, there will be major story for him!

GREG:  Let’s hope so!  Frankly, I didn’t feel professionally that the character of Chloe needed to leave for Kevin to have story, but since she did, I am grateful for the opportunities that may lie ahead for me and Kevin with Y&R.

Have you given the writers any suggestions of what you would like your next story to be?  Hint-Hint!

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

GREG:  That’s not my job to do that, but I think the writings on the wall for what people want to see.

I think so, too.  So you would like to tell the story of Kevin being gay?  Would you have any reservations with it?

GREG:  I would welcome it whole-heartedly.  Whether or not they want to tell that story is up to them, and not up to me, but I would so welcome that challenge.

I had interviewed former Y&R head writer Maria Bell for a piece for Pride Magazine a few years back, which was about gay characters on soaps, or the lack thereof.  When I asked her about if she would have a major character on the show be gay, she said she would love to do it, but that the show got feedback from viewers which said otherwise when they expressed: “We don’t mind a gay character, but just not on our show.”  And since that interview with Maria, there has still been no change at the number one daytime drama in terms of a LGBT central character.

Courtesy/GRikaartTwitter

GREG:  Amelia Heinle and I were just in Monte Carlo, and that was the one question that all the reporters asked me.  And, my go-to answer is my partner Rob’s.  Rob is a comedy writer for TV, and whenever that question comes up about whether there will be a gay character on Y&R, he says, “It’s 2014, and why doesn’t the number one daytime show have a gay character?”  Frankly, I think it’s far more interesting to do that with a character that the fans already know than to bring on a gay character that no one knows of.  The fans view the characters like family.  So if there is a “family” member that suddenly revealed something about themselves that no one knew about before, it mirrors what happens in real life.  I think the powerfulness of that message to the audience of this show would be way more profound than just introducing a new character that just happens to be gay.   The audience would go on the same journey that a family member would go on.  

If they already care about the character then it makes it more palpable…

GREG:  That is exactly my point … we are on the same page.

In your HRC Visibility Award speech, you talk about a young classmate years ago named Josh who you had bullied.  The story takes a touching turn when you reveal you reached out to Josh many years later to say you were sorry for how you treated him.  What prompted the decision to get in touch with Josh?

Courtesy/HRC

GREG:  I was sharing with some people that experience, and how sad I was. And somebody said to me, “Have you ever thought to apologize to him?  Have you ever thought about how healing that could be?”  I thought, “Wow! That is a great idea.”  And so I did.  He could not have been any more kind and well-receiving of my apology.  And so again, even though it brings up some sadness for me, the story has a happy ending and I like sharing it.  Furthermore, two people at the HRC event in New Orleans came up to me and shared their story, and had similar experiences, and had reached out and apologized years later. 

You were very honest in your HRC speech about how it felt when you were bullied as a kid, and how you to survive, in turn became the bully.

GREG: That is why the cycle is so vicious.  When you are a child you are trying to survive, and you don’t know the correct tools, so you think that maybe if someone is making you feel bad, then it’s making them feel good.  Then, you repeat the cycle with someone you think is weaker, or more of a target than you are.  I was most excited for my sister to watch the speech with my nephews who are eleven and twelve.  I don’t know if that’s been their experience, but if anything like that has been, then hopefully this will help to take the air out of that for them.

Courtesy/GRikaartTwitter

OK, please elaborate from your HRC speech: how did it come about that you made the decision to tweet the picture of you and Rob that basically told the public that you were gay?

GREG: Literally the day DOMA was struck down, it was the end of the night and the dog did get skunked, and Rob and I were feeling celebratory, and we had some wine.  Coming out publicly was something that I always anticipated happening at some point because I wasn’t closeted; and then I just made this bold move.   I think in my own way just being who I was, and even when I tweeted that photo, it got back to me that some friends took me to task a little bit for not saying, “I’m gay”, which I think is unfortunate because again, I don’t think anyone has any obligation to do, or say, or not say, what they don’t want to.  I think I was pretty clear in what I was doing.  Again, pick your battles.  I am not the enemy when I am one of the people who I hope is helping things get better.

In that moment, did you ask Rob what he thought about you making the decision to tweet the photo of the two of you?

GREG:  Actually before the Rose’ wine, I said, “Hey, I was thinking about maybe doing something tonight in celebration of DOMA being overturned!” He said, “Great, I support you in whatever you want to do.”   As always, I had his full support.

Have you ever been concerned then, or worried, how it would be perceived if you came out publicly as a gay man, and how it would go over with the fans of Y&R?   I would think you must have.

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

GREG:  Sure.  I had someone who was a casting director say to me drunkenly at a party that she would never knowingly cast a gay actor in a straight role.  So there is absolutely a fear for self-preservation.  Then you get to a point where you grow up and mature, and you realize that you have more confidence in what your value is, and what you bring to the table.  And for me, personally, my life is about more than my job, or my career.  I think being an actor and an activist are two things that are important to me, and rather than see the two of them in conflict with one another, I am going to make them work for one another.  Things that I say politically, or to further the Equal Rights Movement, have more weight because of what I do professionally and what my career is. Again, rather than have those two things fight each other, I decided I wanted to have a way to have the two of them work together and so far … so good.

What was the response you received when you came forward with the photo of you and Rob from the fans?

Courtesy/SAG-AFTRA

GREG:  I would say it has been overwhelming positive from the Y&R and soap fan base. There are a few people who would like to hide behind their religion as a veil for their bigotry.  But for the most part, people are, and have been incredibly supportive.   I am really glad that I did it.

Watching your HRC speech, it brought up some issues that the LGBT youth still face today.  I could not go to grade school for like seven months or so because as I was bullied so badly.  I applaud the work you are doing with the organization, GLSEN because of what they do for children and teenagers to help them continue their education in a safe place without fear of feeling different, or being harmed.  I grew up decades ago and in the Midwest, where there was no one to turn to at that time in the school system that would help.  How did you feel as a kid in the school system?

GREG:  I didn’t ever feel I had an advocate at my school that I could ever talk to.  I have learned that you may not be able to completely wipe out bullying, but any kid that is being bullied and knows that they have a voice, and that somebody is listening to them, could be the difference between life and death.

Courtesy/NBC

You got into a huge Twitter feud with Days of our Lives Melissa Reeves (Jennifer) over the Chick-fil-A controversy, and you seem to keep other people on their toes and are willing to take people to task for their opposing opinions via social media!  But you are also very intelligent and know how to go toe to toe on political and social issues!  Did you know when you sent out that tweet about Melissa it would cause such a big stir?

GREG: For me it’s about: Let me challenge someone on their beliefs and see if I can get them to move a little bit.  If somebody can give me an argument that supports a belief that I don’t believe in, I am always up for that if it’s well thought out and reasonable. Then, I will consider it.  The whole Chick-fil-A situation felt so aggressively hateful, and it was an issue I had been following, and then after I saw that tweet that Melissa Reeves sent out I wanted to say something about it.  Then following that someone had asked if I would give a more detailed response to that, and I was happy to.  Then I started to write it and the more I wrote, the more impassioned I got.  Then I thought, “I don’t want to give this just to the person that was asking. I would rather have this try to reach a bigger audience.”  So I sent it to a friend at the HRC and they were able to get it more visibility than I would have been able to get on my own, and that’s how it all started, I guess.

So coming back to full circle here to Kevin on Y&R, it would seem that if they were to make the character gay it could provide great drama for the show!

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

GREG:  Yes, and even have different points of view from people in Kevin’s life. Maybe there is a character that doesn’t support it, and has a tough time with it, because there will inevitably be people in the viewing audience who can relate to that character and that character could take the journey of understanding and full acceptance, and love and support.  In turn, that could help someone in our audience that might need that kind of guidance.

Have there been any talks at Y&R that you know of about making Kevin gay?

GREG:  Not that I know of.   If it’s not a story they want to tell, then they are not going to tell it.  I don’t think it’s the only avenue that Kevin could go down, but it certainly would be interesting … in my opinion.

Watch Greg’s speech as he receives his HRC Visibility Award below! Then, let us know, do you hope The Young and the Restless make the decision to make the character of Kevin Fisher gay?   And what did you think of Greg’s touching and important speech?  Share your thoughts below!

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I loved that Greg came out publicity, I loved his stance against Melissa Reeves and Chick-fil-A.

However, I’ve seen him say some not-so-nice things to fans on Twitter that make me question if his bullying days are truly over and that’s sad. :/

I am not quite sure how enjoying some chicken with her family constitutes some vicious hate crime but fans continue to slam this poor woman for nothing!! On the other hand Greg Rikaart was vicious and wished all kinds of bad things onto her up to and including unemployment! What HE did was hate speech, not her. He made a social media spectacle…not her.

Melissa Reeves and her husband Scott are against same sex marriage and have been very public in their opposition to it. They are far right Christian zealots and do come off as being rather judgmental. I commend Greg for publicly speaking out.

Johnny, Melissa was not a “poor woman” in that scenario. She purposely stood up for Chick-fil-A after they came out against gay rights and gay marriage, including contributing funds to a campaign that works to make homosexuality ILLEGAL. As Harry said, the Reeves’ are advocates for “traditional marriage”- ironic considering Melissa cheated on her husband. I don’t think that’s very traditional.

Nikki…YES…THANK YOU!!!!! And…Melissa Reeves didn’t seem ‘traditional’ when she cheated on her husband Scott with that Jason Brooks dude. I’m just saying……….

Take care, Nikki. XOXOXOXOXO

Melissa Reeves made a mistake over 20 years ago, yet these “tolerant” and “non-judgemental” liberals STILL keep harping on it. THAT’S what’s ironic.

Melissa Reeves was bullied by Greg Rikaart to the point where she ended up shutting down her Twitter account. That is also ironic–considering his constant yammering about “bullies” and bullying.

There was a time, when gay people were the underdogs, that I used to defend them against bullies. But, now, it is the gay community who are the bullies and, as a result, I now defend the Christian community–who most definitely have become the underdogs (along with anybody else who disagrees with the gay community).

The gay community (along with their liberal lap-dogs) refers to anyone who disagrees with them as “bigots” and “haters.” How very “tolerant” and “non-judgemental” of them!

Yes yes yes!!!

Please do not address the whole gay community as a whole, not all of us are like that. Just like some of us don’t bucket all Christians in the same boat.

Thee gay community as you put it… is AT LAST celebrating something

celebrating that something… that you’ve endured… a lifetime

I’m getting my chance to be with

to share equality

“AT LAST”

define that

Last

come forward and stand

VIGILante

Fair enough, Scott. But, unfortunately, I think that you may be in the minority. (And that’s a shame, because it is the militant bullies that have caused the gay community to lose supporters like me.) My best friend in high school was bi and the last person who insulted her got smacked in the mouth (by me). No more, though–and that is 100% due to people like Greg Rikaart and others like him. I can’t stand bullies and I will defend anyone who is being bullied (and, right now, that happens to be the Christian community). But, you’re right, I shouldn’t have lumped the entire gay community under one umbrella and I apologize for doing that.

I don’t understand this need for gay people to announce to the world that they are gay, so what? Do they really think nobody knew or suspected before they made the announcement? Do straight people go around announcing they’re straight? No they don’t.
I knew as soon as I saw Greg that he was gay, I didn’t care then, and I don’t care now.
Just be happy and don’t make a big deal out of your sexuality, gay or straight.
As far as the show goes, it would be ludicrous to have him so in love with Chloe and then suddenly decide he’s gay.

I think making Kevin gay would be a horrible idea!!!! We know these characters. I’m sure in 10 years….watching Kevin love one girl after another….we would have maybe seen him take a sideways look at Nick or JT or someone? No! When Kevin loves his woman he loves her with his heart and soul and libido. To suddenly backtrack and out of the blue be like “Man….when I’m at the Athletic club those boys in the gym are suddenly starting to make me feel something down there!!! I kinda like it!”. No. No no no! The show screwed with history and story and ALL logic when they dismantled half the show so they could bring back Phillip for the SOLE purpose that he was gay. It was a bad combination of bad writing, very bad acting, and preposterous circumstances. That same thing would happen if the writers make Kevin gay. It would be just another fairy tale….everyone is loving and accepting…not really surprised but no one has an objection…it rings false every time.

Yes, it would certainly be odd for Kevin to suddenly realize that he’s gay after all this time. I’ve never been able to identify with gay characters in soap storylines because everyone ends up loving and accepting them, and my own experience was the exact opposite. A long-term, realistic storyline depicting some of the issues that gay people actually experience (ongoing bullying, continued rejection by family members, suicidal thoughts) might be informative, but it would probably be too dark and depressing to watch.

If Y&R are going to do a gay storyline, they will have to do it right and in a realistic manner. There has been no evidence or history leading up to the self-realization that this thirty something character is gay.
I thought this is where they were heading with Fenn, and I think it would have worked for his character.
I do think most viewers could accept a gay storyline if there is some follow through. From what I have seen, soaps will have a character come out of the closet only to lead a life of abstinence. To see a gay relationshop done up right for television drama. watch reruns of Six Feet Under. David and Keith were completely fleshed out as a believable, complex same sex couple.

“…because everyone ends up loving and accepting them, and my own experience was the exact opposite”

Hello Fanmale : I hear you

your experiences, plus, i’d add, religion and alcoholism. Life was not paved or spelled out.

tears and angst.

I am just thrilled that Serials do care enough to bring a lifestyle that’s means more to me than tolerance… LOL Oh god to think… we’ve been held at bay LONG enough arms length even….

currently, in the USA : 48% of the nation is threading a life onward and upwards.

THAT, is MY celebration… my heart is full and dam leaks every now and then… I’m so happy and pray that our younger generations have a more peaceful walk with

the one cause that has risen to the forefront is bullying… the mere fact that this is a learned behaviour at home is rife with heartache… for that child or adult still going through this

your last sentence… LGBT issues would be very informative… I applaud how far television has progressed… certainly no where near mine… but it’s enough so that I know it’s reaching out

my hope is that , that dark and depressing time(s) are an afterthought … I salute you … and can take comfort in knowing… those who come after us… can fly

Thank you Days of OUR Lives, NBC, Sony
Thank you General Hospital, ABC, United Kingdom

I don’t know if the storyline on B&B is or was ever ?

48.8 percent of gay Americans live in states where they can legally marry, according to our estimates. The percentage of Americans in those states overall is at 45.6 percent.

Fan Salute

Harry…I remember HBO’s Six Feet Under. And…to be honest with you…the characters of David and (especially!!!!!) Keith were the only reasons that I watched Six Feet Under, period. The rest of the characters on that show did nothing for me (TV viewing-wise). Sorry. Furthermore, Matthew St. Patrick (the actor that played Keith The Cop on that show) was (and still is!!!!!) F-I-N-E A-S H-E-L-L!!!!! YUM!!!!!!!

i disagree and think as he said in the interview that some character could have a problem with it and it could be much more about a later in life struggle than pushing an agenda.

The whole show has become one big preposterous fairytale, they rewrote history so they could anchor Dylan to the canvas, they re-write hsitory all the time. It could also be shown as having been playing out “offscreen” in flashbacks.

Unless Steve Burton/Dylan decides he wants to do a gay storyline I think you can shelve that idea GR. As for GR’s twitter fight with MR I thought that dog quit barking it has been two years. Move On! Trust me on this if he keeps on in your face tactics about his sexuality JFP will never use him other then a filler for other stories.

I think Kevin could get involved with Phillip or Rafe. I could see him with either one.

Neither one of them is even remotely a central character on the show

What if Devon became Gay too? He has never had a successful relationship.

Greg is so cute and boyish. I hope Kevin Fisher winds up gay. I can become Kevins Boyfriend on the Young and The restless, but sorry folks I wouldn’t work with Jill Farren Phelps, WHY? Jill is a soap Killer and she still kisses Steve Burtons ass. I AM going to audition for a part on gh next week. wish me luck everyone. I am a model and partime actor.

Claudio…SMART MAN!!!!! I think that you would be FAR BETTER OFF steering clear of that Y&R set. And…I have a feeling that you would CONSTANTLY CLASH with that Jill Farren Phelps. Yep. But…Claudio…my $$$ (or whatever) would be on Y-O-U…H-E-L-L-O!!!!! And, Claudio…GOOD LUCK on your upcoming GH audition. I hope that everything goes your way. Again…GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Deuces.

mk…W-H-A-T?!?!? NO NO NO NO NO!!!!! I’m sorry but Devon is getting WAY TOO RIDICULOUS already!!!!! Devon turning gay would be WAY TOO clumsy and awkward. Furthermore, Devon has proven over and over again that he is SO CLUELESS AND STUPID when it comes to women. I can barely stand to watch that idiot now. And I sure as hell DON’T have the energy/patience to watch Devon explore a relationship (or whatever) with another dude on-screen. Again…No. Moving on…….

Correction: ‘a dude’ instead of ‘another dude’.

Peace.

@Jay

high 5 on Devon : aimless

i’ll leave it at that

he was deemed Katherine Chancellor golden child… w/2 billion dollars… LOL

why, whoa, wow

dull amazement

at best… I dream that Drucilla Dynasty money bags is back with 2 billion dollar stars in her eyes and stalls Devon… and bilks him of his inheritance and she dollaps her standards throughout Genoa city

LOL

why the hell not ?

camp, percolate, high jinx, Winters family come alive, a sure thing

what do they have to lose? Y&R production

Devon is so bland… that for him to have a setback… lose his hearing… Mama short on cash, parades her act first

there you have it

They have screw up so much Y&R, that they would do that and much more stupid story lines ,that’s why I moved to GH

I think Kevin being gay would actually be a very great twist for the Y&R. His being married and in love with women makes it all the juicier and I want some big drama on my show! Many people come out later in life for all sorts of reasons and characters having secrets is nothing new on the soaps.

Every other soap has a gay character and not Y&R. It’s not about gay characters so much but interesting storylines and this story for Michael Baldwin’s family would be very dramatic and exciting. Do it Y&R!

I was hoping Fenn would come out!

FEN LIKES GIRLS!!!!!

It’s time for Y&R to tell a gay storyline and I’d be thrilled if it came from Kevin. There are so many possibilities and crazy twists that could come from this. I’d also welcome Kevin becoming a dad. A character with his history becoming a father could be very interesting.

With Days & GH having strong gay storylines I would much prefer YR going w/ a lesbian story. I could see it being Summer. Kevin’s character should stay the same. If they want to take an established straight character realizing later in life they are homosexual, the better shake up would be Eileen Davidson’s Ashley, paired with a character protayed by Sarah Brown, Tamara Braun or ex Beth from GL.

By saying ex Beth from GL, do you mean actress Judi Evans? If so, forget it! I love her too much as Adrienne on DAYS!!!

Nope, Beth Chamberlain. I put ex since the show is no longer on. Love Judi on Days just wish she & Mary Beth were used more.

SUMMER LIKES BOYS!!!!!

Maybe summer likes girls too, I want summer to be bisexual. That would be hot.

I think a coming out story for Kevin would be great, if fans keep an open-mind and they tell the story right. It’s not uncommon at all for some to be late bloomers. I’ve known all my life , even before I knew what the word Gay meant. But I was fortunate enough to make friends when I was younger that showed me it was ok to be myself. Some aren’t that lucky. They feel they have to hide, to pretend, just to survive in this world. I guess I’ve been pretty lucky. I’ve always been out. I don’t really act any different at work than I do with friends or at home. I’m just me. But for Kevin, it could be different. Yes, we see these characters every day and for the most part, you just see their actions, but not what they are really thinking or feeling. It’s very plausible for Kevin to reexamine his life, especially now that Chloe is gone. For gay fans, like myself, this story could be something totally relatable. To be honest, there really hasn’t been that many story lines on YR over the years that I could actually say, wow, I know what they are going through. I think the time is right. I think there are fans that want this. Seriously, this story line would make a lot more sense than most of the story lines on the show right now. I think we could all agree on that one.

Very well said; I agree with everything you said (and I can totally relate to your experience). The country is ready — perhaps now more than ever — for an established character to come out. Please do this Y&R!

Bravo

“…. Yes, we see these characters every day and for the most part, you just see their actions, but not what they are really thinking or feeling. It’s very plausible for Kevin to reexamine his life, especially now that Chloe is gone.”

the part that gets me is that …. now that Chloe is gone… for him to reexamine his life… is highly plausible…

taking your words repeat… but… it’s a story… that Y&R… if it’s on the bandwagon.. then so be it…

Y&R is SO lost right now… that any thing to re-invigorate this serial… is on the up and up

I love another poster idea that it could be Kevin and Pauls assistant… WHAT A HOTTIE! either or come out…. he is the bomb… so sensual… so sexy… so alluring… Chris L. McKenna : Mark

see JayBird post below

YUM

I don’t think it would work for Kevin since Kevin has been heterosexual and married a few times to women and now so completely in love with Chloe and devastated that she is gone. Kevin would have to undergo a brain transplant for it to make sense IMO. I guess he could get conked on the head.

Actress Meredith Baxter was married to 3 different men and had five children then shortly after her divorce from hubby 3 she began a same sex relationship and realized she was gay while in her mid 50s so Kevin could also realize after all these years and being with several woman suddenly realize he is guy…maybe nubilly can be bi and he and Billy can have an affair…lol

gay not guy…lol

Realized she was gay???? More like got fed up with men and turned to a woman. That’s not gay that’s hitting rock bottom after a bunch of assholes and thinking a woman is nicer.

@Johnny

perhaps… from the outset

after experiencing all your senses

and triggers and fireworks and comfort level in bed… she is enlivened and radiates togetherness

beautiful

I think it would be a good idea if they write it correctly!

I dont like messing with history BUT, they could write it like he has always had this feeling of confusion or emptiness in his life and now, on camera, it plays out. I wouldnt even mind if his separation from Chloe brings this out. He could be at the Athletic Club working out, look over at Cane and fight his feelings of homosexuality. He could go see a shrink and this alone could be a story line about his failed relationships, his abuse, and his atttraction to other men. I mention Cane because I would rather see him and Kevin together than that piece of cardboard of a wife they call Lilly!

I have no problem accepting and embracing a gay character….but not Kevin. Just because Greg is gay doesn’t mean the characters he portrays also have to be.

Thank you! I think Y&R should have a gay storyline, just not with Kevin. He’s gay, let’s make his character gay is way too easy. He’s won more than one emmy playing straight. It’s called acting!

I’m thinking since all the gay characters on GH & Days are male, maybe Y&R should counter program and do a gay female story.

thank you Dwight

let’s not pidgeonhole… stifle… characterize… label….

it’s called acting : can’t enumerate that enough!

he’s a darned good actor, at that

continue on Kevin

with love and hugs from

Perfect. Gay female. Seems like all the soaps (DOOL. GH) have the male counterpart so that would be different .

Well said. Also I *personally* think it would be better- if he wants to play a gay character– to do so in a fresh character on Days or GH.

I am gay, my brother is gay too and my dog is gay. lol. runs in the genes

There have been several gay storylines in daytime and i have no problem with them unless its some sort of agenda to force acceptance…show real life struggles of gays is a better way to win acceptance…however, why is it always about gays…how about the lack of minorities in daytime such as asians and american indian families ect(yes, i know there has been some in the past but never lasted as long as caucasian storylines)…its 2014…why arent their stories currently being told?

Jim, lets face it, look at the demo, Caucasians watch soaps. There just isnt a huge following with blacks, Asians, and Indians. I here people all the time complain about the Winters family. Y&R creates characters to bring in black viewers. Thats fine but there are not a lot of black viewers. I dont care but everything attached to the Winters family is boring. The stories are terrible! Cane is being wasted! Gays, give it a try. I dont care as long is the story is good and other characters are involved.

Im a caucasian male who would watch an asian family on a soap…what im saying is i didnt comment on adding more minorities to the cast to attract more minority viewers but if it did that would be great…ive watched foriegn soaps that have a variety of minorities in their cast and ive enjoyed them…Britiains Coronations Street features blacks and other minorities(no asians however) and its audience is largely caucasions…im just saying if it works there it could work here…

One of the great stories on GH happened in the Asian Quarter. It was great and would welcome that again. I just dont see Asians running to the TV to tune in to GH because of it.

That is because, Timm, the Winters family are boring as all hell and played by very somnolent actors. Neil as the patriarch of the Winters is not as interesting as my Robo vacuum. It has nothing to do with the color of his skin. Y&R has been a trail blazer as far as putting African Americans in front burner storylines. Once upon a time, the African Americans on this show were interesting to everybody. They need to get back to that.

Ok Harry, I agree, give them a story line and lets see what happens. Its been terrible!

Timmm…YES…AGREED!!!!! To me, storytelling-wise, NOTHING about the Winters family on Y&R is working…or believable. Let me see:

1. More and more, Neil is acting like a stupid and lovesick BUFFOON…BLECH AND MORE BLECH!!!!! Which now brings me to…
2. Hilary…who ain’t too swift herself. Look…I’m no prude (far from it!!!!!) but as for that supposedly reformed (as in N-O-T!!!!!) ding-a-ling Hilary being in love (or whatever) with BOTH Neil and Devon (aka FATHER AND SON)…gimme a break already!!!!! No.
3. Devon…who has been reduced to acting like such a clueless and drooling MAN-CHILD!!!!! No Thank You.
4. Cane…who has been reduced to acting like such a one-dimensional ROBOT (or something like that). Blah.
5. Most of all, Lily is the W-O-R-S-T!!!!! Let me count the ways: CONSTANTLY meddling in Neil’s personal life, BULLYING (or whatever) Devon into seducing Hilary (C-R-E-E-P-Y!!!!!), MOUTHING OFF in general, etc. BEYOND BLECH!!!!!

Bottom Line Here: Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!!!!!!

I used to love the Winters family! The aids story with Nathan was one of the best. It was emotionally charged drama. Now the Winters are a joke. They have zero substance but neither do any of the other families on canvas. The show has become far too superficial.

The show is not just about the winters. Its mostly the Newmans and Abbotts. Its Great the way it is. Please Y&R do not change. Alot of us older generations Love it as it is.

There are plenty of men and women who realize later in life they are living a lie. It would be no more of a stretch for Kevin to realize he is gay than having a doppelganger of Cassie, Nikki realizing 40 years later she had sex with Paul and lest not forget the soap staple: no one is ever TRULY dead.

If you can wrap your mind around half the crap these writers are shoveling, Kevin being gay could probably the most realistic one.

And kudos to Greg from another Staten Islander….

well said.

Exactly. It happens in real life all of the time.

And on GL did a similar story with Olivia and Natalia, it was so popular Crystal Chappell carried over the theme with the same actress to Venice.

They could make Kevin bi.

If they were to make an existing character gay I think a better choice would be Noah— or even Kyle. I think Kevin’s past might give people the wrong idea that somehow if you were abused or had a overbearing mother it turned you gay, while Noah or Kyle had relatively normal families and upbringing, thereby dispelling the myth that something in your childhood turns you gay.

But if they did do Kevin, I wouldn’t think it odd like some have posted. I know a closeted man who has been married to a woman for over twenty years and had two children with her. He literally represses his real self because he rather live a lie than live as an outed homosexual. He was his public image and in secret his has his flings.

I could see that having been the case with Kevin. Often those who are gay who are trying to act straight will go overboard on heterosexual displays to try to disguise their homosexual desires, which could explain Kevin’s possessive nature in relationships with both Colleen, Jenna and Chloe. Also secret homosexuals wouldn’t be caught checking out the males in the gym, but alone in their studies, they be looking at gay porn. So if they made Kevin gay they could make a logical case as to why and how he is just coming to terms with it.

But if JFP wouldn’t let gay Phillip come to Katherine’s memorial– do we honestly think she would okay a gay story line for anyone on that show?

I don’t want them to make Kevin gay just because the actor is. What’s most important is if it would make sense and be a natural evolution of the character. Could long time viewers, and/or fans of the character, buy that this whole time, Kevin has been gay? If they want a gay character on the show, all the power to them. But it doesn’t need to be Kevin simply because the actor would want to take it on.

When DAYS brought on Sonny, everyone fell in love with the character because of his associations, but it helped that we didn’t have to say that it didn’t jive with what we knew of the character. With Will, it worked as well because seeds had been planted for a while with Gabi. I don’t think YR can have Kevin just wake up one day, show him checking out another male, and make him either wonder if he’s actually attracted to me, or make it seem to us like he’s been doing this all along. It just wouldn’t ring true.

I’m not an avid YR watcher, and I really only became a sporadic one 3 years ago, but Soap 101 involves character driven storylines, not plot driven ones. Making an established character realize he’s gay sounds like a ratings grab and gimmick to me. Sure in real life, something like this could happen as Greg said. But this is a show that’s built on storytelling and I’ve just never felt it as part of the story before. JMO.

Well of course any man gay or straight is attracted to me. But I meant attracted to MEN. 😉

Ha, Jules. Very funny. You reminded me of the homophobic boys with whom I once worked who were deathly afraid that their gay co worker was going to make a pass at them. These young men were slovenly and out of shape. I told them that I hate to break it to them, but they’re not exactly “Charlie’s” type and had nothing to worry about.
This fact seemed to bother them more than discovering that Charlie was gay.

Harry, you completely misunderstood my post. I don’t even know where to begin or how you surmised the conclusion you came to, and frankly I have no reason to try to explain myself.

Shame too, because I frequent this site daily and have seen and read your posts often and have by and large enjoyed much of what you say and how you position your thoughts and arguments, including ones you’ve left for this article. I’m sad and confused how you determined what you did out of my fair comment.

If written properly it could very well be a character driven story– the plot driven one was the insane crap MAB pulled when she brought back Phillip from the dead– told his family he faked his death and stayed away twenty years all because he didn’t think his family could bear him being gay– that was pure BS and after the reveal Phillip soon disappeared. And poor Rafe the gay lawyer just created so he could have sex with Adam– he was a plot device, not a character. So you’re right, if they go that route, which I doubt they will do yet, but if they go down that road again it will be the writing more than anything that will determine whether being gay is the story line, or just a part of who a character is.

If you go by the concept that love is genderless, than it is plausible for Kevin to find himself gay or maybe he’s even bi-sexual. He could very well connect with another man, grow close and discover that he does indeed have deeper feelings for him, thereby exploring another part of this sexuality.

Greg needs a good story and this would be it. I’d love to see Kevin come out later in life. Could be a really great story if done well. He’s a terrific actor who could make a story like that be epic

Congrats to Greg on his award; and I so hope that TPTB at Y+R consider a story like he is suggesting; it’s time!

I think it’d be hard to have Kevin come out as gay on the show since it NEVER was even hinted at.

I think YR COULD have a good gay storyline. Rafe was an excellent intro during MAB. It would make more sense for YR’s conservative audience to go with a character they are already familiar with as being gay.

As a gay man myself, I’d like to see a gay storyline told where it’s not really an issue, just another character with a storyline.

It doesnt have to be hinted at…like i said above actress Meredith Baxter was married three times to different men and had five children before she was in a same sex relationship and then realized she was gay while in her 50s…maybe Kevin will suddenly realize it too!!!

It would also set up great drama if/when Chloe returns to GC with Kevin’s baby.

Y&R hates gays so much, they didn’t bring back Phillip for Mrs. C’s funeral. B&B is about fashion and does not have a gay storyline. B&B also shoots in countries where their governments kill gays.

DAYS’ Will & Sonny are just a couple.

No they don’t hate gays “so much”. They are just very cautious about their audience.

Phillip came back to the show in a gay storyline, and Rafe was on the show during Adam’s betrayals.

They have numerous gay men working behind the scenes. Don’t let yourself sound so foolish because of your anti-YR agenda. We can see it for DAYS.

Also Greg R. is openly gay and there are other gay actors on the show as well.

Next.

“Phillip” cannot act. Period. Never could. Why would he return for her funeral? He willingly stayed away from his family for 20 years. He missed countless weddings and deaths and funerals.

Pat F. If that is true. Then good. Let them keep it hidden so we can continue watching it in our living rm as we know and love it. no changes needed.

So, are you saying CBS and B&B don’t know the countries they visit for location shoots condemn gays to death? They actually sentence to death and carry out death penalties against gays just for being gay. Brad Bell should be careful along with his skank, KKL!

Then Bravo to CBS for promoting tolerance in these other countries you refer to! Breaking down walls for us gays.

But it does appear YOU would fit in well with these countries by referring to KKL as a skank…

Shameful. You have some work to do…

Why does Brad Bell need to be careful,if he keeps the shows how they are. No adding gay relationships. Man and woman, how it was suppose to be in the beginning of time. stop trying to change our shows.

They DID a major core family member comes out as gay storyline with Thom Bierdz’s Phillip then it and Thom were gone, not even brought back for Mrs. C’s funeral. I love Greg as an actor but yeah I would rather they made Fen gay as he has not been in a hetero relationship on the show. And that actor could certainly pull off the story. And have Greg play a Baldwin family member who disapproves of his nephew’s lifestyle. That would be good soap storytelling.

ITA!

Thom even wanted to stay and continue playing Phillip’s gay storyline, and still does. It was Maria who didn’t want it to play out.

While I applaud Greg Rikaart for living openly & authentically, I think it would be a terrible idea to “make” the character of Kevin gay.

For one thing, the character has been on the show for a number of years and has been a serial (pardon the pun!) heterosexual. If Kevin were to discover a new sexual orientation now, I’m afraid that would feed into the still too common misconception that sexual orientation is fluid and changeable. That’s a dangerous road to go down because there’s already so much misinformation out there, like the whole notion of “reparative therapy,” which some states have ruled against and which the Texas state GOP’s platform supports.

Also, given the character’s troubled childhood, I’m concerned about how some of the amateur armchair psychologists in the Y&R audience would connect the dots if Kevin came out now.

Lastly, I think Kevin should remain straight as a reminder that gay actors can, do, have, and will continue to play heterosexual romantic roles–frequently brilliantly, with Emmy winning results. Let Greg be Greg and Kevin be Kevin.

They should make an attractive man on the show gay like Austin

Exactly! Who wants to see an overweight balding gay man? Not a pretty picture is it slugger?

I’d much rather see an average joe being gay than Austin. It’s unrealistic to continually portray gay men, or men in general, as these bodybuilding types. It’s the one typecast about soaps I hate.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! OMG he is to handsome and looks great with Summer. Stop trying to change characters. None would be a pretty picture Johnny. I’m sorry I’m old school as I’m sure many long time viewers are. Leave Y&R alone. Want gay stories go on days of our lives or rent some movies. Leave something as is for us who don’t want this.

i’d love it if Noah, was gay

just to rankle, rile, and rule! lord one over on Victor newMAN

let’s have him as the homophobe.. he’s so dull

this would give MTS’ Nikki … something anything to ACT

give her some layer… has she had any

wake up Nick….

this would revitalize the Newmans… aside form Victoria : are so uneventful

how tired it must be to sit around that set

throw some energy Nikki and Sharons way

i’d love it if it was Stitch

Kevin Schmidt should return as Mariah’ brother… if he’d go the distance

wallah

When Victor thought Adam was Gay (Remember he actually slept with Rafe to Bribe him), he had no problem with it.

It was a kiss. Nothing major and revealing to TV viewers. Its one thing we have to live and be part of it in the Outside real world.I do not think shows that has had long time fans and been successful as it is, should have to push it into our living Rms daily on the TV. Give us a choice somewhere.When something is Great already stop trying to mess with a good thing:)

Patrick…oh, dude…your comment made my day…LOL!!!!! Especially about Stitch…HAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Patrick, how about this: What if that new and recurring character of Detective Mark Harding (the one that works for Paul) turned out to be gay??? I mean…we know little to nothing about Mark’s personal/private life. And, by the way…Chris L. McKenna (the dude who plays the Mark role on the show) is so RUGGEDLY DREAMY!!!!! YUM!!!!!!!

Take care, Patrick. Deuces.

I think Fen being gay would be a great story to tell, since he hasn’t had a major relationship with a girl since being aged. That would make more sense for me. As for Kevin, I really don’t know what TPTB have planned for him now that Chloe is out of the picture because there aren’t many viable candidates for a love interest for him.

Bullying is another term for hate crime

“…That is why the cycle is so vicious. When you are a child you are trying to survive, and you don’t know the correct tools, ”

a child’ mind is learning and growing… and to be stunted as such… because he doesn’t understand or has not “come out” is dehumanizing….

if legal parameters are set in motion… against your liking… then so be it… it’s protecting, one hopes, for the younger generation

it sets in motion… help for parents that helpless feeling of love for… and safety netting the advance of unkind… for that child or any one.. who is bullied

impassioned

“Thank You” Greg Rikaart.

from the start of your premiere… it was set

Gloria
Michael
Kevin

add in

Lauren
Chloe

just smart, intelligent, surround

The Baldwin family uprooted Genoa City

with delish

talk about grifting… bonding… setting afire… blazing…. fun… feisty…

let’s be honest….

this trio has all the elements of intrigue

“It’s 2014, and why doesn’t the number one daytime show have a gay character?”

this would enliven so much of the cast

The #1 daytime drama does not have a gay character because it’s full of #2!!

Great!! Happy to hear that. Love it the way it is,except Adam needs to get back for Chelsea and Billy with Victoria.

The #2 daytime drama is just that!!

It would not Liven it up. It has been Successful all these years without Drastic changes. Keep it like it is Y&R I have watched you from the beginning in “73” and I’m sure many others back in our generation do not want the new changes.

I’m gay, and I believe in freedom and equal rights for all Americans who pledge allegiance to the American flag and put America first. That means equal rights for both Ms. Reeves and Mr. Rikaart. That means freedom of speech and expression, hopefully without being called out or ridiculed. As for Y&R, I’m just not sure about having a “gay story” for the sake of a “gay story”. What does a “gay story” mean anyway? I’m gay, and my life is pretty ho-hum. Not much of a story going on. I live a comfortable enjoyable life, but I’m definitely not a West Hollywood connected pretty boy clone. On that topic, what would be interesting for me would be to see a story about gay peer abuse. As a gay man, it is my own experience that gay men mistreat and abuse each other much more than we are abused by the non-gay people, but I seriously doubt that 90% of viewers would be all that interested, just like I’m not all that interested in a teen mean girls storyline. In 2014 America, it seem to be becoming a non-issue anyway, except for a few wrong wing religious fanatics, and they’ll disappear as we evolve as a society. I just feel like we should evolve beyond all the judgment and respect each others’ rights, as Americans, and who cares what that person says or who that person sleeps with. I’d rather see my vintage Y&R with its slow aging, brilliantly architected stories.

I love Greg and the character of Kevin, and it’s definitely time to a reset to him, and if that reset leads to him being gay/bisexual, then I am all up for it. What Maria said is pure BS — She just didn’t want to write for a gay character, Phillip came back and was gone before we knew it. It’s time CBS re-visits LBGT storylines, and makes them part of the number one drama.

The rumours of Noah and Fen being gay before the new regime was interesting to me, too. A gay Newman? Or a gay Abbott, even? I think switching those families up would be interesting. But Genoa City needs some fabulousness in it, and that fabulousness is a gay character. Then women like Nikki could have their GBFF, which we all know she totally would have!

With JP as one of the HWs on Y & R; I hope they never have a gay character. JP is sure to write a script where she will kill off or destroy the gay character/s; like she did on ATWT.

Please don’t have Kevin be gay.Thats just crazy.After all the years he’s been on Y&R and had girlfriends.Leave the show alone.Its Fantastic just the way it is Now!! Please no changes 🙂 BTW please bring Adam back for Chelsea.Been to long already,and MM too.

If the writers make Kevin gay there dumber than a box of rocks. Just because one soap has a gay couple doesn’t mean all soaps have to have one. Please leave things the way they are on Young and Restless.

What would be an interesting story would be instead of Kevin having this “flash of insight” that he is gay would be to have him in a friendship with a male character, someone who he leans on and helps him work through the Chloe pain and slowly coming to care for each other in a more romantic way. And, it would work best if it were someone who doesn’t enter the show as a gay character.

I have know people, both male & female, that went through very similar experiences. It doesn’t mean that they have had latent homosexual tendencies but that sexuality can be fluid and it is more about finding someone you can share your life with because of a complete range of things. Sometimes that person is of the opposite sex & sometimes not.

The only problem is that I doubt the writing staff of Y&R could do a respectful job of creating such a plot. They have done so much wrong in the last few years that going with this type of story and then screwing it up would only make Kevin (and Greg) a casualty of their ineptitude.

Why does Y&R need to “Step Up To the Plate & Make Kevin Gay?” A role should be about the acting and not an actors personal life. It would not make ANY sense after all of these years for Kevin to all of a sudden “be gay”.

There has never ever been any signs that the character was gay in any way shape or form. His inability to hold a relationship together has always been about his up bringing and to change that now just makes the character a farce.

If the actor were to leave the show and join another as a gay character, that would be a different story.

In my opinion: bad actors can only play roles that match their personal life. mediocre- good actors can only play what they are comfortable with. Great actors can play any role you give them. That’s because it’s about the acting not the actor!

I just want to see #Harder on my screen.

WOW! I’m floored.. literally!! Greg has been one of my shining stars on Y&R along w/ Billy Miller & Michael Muhney for quite a long time….very handsome w/ a five o’clock shadow! I’ve watched him w/ great admiration (and a little lust) since the beginning! Congratulations on your award, coming out w/ your partner (I’ve been w/ my partner going on 23 years while I was still in the Air Force in 1991), and working so hard for our LGBT youth… you’re an inspiration. Thanks and best to you and yours.
Jim Valenzuela

News

Robin Strasser Meets Kristen Alderson’s Baby Kiera in a One Life to Live Reunion

For years, Robin Strasser (ex-Dorian) and Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) have been the best of friends and the best of co-stars. On One Life to Live, Kristen was only six-years-old when she began her journey as Todd and Blair’s daughter and met the iconic Strasser.

Now in 2024, Kristen is a new mom to her baby girl, Kiera. Strasser, who lives in New York, along with her best friend, John, traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, just a few days ago to visit the Alderson family and spend the day with Kiera.

Taking to her Instagram a very happy Kristen shared, “Look at who came to visit today! Robin & her bestie John! Robin and I got all misty eyed when she met Kiera today!”

Photo: JPI

In a very touching part of her post, Alderson expressed, “Robin is such a special person in my life, it means so much to me that we’re as close as we are. She’s just the best❤️ A great day of laughs & a great brunch spread😍”

Robin added, “I’ve been smiling since I met her. I’m a big softie for babies, but what a doll Kiera is!” The Daytime Emmy-winning star, also shared, “I’m so grateful for my ongoing friendship with Kris and Kathy. Amazing women and loyal friends!”

What do you think about Kristen and Robin’s enduring friendship and recalling their time on One Life to Live? Comment below.

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General Hospital

Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

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Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

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