Wilde Yearnings

• Gays of our Lives

  Posted: April 15, 2009, 6:07 pm by Wildeyearnings

  I don't watch much tv outside of sports. DSTV (a digital tv service available in most African countries) has about 9 sports channels dedicated to sports 24 hours a day, making this one of the greatest things that ever happened to me. :)
  
  Well anyway, my attention was drawn by my sister to a local Kenyan sitcom/soap called Wash n Set which apparently features a gay characterin a minor role. The sitcom is based on the antics in a Nairobi hairdressing parlour so I suppose having a gay character, was inevitable. I watched this show...and well... no comment on the show itself ;). However I was rather tickled to see an extremely flamboyantly acting young man in the show. No one ever refers to his sexuality though but there are several innuendos/nuances.
  
  Fascinating stuff! To have a gay character (even if its never actually referred to) on a local Kenyan TV channel? You'd think this would invoke shock, froth and outrage from the ultra conservative Kenyan religious junta... but surprisingly none has been forthcoming. Perhaps we're too busy following the yawn-fest that is our coalition government's antics?
  
  It is ironic that DSTV, which a South African based digital tv network broadcasts quite a number of television shows with gay characters and these are shown in a number of African countries, most of which criminalise same-sex relationships in varying degrees. (South Africa is the only African country that recognises same-sex marriage and relationships and guarantees the same protection under the law). So the queer folk like me do get to enjoy some gay moments on TV every now and again. Kudos SA!
  
  Anyway, to celebrate fictional gay characters on TV, here are some of sister's favourites: (She's got good taste- and I am taking full reponsibility for that :) All these shows are shown on DSTV.
  
  UK's teen drama Skins ( that my sister adores). Lots of stuff in a teens life; you know -teen angst, relationships, alcohol abuse, more angst, A-levels, pregnancy scares, even more angst etc and features a gay character as one of the main cast members.
  
  
  
  An American drama: Greek- Calvin and Michael - an interracial gay couple which warms my heart...and other parts....
  
  
  
  From the US, comedy drama Ugly Bettty- which I've actually never sat down and watched. I must rectify this as I adore Vanessa Williams. Marc is Vanessa's character's openly gay assistant on the show.
  
  
  
  
  
  From the UK, a teen drama: Hollyoaks- John Paul and Craig (this picture alone almost makes me want to move back to the UK...almost.)
  
  
  
  UK's Torchwood- I actually watch this one sometimes.For fans of the British cult series Dr. Who, Torchwood is a spin-off starring Captain Jack Harkness. There are about 1000001 awesome things about this show, I can't list them all! We have an openly gay actor, John Barrowman, playing a bisexual alien-hunting, coat-wearing hero. Captain Jack who is from the 51st Century doesn't mind a bit of nookie with man, woman or alien! Now this my my kinda guy!
  
  
  
  
  
  And just because I can, I leave you with ( openly straight) Taye Diggs because he makes being stuck in the office in this sweltering heat so much more bearable.
  
  

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