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LGBT Characters- Is EastEnders Falling Behind?


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Old 27-12-2016, 08:58
vaslav37
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Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks & Neighbours all have LGBT characters and I know EastEnders does with Ben, Johnny, Steven & Tina but Johnny for example has not had a storyline, Steven's bisexuality has not been discussed and Kyle Slater was axed after his Trans character was written out after his character was wasted.

EastEnders does have Derek back which is lovely but are we going to see a storyline for him? How lovely would it be to see an older gay guy arrive for Derek.

Steven's bisexuality has been ignored upon his return and Johnny has just been extra since Ted Riley took over playing him.
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Old 27-12-2016, 09:06
Hollyoaks14
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My favourite soap Hollyoaks is best at LGBT because it is so modern. It has Ste, Harry, John Paul, James, Scott, Kim, Esther and Sally St Claire.
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Old 27-12-2016, 09:06
The_abbott
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Johnny is a cardboard cut out so doesn't need to be included in anything.

I think its fine the balance they have but there is no point have LGBT characters if all the do is 'be together'. They need actual storylines beyond their sexuality.
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Old 27-12-2016, 09:11
vaslav37
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Johnny is a cardboard cut out so doesn't need to be included in anything.

I think its fine the balance they have but there is no point have LGBT characters if all the do is 'be together'. They need actual storylines beyond their sexuality.
i agree but it would be nice to see some development. Steven for example doesnt work with Lauren, Johnny desperately needs a storyline. Tom Pepper is a character who could be upgraded to a regular as well.
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Old 27-12-2016, 09:24
vald
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No offence vas but I don't know why you talk about them as if they're a separate species. Many characters are not in relationships or haven't had big stories.... Abi, Carmel, Patrick, Denise, Donna, Vincent, Jay, Kush etc., and the ones you mention are no worse off. Hopefully some or all of these characters will feature more next year.
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Old 27-12-2016, 09:24
MrJames
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There shouldn't be this incessant need to filter the show with LGBT characters. They've got LGBT characters on the show already, they've had many of them in the show in the past. There's nothing else that they really need to *say* or *prove* with LGBT, so future characters should just be able to come into the show naturally without the LGBT tag.
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Old 27-12-2016, 09:28
vaslav37
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No offence vas but I don't know why you talk about them as if they're a separate species. Many characters are not in relationships or haven't had big stories.... Abi, Carmel, Patrick, Denise, Donna, Vincent, Jay, Kush etc., and the ones you mention are no worse off. Hopefully some or all of these characters will feature more next year.
This thread wasnt meant to for them to be classed as separate species - apologise.
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Old 27-12-2016, 09:31
vald
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This thread wasnt meant to for them to be classed as separate species - apologise.
I know you mean well but isn't it time to drop this whole us and them mentality.
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Old 27-12-2016, 09:35
nightwish1990
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I know you mean well but isn't it time to drop this whole us and them mentality.
Exactly this is 2016 not 1986. Move on. The only person making it an issue is Vas.
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Old 27-12-2016, 09:46
_elly001
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I know you mean well but isn't it time to drop this whole us and them mentality.
Vald, I agree with you a lot but not on this. In a world where kids are still being bullied at school for being gay, where in many pockets of society LGBT people are still subject to harrasment, assaults and hate crimes, shows like EE can go a long way to dispelling myths and challenging prejudices.

Vas isn't calling for special treatment of LGBT characters, just that the writing and development of these characters is improved. And I don't see anything wrong with that. You just need to look at the introduction, use and exit of Kyle to see that EE has a long way to go in getting this right.
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Old 27-12-2016, 10:29
vald
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Vald, I agree with you a lot but not on this. In a world where kids are still being bullied at school for being gay, where in many pockets of society LGBT people are still subject to harrasment, assaults and hate crimes, shows like EE can go a long way to dispelling myths and challenging prejudices.

Vas isn't calling for special treatment of LGBT characters, just that the writing and development of these characters is improved. And I don't see anything wrong with that. You just need to look at the introduction, use and exit of Kyle to see that EE has a long way to go in getting this right.
People get bullied for many, many reasons.

And a lot of characters are poorly used......Buster, Andy, Belinda and yes Kyle. I suspect in his case it was because he was a poor actor.

Whilst I'm with him on using characters better it should apply to all of them, some have been there a very long time and been wasted year after year. Just look at the likes of Tamwar and Jay.
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Old 27-12-2016, 10:40
vaslav37
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and our beloved Cora Vald.
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Old 27-12-2016, 10:49
vald
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and our beloved Cora Vald.
Oh yes. And I'd add Masood and Vincent. I even remember Pat not having a s/l for years on end.
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Old 27-12-2016, 11:01
_elly001
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People get bullied for many, many reasons.

And a lot of characters are poorly used......Buster, Andy, Belinda and yes Kyle. I suspect in his case it was because he was a poor actor.

Whilst I'm with him on using characters better it should apply to all of them, some have been there a very long time and been wasted year after year. Just look at the likes of Tamwar and Jay.
Nobody is bullied for being straight. Please don't pretend that this country treats LGBT people completely equally to straight people because it's simply untrue.

I'm not denying that other characters get poor development on occasion but when the producer makes a big song and dance about bringing in a transgender character, only to ignore him once the storyline about his being transgender is out of the way with, there is a basic issue there with depiction of LGBT characters that needs to be addressed.
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Old 27-12-2016, 11:05
Pink_Smurf
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Hollyoaks is the best for LGBT characters. They have stories that don't necessarily revolve around their sexuality. Ste has kids he hasn't seen as much as he wants as a result of his drug taking and basically chaotic lifestyle. He was hooked on crystal meth. The headmistress of the local school is trans and her son is gay but they have scenes about other stuff rather than just being trans or gay. I like Emmerdale too. Finn finding his first love was so sweet. I love the way him and his new love have been brought together. I think it is important to show LGBT characters as just being like everyone else, with lives and stories about all sorts of stuff including relationship but other stuff too. It's part of every day life.
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Old 27-12-2016, 11:20
vaslav37
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Thank you all for your contributions to this thread.
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Old 27-12-2016, 11:21
vaslav37
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Hollyoaks is the best for LGBT characters. They have stories that don't necessarily revolve around their sexuality. Ste has kids he hasn't seen as much as he wants as a result of his drug taking and basically chaotic lifestyle. He was hooked on crystal meth. The headmistress of the local school is trans and her son is gay but they have scenes about other stuff rather than just being trans or gay. I like Emmerdale too. Finn finding his first love was so sweet. I love the way him and his new love have been brought together. I think it is important to show LGBT characters as just being like everyone else, with lives and stories about all sorts of stuff including relationship but other stuff too. It's part of every day life.
Finn & his partner are lovely and i adore Aaron.
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Old 27-12-2016, 11:29
vald
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Nobody is bullied for being straight. Please don't pretend that this country treats LGBT people completely equally to straight people because it's simply untrue.

I'm not denying that other characters get poor development on occasion but when the producer makes a big song and dance about bringing in a transgender character, only to ignore him once the storyline about his being transgender is out of the way with, there is a basic issue there with depiction of LGBT characters that needs to be addressed.
I'm not saying that Elly. But people get bullied for being women, for being black or white, for being shy or timid, for being fat or less than beautiful or just because.....

I'm not minimising the problem but it is far reaching.

The thread was about the use of characters, and whilst I agree that many are poorly served, it applies to a whole variety of characters and not just the few.
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Old 27-12-2016, 11:31
bass55
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EastEnders has a woeful record when it comes to the representation of gay characters. They just cannot write for LGBT characters in the same way Corrie or Emmerdale do; almost all of EE's gay characters end up tokenistic (Johnny, Kyle) or poor stereotypes, or both (Tina). Christian Clarke is the closest the show has come in recent years to a compelling portrayal of a gay man, and even he became bogged down in an increasingly dull relationship with Syed.

Hollyoaks used to be miles ahead of the big three when it came to the portrayal of gay characters and the challenges young LGBT people face. The John Paul and Craig story in the 00s was absolutely perfect and so true to life. It was so closely aligned with my own experiences as a gay teenager it was a bit scary; like watching my own life played out on screen
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Old 27-12-2016, 11:34
vaslav37
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EastEnders is poor at the moment on this but let us not forget Home & Away is bottom of the league table on LGBT issues.
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Old 27-12-2016, 11:42
joe gillott
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No offence vas but I don't know why you talk about them as if they're a separate species. Many characters are not in relationships or haven't had big stories.... Abi, Carmel, Patrick, Denise, Donna, Vincent, Jay, Kush etc., and the ones you mention are no worse off. Hopefully some or all of these characters will feature more next year.
Denise and Jay have had big storylines this year. Jay has the sex offenders stuff which caused him to be kicked out the family and his struggle afterwards, and eventually they realise and welcome him back. Denise has the baby storyline granted it's dull though. She has also been working to better herself without needing someone to care for and step putaide her comfort zone and that fling with Kush.
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Old 27-12-2016, 11:54
vaslav37
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I could see Kush with Vicki if she returns.
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Old 27-12-2016, 12:00
vald
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Denise and Jay have had big storylines this year. Jay has the sex offenders stuff which caused him to be kicked out the family and his struggle afterwards, and eventually they realise and welcome him back. Denise has the baby storyline granted it's dull though. She has also been working to better herself without needing someone to care for and step putaide her comfort zone and that fling with Kush.
I mentioned them as two who never get relationships...at least ones of any significance. And they must be their first s/ls in years.
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Old 27-12-2016, 12:44
Adam_Manneh1
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i agree but it would be nice to see some development. Steven for example doesnt work with Lauren, Johnny desperately needs a storyline. Tom Pepper is a character who could be upgraded to a regular as well.
I'm LGBT myself and I have had enough LGBT storylines for now in EE. All i ever is,is affairs or 2 LGBT characters getting together.
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Old 27-12-2016, 12:45
PDS1985
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Steven's bisexuality has been ignored upon his return and Johnny has just been extra since Ted Riley took over playing him.
I agree Johnny could have more storylines

As for Steven, I agree and Emmerdale has done that with Debbie and Charity as well so it's not just EastEnders that has done this.
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