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- Eurovision – Against Russia’s Drag Ban - 3 May, 2014
- Size Probably Doesn’t Matter - 10 April, 2014
- Today History Changes – Same-Sex Marriage in England & Wales - 29 March, 2014
You know we belong together, you and I forever and ever, closer each day, I’m marrying a gay…
Household names Neighbours and Home and Away have been tea time soap opera fixtures on UK TV screens for over 25 years, but the story lines never seem to quite break the boundaries we reach in our own home-grown soaps, particularly when it comes to the exploration of sexuality.
Over the years EastEnders has broken new ground with a HIV storyline with Mark Fowler and his drug abuse, Emmerdale has seen lesbian love triangles as early as the 90s, and Coronation Street has portrayed the coming out of several main characters as well as the long running inclusion of trans* character Hayley. What do our Australian counterparts offer though? Perhaps not quite a true reflection of a modern Australia.
Last year Neighbours introduced us to a new gay character, Chris Pappas and viewers were taken on the journey of him coming out to friends and family alike. Telling your neighbours you’re gay is certainly a way to make good neighbours, become good friends, after all who doesn’t want to live next to the house with the best trimmed bush, Kath Kidson curtains and a doorbell that plays a selection of Kylie’s greatest hits?
Unfortunately, although Aussie soaps appear to be lagging behind in breaking ground on certain subjects, they were presented with the opportunity to beat the UK at a storyline, a gay wedding. Although the bill has been passed in the UK it won’t be until March 29 2014 that it will come in to force. Well it could have been, had the federal government not launched a successful high court challenge, as previously Canberra had become the first Australian jurisdiction to legally recognise same sex marriage.
Despite recent developments, Ivan Hinton, who has been an advocate in the fight for same sex marriage in Australia legally married his partner of 11 years, Chris Toah in the first of several ceremonies that took place in the country on Saturday. The couple are amongst a group of more than 12 same sex couples travelling from all over the country including Queensland, Western WA and Victoria to Canberra for their ceremonies.
Unfortunately, it may still be a long way off before we see two topless hunks getting married on their surf boards on the beach, with cake from the Pier Diner served by Irene and Alf wondering which flaming mongrel is playing the role of bride. Hopefully one day we will hear the bells ringing out for a homosexual carnival of marriage in Erinsborough and Summer Bay. If that ever happens, an invite certainly needs to be sent to Charlene for her attendance.
