ABC's Gen. Hospital to Air Gay Friendly PSA

Mediaweek ^ | 1/12/06 | John Consoli

[Dane]

ABC's Gen. Hospital to Air Gay Friendly PSA

John Consoli

JANUARY 12, 2006 -

ABC, during its daytime soap opera General Hospital, will air a public service announcement featuring General Hospital actors Ben Hogestyn and Lindze Letherman, that urges viewers to take a stand against homophobia.

The spot will also air on the cable network SoapNet, which, like ABC, is owned by the Walt Disney Co. The spot will urge viewers to "be an ally and a friend" to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

The spot has drawn praise from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), and comes at a time when the American Family Association has called for a boycott of the NBC drama The Book of Daniel, because of its inclusion of gay characters in the storyline. The current General Hospital storyline includes a gay character who faces issues of coming out and of gay bashing.

"Whenever possible, we bring our viewers information on resourcecs available that deal with the topics addressed in our programming, as we realize they may be facing similar events in their own lives," said Brian Frons, president, ABC Daytime. "As we continue telling the coming-out story of Lucas, we felt it was extremely important that we inform our loyal viewers on where to get information on topics that affect the gay community." The PSA spot tells viewers they can find more information on the GLAAD Web site.

[Dane]

The spot will urge viewers to "be an ally and a friend" to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

Huh, I wonder when ABC will air a PSA for their viewers, "to be an ally and a friend" to conservatives, Christians, or Judge Alito for that matter.

That PSA I guess would strike to close to home for ABC, especially their news dept.

[msnimje]

Every survey I see says this group of people is roughly 1% of the population. They get a disproportionate amount of attention and mention in the media.

But this strikes me as hypocritical given that the people pushing the Homosexual Agenda say they just want to be treated the same as everyone else. What other group of people representing 1% of the population gets so much attention in the media?

[Getready]

People who need to recruit, due to dwindling partner
availability secondary to diseases, death, burn out.
People who with little family support for the future,
need a societal buyout.

[massgopguy]

Will they make Rick Springfield sing; "I wish that I WAS Jesse's girl"?

[Texas_Jarhead]

"...comes at a time when the American Family Association has called for a boycott of the NBC drama The Book of Daniel, because of its inclusion of gay characters in the storyline."

Was it because there were gay characters or because it is offensive and derogatory to Christians?

[Mathews]

I only pray that all those stay at home Moms and Housewives start screaming at the network and those advertising on Gen Hospital to stop this crap dead in its place!

[Exton1]

The correct word is homodisgustes or homoicky. I am not afraid of them, I am totally nauseating disgusted with them, because they have a high icky factor.

[TCats]

"The correct word is homodisgustes or homoicky."

Yep. I got a FReepmail from a Troll (Wytchgrrl) insulting me and accusing me of 'Homophobia'. I guess if you disapprove, find it unhealthy and, in general, barf at the thought you are Homophobic. If that's the definition then I guess am. Am I also 'Libophobic' if I disagree with Libs? By their definition I am and, when they pass the proper legislation I'll (And a lot of us) will be confronted with charges of Hate Crimes against Libs.

[Mulch]

What about a PSA promoting pedophilia while their at it?
Brian Frons

[50sDad]

Let me get this straight...I am supposed to take moral advice from a group of acters, people who make a living lying about who they really are, through a medium that shows me drug dealing, mysognomy, violence and killing?

[L98Fiero]

"...comes at a time when the American Family Association has called for a boycott of the NBC drama The Book of Daniel, because of its inclusion of gay characters in the storyline."

Was it because there were gay characters or because it is offensive and derogatory to Christians?

You know the answer. There have been gay characters in storylines my whole life, so I'm betting that's not it.

[DustyMoment]

This is so stupid, it doesn't even make sense!!

We have people who pretend to be medical professionals on a TV show going out and encouraging acceptance of lifestyles that are largely responsible for the spread of such lovely diseases as AIDS and HIV, and for the (relatively) widespread abuse of illegal drugs to "enhance" their sexual experiences. Not to mention that these same gays are showing up at hospital emergency rooms to have light bulbs, shot glasses and hamsters removed from their butts!!

Absolutely INSANE!!!!

[nmh]

I don't watch that sloop but I'm not surprised.

They'll probably want to show you this surreal, sanitized, touchy feely view of what it is like to be gay. Ah, the audience will eat it up. Forget how perverted and emotionally screwed up they really are - ah and how intolerant they are of those that disagree with their life style CHOICE.

[who knows what evil?]

Women, many of whom are "gay-friendly", are the target audience of these PSA's...that is why they are running this during a popular soap opera. For sheer entertainment; I would like to see them run this PSA during this weekend's NFL playoff games.

[who knows what evil?]

I guess if you disapprove, find it unhealthy and, in general, barf at the thought you are Homophobic.

Just once, I would like to see someone ask one of these pro-sodomites if they believe that G-d is a "homophobe". Just once.

[Mathews]

Heh heh heh! Yeah... that would go over well (pls note sarcasm).

[Republican Red]

I've watched General Hospital for over 20 years.

The setting was a hospital and the trials and tribulations of the hospital staff and their families. Not earth shaterring drama but what can I say I'm a soap watcher.

For the past few years the focus of the soap has changed to center on a lovable mobster who kills, steals and kidnaps babies. Sonny and his cute sidekick hitman Jason are the heros of the show. They have both won numerous daytime emmy awards and are the heart throbs of daytime.

Ratings for General Hospital have declined rapidly over the years.

[AppyPappy]

What kills more homosexuals in a given year?

A. Sexual Activity
B. Homophobia
C. Drugs and Alcohol
D. Domestic Violence

[Skooz]

I haven't watched General Hospital since the impossibly gorgeous Emma Samms left the show.

Even then, I never turned up the sound.

[SweetCaroline]

I only pray that all those stay at home Moms and Housewives start screaming at the network and those advertising on Gen Hospital to stop this crap dead in its place

....doubtful!

That age group of women (and men) have already been indoctrinated by the Public Schools to be sympathic to the homosexuals, cause they need love too!