Parents...

Chryed and Syed's family. And Amira.

Watching Chryed I also got reminded of how awful his parents are most of the time! Ok, they are muslim, and the storyline is really important, but I just hate when parents are homophobes! It's the most heartbreaking thing to ever witness! And Nitin Ganatra and Nina Wadia (Zainab & Masood) made a really good job portraing dirtbags! I lost count how many times they disowned Syed! But, fortunately, they came to turns with it eventually. When Christian and Syed finally got married they were almost even sweet!

Sam Strike & Kellie Bright.

And speaking of Eastenders, Zainab and Masood has not been the only ones. When Johnny Carter (Sam Strike/Ted Reilly) came out early in 2014 his mother Linda Carter just couldnt accept it! I mean, in 2014! His dad, Mick (Danny Dyer) was much more supportive and relaxed about it. But Linda was just awful! Ok, she has gotten over it now but I just can't forgive her for it! She is always going to be poison to me!

Lari & Ilkka.

Another classic homophobic biggot is Ilkka Väänänen (Ari-Matti Hedman) from Salatut Elämät. We all thought that he might be ok when he didn't make any fuzz right there and then when he saw Lari and Elias on the sofa when he forgot his wallet. But we were so wrong! Another dad disowning his son and he even tried to "cure" him by sending Lari to an anti-gay camp. Just awful! Poor Lari! I wonder what would have happened to Larias if Ilkka weren't such a jerk?

Clemens Löhr & Alexander Becht.

This is actually quite interesting. When Nik Breidenbach played Alexander Cöster in GZSZ we was a homophobe, but when Clemens Löhr took over the part he was not. Not as much at least. Early in the days, Alexander of some reason believed that lenny was gay and Lenny tricked Alexander that he was just because he was a homophobic bully as a father. Not really nice at all. But when they changed actor and Lenny got together with Carsten everything was forgiven and forgotten. I like the new Alexander better. Definitely.

Jo Weil & Thore Schölermann.

Even the wonderful Oliver Sabel had a homophobic mother. His aunt Charlie was really nomal, but his mother Henriette was bitter and religious and didn't want her son to marry the love of his life. Christian that is. But she finally came around. But she was that unimportant that there's no good pictures of her on the net. That might as well be just as good. I never liked her.

Dennis Grabosch & Hartmut Volle.

Roman Wild in Alles Was Zählt even lied about his parents living in Australia because they were homophobes who had disowned him. It was just because Roman's little brother Florian moved/fled to Roman that we got to meet Roman's biggoty father Egon. I would rather have been without that acquaintance. Really. He never became better. He was just creapy.

Scott & Lisa Evans.

Surprise surprise, there's also American religious homophobic and biggoty parents. When Oliver Fish in One Life to Live finally came out his parents didn't approve ofcourse. Fortunately for us, Fish chose Kyle and not his mother. A fun fact is that it was Scott Evans' real mother Lisa who played barbara Fish for some episodes. We can't really accuse Lisa Evans for being agreat actor, but who is in a soap opera hey? Except for Danny Miller!

Daniel Hugh Kelly.

And I don't think anyone could accuse Winston Mayer for being a cozy and sweet guy. He was just awful! A manipulative stridspitt (that's swedish. Try working out what it means if you can!) that only cared about himself.He even tried to kill Noah's (Jake Silbermann) great love Luke (van Hansis). Luke got shot and couln't walk for while just because of this awful man! Every time he came back the Nuke storyline just got a little bit more angstly. Did not like him at all.

Nicolas Herman & Bernard Allouf.

Words can't enough how much I detest Yves Barrel, the father of Nicolas Barrel from Plus Belle la Vie. He is just pure evil! Homophobic, murderous, violent, manipulative, abusive... He is just it all. And that's not a good thing. The only good thing about him was that he disappeared eventually. The bad thing was that Nicolas disappeared about the same time. I miss Nicolas! It's a wonder he ended up such a nice person (when he wasn't a druggie) with that father. He and Egon Wild is kind of the same character. And that's no good thing!

Joshua Pascoe and Steve McFadden.

And let's go back to where we started. Eastenders. ben Mitchell (Joshua Pascoe/Harry Reid) has not had it easy. Phil Mitchell, his father, is not a very nice man. Ben has a homophobic father who kind of maid him get a beard not to loose him, his mother came back from the dead and he also was in prison for killing his stepmother's best friend. But I believe that was an accident... Anyhow, I don't ever think Phil Mitchel will approve of his gay son. Even though he is trying. But fake it you make it is not reallyPhil Mitchell's strong side. But I am open for being convinced otherwise!

Annoying Ameeira

Tala Ashe.

Preeya Kalidas.

Watching Eastenders and Chryed again I remember how annoying Amira (Preeya Kalidas), Syed's wife that is. Mostly because she's in the way for Christian and Syed! And she's quite spoiled. And married to Syed. And not Christian Clarke. And I wonder, is she the same character as Ameera (Tala Ashe) in As the World Turns? Seems like it! They are even called the same! Kind of. And she is in the way of Nuke. And married to Noah. Ok, she's not spoiled but she's not Luke Snyder! And there's just something really whiny about them! And I wonder, why are they always making the beards "charlies" with no own will? If the gays takes beards who are strong and have great confidence they will become charlies just as they start a relationship with the gays. Annoying enough. But I am glad Ameera never got pregnant. Noah at least came out in time and avoided impregnating his wife. But, thinking of it, I think Noah was the beard in that storyline! Well well...

Chryed again

John Partridge & Marc Elliott.

After all he depressing storylines (JP screwed James Nightingale, Robron broke up, Paul Coker's gonna die and don't even mention Lalle) I just couldn't stand anything that is not ended because I'm not sure what happens and my next heartbreak will be. I can't even stand Thomas and Florian right now because I know it will not end well. I wanted something casual that I know will end well. So I started watching Chryed again! I at least know that will have a happy ending! I have to say that I'm enjoying it a lot! I loved that storyline! The dynamics between Christian Clarke and Syed Masood is really interesting and the actors John Partridge and Marc Elliott have great chemistry! And it's in english so I don't have to read any subtitles. I don't dislike subtitles at all but sometimes, like when I have over 200 grades to distribute I want something in a language I understand at least so I can surf on knitted socks on my mobile at the same time. So, I think I will stick with Chryed for a while. I am still hoping for them to come back at some point! But that will be after Isaac Mayfield has perform what ever he is up to in Holby City. Too bad Marc can't starr in both Eastenders and Holby City at the same time. I guess. Or maybe he can!

Some good news

Danny Miller & Ryan Hawley.

At least Robron seems to be doing quite good. Obiously Robert has been staying the night and we can just imagine what happened there... I am really enjyoing happy Robron as a couple, and I am waiting for the first kiss in public, but I'm sure there will be a big Liv-cloud appearing. She is really annoying and she is clearly bad news. She is really a younger Aaron with longer hair. A classic Emmerdale character.

Marc Elliott & David Ames.

And there's also this! There's a whole new series for me to go out for. Ok, Holby City has been airing since 1999, but I haven't seen a single episode, and I haven't seen any of the gay storylines. There has been a Dan and a Malick, but that's just a whole undiscovered world for me. I don't even know where to see that storyline. And then since 2013 there has been a Dominic Copeland, played by David Ames, who has had some flings and love interests, but none of them really successful if I have got it right. But in June Marc Elliott comes along! Or Isaac Mayfield that is. I just love Marc Elliott! He was great as Syed Masood in Eastenders and I am so looking forward to seeing him in a gay storyline again! So I just have to start watching Holby City now!

Really Eastenders? Again?!

Abi Branning & Ben Mitchell.

Are you for real Eastenders?! Haven't we seen this before in hmm... Eastenders?! Yes we have. Is it really necessary to have all the gay characters making some girl pregnant? So, next on the list is Ben Mitchell (Harry Reid). Again! Is this the end of Pen? I refuse to believe that! This is 2016 and this is the year that every gay storyline is going my way! To show you how used this plot is just keep reading.

1982-ish - Steven Carrington

Jack Coleman and some baby.

Ok, it was kind of off-screen, and Steven Carrington (Jack Coleman) was actually married to the mother Sammy-Jo (Heather Locklear) but he was gay and he did make some girl pregnant. If he just had come out when he wanted, that would never have happened. So, already in the 80's in Dynasty for heaven's sake! 

2009 - Oliver Fish

Scott Evans and some baby.

In 2009 Oliver Fish  (Scott Evans) from One Life to Live was so deep down in the closet that he had to sleep with Stacy Morasco to feel better when he was drunk. And she wanted to get pregnant so win-win I guess. But Stacy died and daddy had a new boyfriend so Sierra Rose got to daddys instead and actually, even though I don't like babies in soaps, I would really have liked to see more of the really cute family of Fish, Kyle and Sierra Rose. It's a shame that USA is full of homophobic biggots among all the nice people there, so the characters had to leave the show, of course.

2010 - Syed Masood

Marc Elliott and some baby.

The first time Eastenders did it. Syed was the muslim guy who felt he had to get married to a woman to please his parents and who ever, and when his wife Amira got to know that her husband was gay she was already pregnant, but she left Walford and Syed got to meet his daughter for the first time in 2012. But Syed's boyfriend Christian Clarke (John Partridge) is delighted because they are planning to get a baby anyway and he does call Yasmin his and Syed's daughter more than once. An Amiras. But it seems that it is working out. But I am wondering, when is both Syed and Christian doing a guest appearance together? We miss you Chryed!

2010-ish Deniz Öztürk

Igor Dolgatschew and aothers and some baby.

In 2010 or something Deniz (Igor Dolgatschew) is drunk and sleeps with his father's girlfriend Jessica. That is the final stroke for DeRo I think. Ok, the got back together in the end but it was never the same. Roman died and Deniz got back to just girls and he meets his son Jonas once in a while. This was a really really reaaally lousy storyline fron Alles Was Zählt. I hated it. I don't want to talk about it.

2011 - Ben Mitchell

Steve McFadden and some baby.

There's no picture with both Ben and his daughter Lexi so we have to do with granpa Mitchell instead. Well, it seems like Ben doesn't really care about his baby, but he kind of was in prison back then so we never really had a storyline with those two. And I guess the writers kind of forgot about it at the time whe he got out or something. In 2011 Ben Mitchell (then played by Joshua Pascoe) slept with Lola Pearce while he was drunk and I guess it was some kind of gay-straight experiment. So, if Ben already has an "accident" child, why is he making another? We all know that he is gay.
 

2012 - Will Horton

Chandler Massey and some baby.

In 2012 Will Horton had an one-night stand with his ex Gabi and of course she got pregnant. Ok, this is not the worst baby-storyline and Arianna got to very loving fathers in Will and Sonny (Freddie Smith) but babies in soap operas are so boring! No, I do not approve Days, I do not approve.

2014 - Ste Hay

Kieron Richardson, Ross Adams and some baby.

So even in Hollyoaks. Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson) had av very drunk one-night stand with the dreadful Sinead O'Connor in 2014 and that resulted in baby Hannah. Ste's husband John Paul (James Sutton) accepted it but Ste got and had a crush on some boring guy named Harry and I don't really care anymore. It could have been so good with Ste, JP, Leah, Lucas, Matthew and Hannah, but no. I am disappointed. 

2014 - Lari Väänänen

Ronny Roslöf and some baby.

And also in 2014 in Finland. Salatut Elämät also wants to do the baby storyline. Lari (Ronny Roslöf) also had a drunk one-night stand (there's a lot of those) with a girl, Sanni, who just happens to be the little sister of Kalle (Pete Lattu) Lari's future boyfriend. Boring, unecessary drama, the baby doesn't add any good to the soap, can't you just let Lalle to be happy?! I would.

And of course, there's more gay characters with babies in soap operas, Brendan Brady and John Paul McQueen for instance, but Brendan was married and an irish catholic back then and JP actually got baby Matthew with Craig before Craig shove of, so I don't think that those count. But do you see know Eastenders just how old this is? Why can't you just come up with something new? I am not looking forward to this!

Movember

Ok, I'm back. But barely. I still miss Lalle. This is a great loss for mer. But ok, life has to go on. And I still have hope!

Dolph Lundgren.

What you can see above is Dolph Lundgren as a läderbög, a leather gay that is, in the Swedish show Melodifestivalen. That is what you might think of when you think of gays with a mustache. But I have to tell you, there's not many ut there! At least not many that I have found. Here's my finds:

Emmett J. Scanlan as Brendan Brady.

Of course there's Brendan Brady, the super villain in Hollyoaks. The villain we all love to love because we just can't hate him! I absolutely adore both Brendan and Emmett. But that's old news. Oh I do miss Brendan! And his mustache! Best tash ever!

Murray Bartlett as Dom Basaluzzo.

And here's Dom in Looking. A funny story actually, Murray Bartlett had his mustache grow when he was in Egypt not to look like a tourist and to fit in and he still had it whn he auditioned for Looking and when he got the part they asked him to keep it. An excellent story! Dom is quite boring but at least he is anice guy. With a nice mustache.

John Partridge who played Christian Clarke.

When Jon Partridge came back for Lucy's funeral in 2014 suddenly he had a mustache! I'm not sure if I like it... Mustaches are usually quite creepy. If you have a mustache you should also have a beard! If you're not Brendan Brady that is. Even though I love Emmett with a beard! But at least we can guess that Syed like's the tash. Or at least tolerates it.

Petteri Paavola with a tash.

Ok, this is not really Elias but Pauli, and it's not Salatut Elämät but Satula. but Petteri Paavola has a mustache. He got that from travelling around the world. Perhaps he was in Egypt to?

So, that was all I found. Do you know any more on screen gays with a tash? Pleease tell me!

Finally Ben!

Harry Reid as Ben Mitchell and Jonny Labey as Paul Coker.

Finally it seems like Eastenders is going to start to deliver! I have been waiting for a romance for Ben Mitchell since the character came back this October. I really don't count Abi because SHE IS A GIRL! I really really hope that this will be a romance that lasts. It's been way too long since Christian and Syed left.

Paul Coker.

So, Paul Coker, who is played by Jonny Labey, is the grandson of the etablated characters Les and Pam Coker, and he is stated to be a fun and honest character who is always in the centre of the attention. It also says that:

His natural confidence is born of knowing and being comfortable with exactly who he is.

It really seems promising! He is going to show up in June and you can see some bits that is to come in the Eastenders official summers trailer below. I am really looking forward to it! And seems to be just what our beloved Ben Mitchell needs!

Halo

Some time ago I blogged about some favourite fanvids, among others a special one with Lucas and Edwin from Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden. Well, as I told you a couple of days ago I haven't seen that storyline yet but I love the video anyway. And there's something very athmosphearic about that fanvid combined with that music. That is Halo with Beyoncé. Well, there's more great fanvids with that music.

How about my favourite couple of all time: Fervid? Ok, it's not the best picture quality, but there's Fer and David and what's not to like?

Well, there's another one. A little shorter, but a little better quality.

An there's a really great WilSon fanvid. WilSon when Chandler Massey played Will. I love that time. Ok, Will and Sonny are not my favourites, but they're really cute. Esecially in their early days.

But McDean are among my favourites. I think they're lovely! John Paul is lovely, whoever he is with! I really loved him with Craig and it breaks my heart again and again that Craig left him.

And speaking of Hollyoaks, here's Ste and Doug, that is: Stug. A really lovely couple. I loved them together, even though I was a Stendan shipper all through the storyline. Ste and Doug where good for eachother. I insist on that.

Another couple that was (or is because they're still together) good together was Christian and Syed in Eastenders. Even though there were lots and lots of angst and agony, they evolved eachother in a good way. Really really good for eachother.

And last but not least: Chrolli! One of the most amazing couples ever! Christian and Oliver was made for eachother and I will never forgive Verbotene Liebe for ruining that beautiful Romeo & Romeo lovestory!

And there's another one.

And another one. There can never be enough wonderful fanvids. Especially such as these.

The last of Johnny

Sam Strike as Johnny Carter.

On the day before Christmas it was the last appearance of Johnny Carter in Eastenders, about a year before he turned up. The storyline was promising with an early snog with Danny Pennant (Gary Lucy), a character I never really liked, but there was some quite cute flirting and it could have been interesting.

Sam Strike as Johnny and Danny Dyer as Mick Carter.

Later on, Eastenders gave us one of the most amazing and beautiful coming out moments ever. When Johnny came out for his father Mick, I think there was more than me who got wet eyes. And Mick Carter really is a perfect example how a parent should react. Johnnys mother, Linda, is an example on how a parent should not react...

Gianluca and Johnny.

This summer, Johnny had fling with an italian guy, Gianluca (Gabriele Lombardo), and at last we could see some more snogging. Don't get me wrong, it was really cute, but a little bit to sweet and awkward. We would have likes a little more passion in the kissing. But it would do.

Harry Reid as Ben Mitchell and Steve McFadden as Phil Mitchell.

And then Ben Mitchell came back. Ben is the son of Phil Mitchell and Kathy Beale (fun fact: actor Gillian Taylforth also playes Sandy Roscoe in Hollyoaks) who just came out from prison for killing his stepmothers friend. Ben is recasted by Harry Reid, but we have seen him before played by four other actors.

Joshua Pascoe as Ben Mitchell.

Between 2010 and 2012 Ben Mitchell was played by Joshua Pascoe, and back then we learned that he was gay when he had a little snog with his friend Duncan and he also had a crush on no other than Christian Clarke (John Partridge), but is rejected and accuses him for abuse. Chrstian, however is cleared from those accusations. Back then I didn't really like Ben. I mean, his snogging to his friend Duncan is cute, but anyone who tries to break u Christian and Syed (Marc Elliott) doesn't get my approval. But, after a few years jail, I have to say that I like Ben.

Ben tries to kiss Johnny.

But something weird has happened. Well, Ben lost his virginity to a girl, and then stated that he dfinitely is gay, but when he came back from jail and tried to snog Johnny, he was back in denial again. How did that happen? The classical line "I am not gay" has been used several times since Ben came back in October.

Well, Ben and Johnny never happened. On the 23'rd of December actually Johnny left Walford to travel with his old fling Gianluca. I like that Johnny andd Gianluca kind of had a happy ending, but I am annoyed about the meaningless storyline of Johnny Carter. He was only there for a year and he almost had no action at all. I really think that the Johnny and Ben storyline had potential and was hoping for that. But, you'll never know, maybe Johnny will come back to his wacky family. And Ben Mitchell has potential. He is in denial and he has an alibi girlfriend so this might be a real classical soapy gay storyline, just in my taste.

Some New Years specials

There have been som nice New Years episodes through the years. Not all soaps are on a break over Christmas, New Years and summer, thank gods. Here are some of my favourites.

Syed, Amira and Christian.

First of all we have the New Years kiss between Christian and Syed (Eastenders) from 2009. There are just rubbish pictures (even my own screenshots) so you'll have to settle with one of Syed kissing Amira instead, while Christian is watching. Awful. But the Chryed kiss was great! Just before the Masood wedding Christian (John Partridge) leaves Walford because of a broken heart, but comes home just for the midnight to give Syed (Marc Elliott) a kiss. It is so romantic, and there is so much pain. I love it!

Tom & Ulli.

Another favourite is actually from the millennium when Tom and Ulli (Verbotene Liebe) got together. And yet another rubbish picture. Tom (Kay Böger) and Ulli (Andreas Stenschke) had been tangled here and there for a while (well, Ulli had a girlfriend, of course) but in New Years eve Ulli finally had the guts to tell Tom his true feelings and from there there was no turning back. The coupled shared a cozy moment in front of the fireplace, and it is a classical scene indeed. To watch it follow the link.

Deniz and Roman on New Years eve.

The Germans know how to do it. Another cute New Years kiss is actually one of DeRo's (Alles Was Zählt) cutest. And yay, a great picture! Well, all of their kisses were cute. But this was special. It was playful and happy, which was not the case of their relationship at this time. Roman (Dennis Grabosch) was unemployed and Deniz (Igor Dolgatschew) was a model. But it was a happy time if you compare to what was to come... And there was also another New Years eve when Deniz dpent it with Vanessa instead of Roman but let's not talk about that!

Those were my favourites. And they were only three! So here is a bonus. Will and Sonny (Days of our lives) from last New Years eve.

Will (Chandler Massey) and Sonny (Freddie Smith).

I need to collect some more favourites I think... Any suggestions?

A little bit more "retro": This Life

I have to be honest. Lately I haven't felt like watching much. I am watching the upcoming episodes of Degrassi, General Hospital and Larias, but I just don't feel like catching up with Verbotene Liebe, Hollyoaks, Eastenders and Days. And if I don't watch much, I don't have as much to blog about. But I can't neglect my readers so I will recommend yet another series, and that is one of my favourites: This Life.

The This Life cast.

This Life was aired 1996-1997 and was about five 20 something friends who shared living i London. In the beginning, all of them was working with law something. And it was great. A good plot and great actors. I mean, Jack Davenport and Andrew Lincoln. What's not to like?

Jason Hughes as Warren Jones.

And of course, there was a couple of gay characters. In series 1, Warren Jones was a regular. He was, if I can remember it right, a bit of a closetered gay guy. Warren was played by Jason Hughes, and yes, it is the same guy that is helping Inspector Barnaby sloving murders in Midsomer.

Ramon Tikaram as Ferdinand "Ferdy" Garcia.

At some point, Warren hooks up with Ferdinand "Ferdy" Garcia (Ramon Tikaram). Ferdy has a girlfriend but apparently likes boys as well. But it doesn't end well and Warren leaves the series and Ferdy moves in to the house and becomes a regular. And some fun facts: Ramon Tikaram who plays Ferdy is also the actor who plays Amira, Syeds wife, in Eastenders. he is a bad ass homophobe. But Ferdy on his hand, hooks up with Lenny, played by Tony Curran, who is one of my favourite actors (I have many) and that is always a pleasure to watch.

I really think you should see This Life, because it's a joy! I haven't found This Life somewhere online, but you can buy it on Play.com, Amazon and Ebay. It is well worth it!

Finally some action for Johnny!

Sam Strike as Johnny Carter.

By the year-end a new gay character appeared in Eastenders. Johnny Carter, played by Sam Strike, moved with his family to Walford and the parents Mick and Linda took over the pub The Queen Victoria. Quite early it was clear that Johnny was gay when he snogged bisexual Danny Pennant (Gary Lucy) who back in the days also snogged Syed Masood before he left Walford.

Gary Lucy and Sam Strike.

Nothing really developed there because Johnny didn't really seem to be interested and Danny was in fact together with Lucy Beale at the time. Anyways, because of some insinuating from Johnnys sister Nancy about Johnnys sexuality, his father Mick, played by Danny Dyer, questions him about it.. Johnny denies it at first, then he breaks down and admits the truth.

Johnny and Mick Carter.

The scene is really heartbreaking and beautiful, because daddy Mick is really understanding and supportive. A very good example of a supportive parent! Unfortunately Johnnys mother Linda (Kellie Bright) is not that supportive. She even denies that Johnny is gay and is talking something about reversing him. Not a good example there... Johnny on his hand becomes good friends with Whitney Dean who seems to have crush on Johnny, and Linda of course hopes for a development there.

About there I stopped watching this storyline. Half of a year later anything still hasen't happened for Johnny and I basically got bored. My aim was to start watching again when it was a little bit more interesting. And finally the time has come! Some episodes ago Johnny visited the London Pride festival and it seems he met a hottie there. We haven't seen more than some beer-drinking yet, but the spoilers tell us that there will be som snogging, I guess this week!

Johnny and Gianluca.

The beaus name is Gianluca (Gabriele Lombardo) and he is italian. It seems that he will be returning to Italy so let's see if the love story between him and Johnny develops. I certainly hope so! It's really time for Johnny to get some action! There is hope for Eastenders!

Gay weddings

Sonny Kiriakis and Will Horton at their wedding.

This week the first gay male wedding i a daytime soap in USA happened. There are a lot of daily, and long-running, soaps in USA so it was about time. The supercouple Will Horton (played by Guy Wilson, previously by Chandler Massey) and Sonny Kiriakis (played by Freddie Smith) from Days of our lives finally tied bands. The couple has been an item since 2012 and finally there was a wedding. It was just as sugery and sleazy as to expect from an american wedding. This with own wedding vows is nothing we are used to in Sweden. We are quite sparing with feelings. But it was cute and we do need lot's and lot's of same sex weddings in american TV.

Kevin Walker and Scotty Wandell in Brothers & Sisters.

It has happened before, but not in a daytime show. In 2008 Kevin Walker (Matthew Rhys) and Scotty Wandell (Luke Macfarlane) got married in the ABC series Bothers & Sisters. They even had Calista Flockhart (Kevin's sister Kitty) as a wedding officiant. The couple are cute as hell and they even got children. We need more of those role models in american TV.

There might be more gay weddings in american TV-shows but they are few. And we have some here and there in the world, but it is not naturally obvious that a same-sex couple can get married, not even in soaps. It is not for instance not allowed in Finland and Germany, the home of Larias, Chrolli and DeRo among others. But that didn't stop Christian and Oliver to get married - twice.

Jo Weil and Thore Schölermann as Olli and Christian.

In Germany it is allowed to enter into partnership since 2001, and that's what Christian Mann (Thore Schölermann) and Oliver Sabel (Jo Weil) did in 2010. And then again in 2012 after a divorse they regretted just a couple of days afterwards. But in Verbotene Liebe, Christian and Olli never talked about anything else than that they were going to get married. The first wedding was even in a church, with a homosexual priest. You can make a "real" church wedding, even though you are not allowed to. But it is really about time for Germany to institute same sex marriage while being such a modern and gay-friendly country.

Menno Kuiper and Lucas Sanders in white.

The Netherlands was the first country to institute same-sex weddings in 2001 and this year they even got a soap gay wedding. Lucas Sanders (ferry Doedens) finally got to keep a love and gets to marry Menno Kuiper (Dave Mantel) in white, in a church (it seems) with Lucas father as a wedding officiant. Beautiful!

Christian Clarke and Syed Masood.

And there finally was a wedding between Christian Clarke (John Partridge) and Syed Masood (Marc Elliott in the British long running show Eastenders. It almost didn't happen, but Syed appeared just in the last second before the wedding officiant left. This happened in 2012, but it was not until this year, 2014, the law about same-sex marriages has became reality for the citicens of England, Wales and Scotland. Northen Ireland still has som leaps to go. In the Christian and Syed wedding Christian said in his (yet again quite cheesy) vows to Syed that he loves him more than all the stars in the heaven. If that isn't love, I don't know what is.

David and Fer kissing, after David's been steeling one of the grooms.

There almost was a gay wedding in Spanish Física o Química in 2010 between Fer and Borja, but just as the couple was going to say yes, David entered the chapel and Fer got doubts. After kissing in the rain and becoming wet, fer decided to go for David instead (yay!) and the couple even asked the wedding officiant to marry them right there and then. But she didn't want to. Bummer. The home country of the actors Adrian Rodriguez and Javier Calvo has gender neutral marriage since 2005, so it could have become reality, right there and then. Unfortunately Fer dies in the next season. Bummer again.

Stefan Holmberg and Micki Sandell.

Exept for the wedding between Jens Erik and Thomas Wallin in Danish 2900 Happiness I am not aware of any gay marriages in a nordic soap opera or TV-series but the one between Micki Sandell and Stefan Holmberg in Rederiet in 2000. But, and there is a but, same-sex marriages was not instituted in Sweden until 2009, so this was actually a registered partnership. Why do we always have to be so slow in Sweden? We need more same-sex marriages on Swedish television, and in television in general. Love is beautiful and we really do need to teach our children that lova has multiple faces and why not on TV? I borrow the words from Tiamat and say that: It's about time we all get out and vote for love!