ABC DRAMA TO DEPICT GAY LOVE

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has repeatedly criticized network television in the US for misrepresentation of gay and lesbian population.

This year, the alliance said there were only 9 homosexual characters on network television in the US, down from 10 last year, which is less than 2% of the 679 lead or supporting characters appearing in scripted dramas or comedies. Although there is no definite figure for the gay and lesbian population, GLAAD believes the number is "certainly higher" than that.

One of the 9 characters appearing in the 2006-2007 season is Kevin Walker of ABC's "Brothers and Sisters" played by Welsh actor Matthew Rhys. According to Greg Berlanti ("Everwood") who is the drama's new showrunner, Kevin will not be treated like Doug Savant's ("Desperate Housewives") Matt Fielding of "Melrose Place" and other past gay characters whose romantic lives had often been reduced to minimal screen time, tedious storylines that went nowhere and ridiculous let's-have-a-hug love scenes.

According to Berlanti, people will not be asking if he is gay in name only. On the contrary, he will have a real and fleshed-out romantic life like the rest of the members of the Walker clan as the writers are heading towards a relationship between him and Scotty (Luke MacFarlane, "Over There").