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Who were the best LGBTQ couples in daytime soap opera history? The sad truth is that there aren’t that many to choose from. Despite the shows dipping their toes in the water with queer characters and storylines in the 1990s — like Ryan Phillippe as groundbreaking gay teen Billy Douglas on “One Life to Live” from 1992 to 1993 — the show shied away from romance for its queer characters until the 21st century. Scroll down to read some of our forum posters’ favorites below.

SEE2020 Daytime Emmy nominations list: Full list of 47th Daytime Emmy nominees

In 2000 “All My Children” made history when Bianca Montgomery (played by Eden Riegel) came out as a lesbian. As the daughter of Erica Kane (Susan Lucci), it was the first time such an important legacy character was written to be gay. She had a few romances over the years, including twins Frankie and Maggie Stone (Elizabeth Hendrickson...

1968: The Doctors' Mike returned home.

1991: Wayne Northrop returned to Days of our Lives as Roman.

2004: General Hospital debuted a new opening.

2010: Atwt's Bob revealed Nancy Hughes had passed away."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1968: On The Doctors, Mike Powers (Peter Burnell in his debut) returned home, much to the delight of his father, Dr. Matt Powers (James Pritchett).

1968: On Dark Shadows, Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) and Willie Loomis (John Karlen) went to the crypt where Tom Jennings (Donald Briscoe) kept his coffin,...

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1942: We Love And Learn debuted on CBS Radio. The show was previously titled As The Twig Is Bent when it aired for a year on some Mutual-Don Lee stations.

1966: On Peyton Place, Betty (Barbara Parkins) and Steven prepared for their wedding.

Thanks to Jennifer for sending in the clip above.

1967: On Dark Shadows, when Willie (James Hall) made unwanted advances at Carolyn (Nancy Barrett), she pulled a gun on him.

1976: On Another World, Mac (Douglass Watson) wondered if...

1969: Ned Stuart arrived at Collinwood on Dark Shadows.

1986: Santa Barbara's Mason gave Mary a horse.

1993: Gh's Tiffany was determined to win custody of Lucas.

2000: Oltl's Nora interrupted Bo and Lindsay's wedding."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1969: On Dark Shadows, Ned Stuart showed up at Collinwood looking for Chris. He found Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) and Julia (Grayson Hall) at Chris's cottage, and told them that Chris was engaged to his sister implying that she was now dead.

1972: On Another World, Mary...

1967: Roger burned David's painting on Dark Shadows.

1981: Guiding Light's Alan showed up at Jennifer's trial.

2009: Gl's Olivia kissed Natalia.

2010: As the World Turns' Reid had no time for Luke."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1956: Actor Charles Dingle died at age 68. He played Conrad Overton in Irna Phillips' daytime soap opera The Road of Life.

1967: On Dark Shadows, the ghost of Josette duPres materialized in David Collins' room and magically completed David's painting so that it now depicted him and...

1975: Ryan's Hope's Pat comforted Delia with a song.

1985: Santa Barbara's Lionel fell off a train and had his ID stolen.

2008: Days of our Lives' Ej found John in Stefano's basement.

2014: Guy Wilson made his first appearance as Will on Days."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1937: Clara, Lu & Em actress Isobel Carothers died suddenly at age 37. Clara, Lu, and Em was radio's first network daytime soap opera, beginning June 16, 1930 over Wgn-am Chicago, Illinois. It moved to the Blue Network in 1931 and later NBC.

1950: The First Hundred Years premiered.

1981: Falcon Crest premiered.

2000: Port Charles kicked off the "Fate" arc.

2009: Venice premiered."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1933: After its August 14 debut on local station Wlw in Cincinnati, radio soap opera Ma Perkins graduated to the NBC Red network in the 3 p.m. Et timeslot. The show was produced by Frank and Anne Hummert, the prolific team responsible for numerous radio dramas including Just Plain Bill, Backstage Wife and Young Widder Brown.

In his New Yorker essay “O Pioneers!

1968: The Doctors' Mike returned home.

1991: Wayne Northrop returned to Days of our Lives as Roman.

2004: General Hospital debuted a new opening.

2010: Atwt's Bob revealed Nancy Hughes had passed away."The best prophet of the future is the past."

― Lord Byron

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1968: On The Doctors, Mike Powers (Peter Burnell in his debut) returned home, much to the delight of his father, Dr. Matt Powers (James Pritchett).

1968: On Dark Shadows, Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) and Willie Loomis (John Karlen) went to the crypt where Tom Jennings (Donald Briscoe) kept his coffin, but when Barnabas opened the coffin, it was empty. Jennings...

Morgan Fairchild has been tapped to play the vindictive Vivian King in the new serialized half hour drama, Mélange. Using NYC as its backdrop, the show will center round the fight of ownership for a historic gay bar, Mélange, after its proprietor has suddenly and mysteriously died. The series will emulate the grand storytelling flair of 80’s primetime decadent dramas that pitted good vs. evil but in a contemporary, fast-paced style; exploring modern themes of sexuality, immigration, addiction, power, and inclusion. The ensemble cast of 17, lead by Morgan Fairchild, includes a roster of talent from television, Broadway, reality, and social media. Shooting for Mélange kicked off August 4th in New York City.

Scott Evans (One Life to Live) stars as Ryann Parker, the strikingly handsome young man whose once Utopian workplace has become infested with betrayal, corruption, and revenge. He fights to keep Mélange out of...

1973: The Doctors' Althea and Carolee caught up.

1979: Another World's Janice tried to be understanding.

1996: All My Children's Trevor could not feel his legs.

1999: One Life to Live's Nora and Sam awaited DNA test results."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."

― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1941: On The Guiding Light, the day of Mary (Sarajane Wells) and Ned's (Ed Prentiss) wedding finally arrived.

1966: The very first scenes for Dark Shadows were taped.

1967: Dark Shadows' Jason discovered bite marks on Willie's arm.

1978: Ryan's Hope's Pat wanted a divorce from Delia.

1983: General Hospital's Holly & Robert shared a dance.

2007: Jessica Leccia debuted as Natalia on Guiding Light."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."

― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1938: Radio serial Your Family and Mine premiered. "Share the hopes and fears, the loves and triumphs of the Wilbur family in this thrilling story-Your Family and Mine.

"All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."

― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1942: We Love And Learn debuted on CBS Radio. The show was previously titled As The Twig Is Bent when it aired for a year on some Mutual-Don Lee stations.

1966: On Peyton Place, Betty (Barbara Parkins) and Steven prepared for their wedding.

Thanks to Jennifer for sending in the clip above.

1967: On Dark Shadows, when Willie (James Hall) made unwanted advances...

1969: Ned Stuart arrived at Collinwood on Dark Shadows.

1986: Santa Barbara's Mason gave Mary a horse.

1993: Gh's Tiffany was determined to win custody of Lucas.

2000: Oltl's Nora interrupted Bo and Lindsay's wedding."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."

― Machiavelli

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1969: On Dark Shadows, Ned Stuart (Roger Davis, in his second role on the show) showed...

1967: Roger burned David's painting on Dark Shadows.

1981: Guiding Light's Alan showed up at Jennifer's trial.

2009: Gl's Olivia kissed Natalia.

2010: As the World Turns' Reid had no time for Luke."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."

― Machiavelli

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1956: Actor Charles Dingle died at age 68. He played Conrad Overton in Irna Phillips' daytime soap opera The Road of Life.

1975: Ryan's Hope's Pat comforted Delia with a song.

1985: Santa Barbara's Lionel fell off a train and had his ID stolen.

2008: Days of our Lives' Ej found John in Stefano's basement.

2014: Guy Wilson made his first appearance as Will on Days."History is a vast early warning system."

― Norman Cousins

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1937: Clara, Lu & Em actress Isobel Carothers died suddenly at age 37. Clara, Lu, and Em was radio's first network daytime soap opera, beginning June 16, 1930 over Wgn-Am Chicago, Illinois. It moved to the Blue Network in 1931 and later NBC.

The show began as a Northwestern University sorority sketch by Louise...

Stars: Amber Heard, James Franco, Christian Slater, Ed Harris, Wilmer Valderrama, Cynthia Nixon, Jim Parrack, Timothée Chalamet, Danny Flaherty, Michael Cristofer, Tonya Glanz, Jessica Leccia, Gabriela Fresquez, Casper Andreas, Jimmy Gary Jr. | Written by Stephen Elliott, Pamela Romanowsky | Directed by Pamela Romanowsky

Adderall: now coming to a college campus near you. Well besides its intended usage for concentration in individuals who have Add, Adderall plays a part in the aptly titled The Adderall Diaries, a film, starring Amber Heard, Christian Slater, Ed Harris and James Franco, that follows a writer who is emotionally and creatively depressed, all the while dealing with a terrible childhood and contemplating his relationships with the people who have entered and left from his life.

The Adderall Diaries is adapted from Stephen Elliott’s book of the same name, which is about the author writing about the Hans Reiser murder trial all the while coming to...

A unique partnership with Google on a new seminar series addressing gender and racial gaps in the film industry, particularly in technical cinematographic roles, is among new highlights unveiled today by Miami Dade College's Miami International Film Festival, as Festival organizers count down to the 33rd edition of the acclaimed annual event March 4 - 13, 2016. The Festival is the only major film festival produced and presented worldwide by a college or university.

"Google has changed the world of technology and information in swift and radical ways," noted the Festival’s Executive Director & Director of Programming Jaie Laplante. "Who better to lead a new charge at changing long-standing gender and racial inequalities in opportunities in the world of film and technology? We are incredibly honored that Google has chosen Miami International Film Festival as a forum to discuss solutions and inspire new filmmakers wanting to scale the heights of their chosen profession."

The Google Seminar Series on Gender & Racial Gaps In Film & Tech will take place in The Idea Center at Miami Dade College and other locations over four days, March 5 - 8, within the overall Festival program. Among the highlights of the series will be veteran cinematographer Kirsten Johnson's screening and discussion of her feature memoir, "Cameraperson," set to world premiere at Sundance Film Festival later this month. Johnson's film covers her extensive career working on such filmmakers as Laura Poitras and Michael Moore.

“Our research shows that when it comes to encouraging women and underrepresented minorities to pursue careers in computer science and other technical fields, positive role models matter, which makes the work of the film industry so powerful,” said Julie Ann Crommett, Google Cs Education in Media Program Manager. “We’re thrilled to support the Seminar Series on Gender & Racial Gaps In Film & Tech at The Idea Center at Miami Dade College to shed light on this important issue and inspire more creators to showcase positive portrayals of women and underrepresented minorities in tech.”

The Festival also unveiled 21 additional new feature films for the 2016 program, highlighting some of the year's most superb accomplishments. All films in today's announcement have the special distinction of having been directed by women. The films include:

John S. & James L. Knight Competition

Francesca Archibugi's "An Italian Name" (Il nome del figlio), starring Alessandro Gassman and Valeria Golino. Archibugi returns to Miami after having closed the Festival in 1989 with her film Mignon Has Left. Liz Garbus' "Nothing Left Unsaid: Gloria Vanderbilt & Anderson Cooper" (also eligible for Knight Documentary Achievement Award). The celebrated CNN journalist interviews his famous mother, now 91, about her eventful life, romances and tragedies. Dawn Porter's "Trapped" (also eligible for Knight Documentary Achievement Award), a look at legislative moves at the state level attempting to turn back hard-fought women's rights from only 40 years ago. Knight Documentary Achievement Award

World Premiere: Shaina Koren's "The Rebound," a Miami-made film about the Miami Heat Wheels basketball team. American filmmakers and Oscar nominees Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady's "Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You," a candid look at the legendary barrier-breaking TV producer of the 1970s. Jennifer Redfearn’s "Tocando La Luz" (Touch the Light) (USA), which follows three interwoven stories of blind residents in Havana, Cuba. "Weiner," by American filmmaker Elyse Steinberg (directed with Josh Kreigman), a look at the entertainment spectacle of American politics through the media frenzy surrounding Anthony Weiner's 2013 comeback campaign. Marcia Tambutti "Allende's Beyond My Grandfather Allende" (Allende, mi abuelo Allende) , a Chilean/Mexican co-production that won the first-ever Documentary Award presented at 2015 Cannes Film Festival. Lexus Ibero-American Feature Film Competition

World Premiere: Brazilian screenwriter Vera Egito's "Restless Love" (Amores Urbanos), her feature film directorial debut, set in São Paulo. North American Premiere: Cuban filmmaker Jessica Rodriguez's "Dark Glasses" (Espejuelos oscuros), partially presented as a work-in-progress at the 2015 Festival in the Emerging Cuban Independent Film/Video Artist program presented by The Related Group. North American Premiere: Colombian filmmaker Angela Maria Osorio Rojas (directed with her partner Santiago Lozano Alvarez)'s "Siembra" (also competing for the Jordan Alexander Ressler Screenwriting Award), a tale of an uprooted coastal fisherman learning to build a new life in the urban center of Cali. Daniela Goggi's "Abzurdah," a drama about a young high school student driven to anorexia over her affair with an older man, a box office smash hit in its native Argentina. Ana Katz’s "Mi amiga del parque," also from Argentina, a psychological drama workshopped in the Festival’s Encuentros program in 2015, and making its international debut at Sundance Film Festival 2016. Jordan Alexander Ressler Screenwriting Award

Israel filmmaker Yaelle Kayam's debut film "Mountain," about the wife of an Orthodox scholar living next to Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, who discovers her own mountain of unexpressed sexual desire deep within. Cinema 360

U.S Premiere: German filmmaker Theresa von Eltz's "4 Kings" (4 Könige), a touching drama of four emotionally troubled youths learning to trust each other at a recovery facility. French filmmaker Catherine Corsini's "Summertime" (La belle saison), starringCécile de France as a Parisian at the forefront of the women's liberation movement in the early 1970s. French filmmaker Maïwann’s "My King" (Mon roi), which won a Best Actress award at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival for Emmanuelle Bercot. Indian filmmaker Leena Yadav's "Parched," a luminous drama about three women from rural India liberating themselves from demeaning patriarchal traditions. Visions

World Premiere: Miami filmmaker Monica Peña's experimental sophomore feature film, "Hearts of Palm" (also competing in Knight Competition), featuring music by lead actor Brad Lovett. Lee Brian Schrager's Culinary Cinema

Japanese filmmaker Naomi Kawase's "Sweet Bean" (An), a beautiful story of an elderly dorayaki maker passing on the wisdom of her culinary craft. Megan Riakos' " Crushed," a murder-mystery thriller set on a vineyard in rural Australia. These titles join the previously announced women directors from Spain in the 2016 Official Selection:Paula Ortiz’s "The Bride" (La novia); Gracia Querejeta’s "Happy 140" (Felices 140), "We Are Pregnant" (Embarazados); and Veronica Escuer & Cristina Jolonch's "Snacks, Bites of a Revolution" (Snacks: Bocados de una revolución).

More announcements will follow as the Festival prepares to unveil its complete program. In addition to the sponsors acknowledged above, the Festival also thanks Telefilm Canada, Frederick Wildman & Sons, German Films, the Consulate General of Canada in Miamiand the Consulate General of Germany in Miami for program-specific support.

Recently, CBS released the new,official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "Person Of Interest" episode 19 of season 4. The episode is entitled, "Search And Destroy," and it turns out that we're going to see some pretty interesting and dramatic stuff go down as Reese and company try to protect a software CEO who's freaking out over getting all his secrets hacked, and more! In the new, 19th episode press release: Reese And Finch Scramble To Protect A Software CEO When His Behavior Becomes Increasingly Erratic Following A Hacker Attack. Press release number 2: Reese and Finch will scramble to protect a software CEO (Aasif Mandvi) when his behavior becomes increasingly erratic following a hacker attack that reveals all his secrets and unravels his life. Aasif Mandvi guest stars as software CEO Rajiv Khan. Other guest stars feature: Aasif Mandvi (Rajiv Khan), Elia Monte-Brown (Kelly Brewer), Jessica Leccia (Linda Khan), Matthew Gray...

Univision Communications has named Kevin Cuddihy president of Local Media, and Jessica Rodriguez has been appointed chief marketing officer. Both promotions are effective immediately, based in New York, and reporting to Randy Falco, president and CEO. In his new role, Cuddihy will oversee a combined 130 television and radio stations with responsibility for local sales, content, digital, operations and community relations. Meanwhile, Rodriguez will oversee all Univision Communications Inc. marketing functions, including the Univision Agency, a group that oversees a media inventory of more than $500 million across all of Univision's broadcast, cable, radio and digital properties, and is responsible for all.

Jake McLaughlin, Johnny Sequoyah

Believe, Season 1, Episode 2: “Beginner’s Luck”

Written by Jonas Pate and Bobby Arnot

Directed by Omar Madha

Airs Sundays at 9pm (Et) on NBC

The series premiere of Believe presented two major groups fighting to get to Bo and her supernatural powers. While the connection of Winter and his team to Bo was clear, the involvement of Skouras was murkier, as the audience saw Winter’s ex-partner primarily as the employer of a mercenary sent to retrieve Bo. This week’s episode delves further into Skouras and his motivations with regards to Bo, in a solid episode that, while lacking the visual flair of the pilot, does a good job furthering the story and adding new complications.

The clear affection that Skouras displays towards Bo this week adds an interesting wrinkle to the proceedings. The way both Winter and Skouras talk about Bo makes it...

Tags: Venice the SeriesVeniceIMDbNadia BjorlinCrystal ChappellJessica Lecciasoap operas

This July, the wonderfully smart and soapy Venice the Series will be back for its fourth season. With a lesbian love triangle at its core, Venice has broken barriers and proved that soaps can be successful in a new medium. One part of that triangle is the successful but troubled children’s book author, Lara Miller, played by soap veteran Nadia Bjorlin. Nadia got her big break as Chloe Lane in Days of Our Lives, a role she has played on and off for over a decade. The multi-talented and stunning actress (with the most piercing blue-grey eyes on the planet) was kind enough to sit down with AfterEllen.com and give us the scoop on her character and the upcoming season of Venice.

All photos courtesy of Open Book Productions

AfterEllen: How did you get involved in Venice to begin with?...

Tags: Crystal ChappellJessica LecciaNadia BjorlinThe GroveVenice the SeriesThe Bold and the BeautifulGuiding LightwebseriesIMDb

When Olivia and Natalia were dancing around their feelings for one another on Guiding Light back in '09, I never would have guessed that Crystal Chappell and Jessica Leccia would become the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers of fictional lesbians, but one daytime TV drama and two web series later, I'm ready to give them the Dynamic Duo crown. It started with Otalia, of course, then continued with the Emmy Award-winning web series Venice, and just last week, they re-re-united for the hour-long web series/mini-movie, The Grove. It's my favorite Chappell and Leccia team-up so far.

In typical sudsy/Shakespearean fashion, The Grove tells the story of two warring families, The Moyniahans and the Kincaids, who have been locked in a battle over their county's almond grove land for generations. Among the Moynihans is Nico, a...

Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise have had a whirlwind 11 days that most would consider downright inevitable. After five years of marriage, Katie shocked the public (and Tom himself) when she filed for divorce on June 28. What would play out in the days to come were pretty telling on what kind of life the Dawson's Creek actress was living behind closed doors. The news brought Tom's controversial religious beliefs back into the limelight and even showed how calculating Katie was months leading up to the bombshell.

| Related: Nicole Kidman Helped Katie Get Out! |

Tom is the face of Scientology in the celebrity world, making the religion the third partner in the couple's marriage. From searching for his perfect bride to the divorce papers, a lot has gone on between these two. Though they settled quietly, news stories were coming out every hour it seemed after the filing, rehashing old stories that...

CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful plans to bring back a popular character from Guiding Light to help launch its first-ever lesbian story line.

EW has learned exclusively that Crystal Chappell (pictured, left) — who was last seen playing Olivia, the popular lesbian lover of Natalia (Jessica Leccia) on Guiding Light — will portray Danielle, the other mother of Caroline Spencer (Linsey Godfrey, pictured, center). Caroline was introduced last month as the never-before-seen daughter of Karen Spencer, who is played by longtime B&B favorite Joanna Johnson (pictured, right). Johnson returned to the sudser last month to begin the romantic story line.

The soap community took to Twitter last night and this morning in reaction to New York state passing an historic Marriage Equality law. The New York Senate has voted 33-29 to legalize same-sex marriage following easy passage in the House. New York is now the sixth state allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry. Governor Andrew Cuomo will sign the bill and it will go into effect in 30 days. Here's a sample of the reactions below:

@BethAnntastic (BethAnn Bonner): Flying back from La 2nite on the redeye...I'm so proud 2 live n Brooklyn on This wonderful day! #equality (now we can get hitched, my love!)

@crystalchappell (Crystal Chappell): Gay rights are human rights.....thanks u New York!

@JillLorieHurst (Jill Lorie Hurst): Wonderful day to be a New Yorker - going to a wedding shower soon, looking forward to more in the future!! Happy tears on the keyboard.

On episode 2.63 of We Love Soaps TV, Emmy-nominated writer Thom Racina and Empire producer/writer Greg Turner are interviewed during the Love Out Loud VI event at Prohibition in New York City. Racina previews his upcoming web series starring Jessica Leccia and Elizabeth Keifer, while Turner offers a sneak peak at the upcoming fourth season of Empire.

Love Out Loud VI Interviews:

- We Love Soaps TV 2.58 Billy Warlock

- We Love Soaps TV 2.59 Beth Chamberlin, Rachael Hip-Flores & Adam Sank

- We Love Soaps TV 2.60 Ilene Kristen & David A. Gregory

- We Love Soaps TV 2.61 Tom Degnan & Maximillan Tapper

- We Love Soaps TV 2.62 Shenell Edmonds, Kelley Missal, Andrew Trischitta, Julie Pinson & Austin Peck

- We Love Soaps TV 2.63 Thom Racina & Greg Turner

- We Love Soaps TV 2.64 Nafessa Williams, Terri Conn & BethAnn Bonner

- We Love Soaps TV 2.65 Billy Magnussen & Sean Ringold

- We Love Soaps TV 2.66 Kristen Alderson & Eddie Alderson

Damon L.

On this date in...

1998: Another World debuted the post-opening theme follow-up scene.

2007: Jessica Leccia debuted on Guiding Light as Natalia Rivera.

Celebrating a birthday today are:

Schae Harrison (ex-Darla, The Bold And The Beautiful) - 49

Cali Timmons (ex-Paulina, Another World; ex-Maggie, Ryan's Hope) - 48

Christopher Corwin (ex-Michael, Another World) - 43

Maura West (Diane, The Young And The Restless; ex-Carly, As The World Turns) - 39

Taylor Anne Mountz (ex-Kay, Passions) - 29...

Jessica Rodriguez is the new senior VP of Univision Cable Networks, the company announced Thursday. Rodriguez has been with Univision since 2001, and most recently served as VP, special assistant to the president of Univision Networks. In her new position, Rodriquez will oversee Univision's cable portfolio, which includes Galavision and the TuTv Networks, which include De Pelicula, De Pelicula Clasico and Telehit, among others. Rodriguez will work from the company's Miami branch, reporting to Univision Networks president Cesar Conde. In the company's release announcing the promotion, Conde said, "Jessica’s strategic vision, understanding of Hispanic...

According to the Internet Movie DataBase (IMDb.com): "The STARmeter rankings provide a snapshot of who's popular based on the searches of millions of IMDb users. Updated weekly, these rankings also graph the popularity of people over time and determine which events affect public awareness."  Here is a listing of some present and past soap stars and their current ranking, as well as some public figures.  Do you agree with the list? Is Lisa Rinna really more popular than President Obama? Weigh in below.   1. Darren Criss (Glee) 3. Leonardo DiCaprio (ex-santa Barbara)4. Johnny Depp (star of Dark Shadows movie)9. Dot Jones (Glee, Venice) 11. Jill Clayburgh (ex-sft)19. Brad Pitt (ex-aw)28. Amber Tamblyn (ex-gh)54. James Franco (ex-gh) 101. Parker Posey (ex-atwt)

119. Jessica Lowndes (90210) 121. Amanda Seyfried (ex-atwt)125. Demi Moore (ex-gh)134. Lyndsy Fonseca (ex Dh, ex-y&R)144. Courtney Thorne-Smith (ex-Melrose Place)157. Morgan Freeman (ex-aw)189. Josh Duhamel (ex-amc)200. Julianne Moore (ex-atwt)208. Paul Wesley (ex-gl)236. Lindsay Lohan...

In our first annual Top 50 Lesbian and Bi Characters poll, we asked you to vote for your favorite characters from film, television, and internet shows.

You cast your votes, and now we have the results. Before we reveal the winners, let's take a look at some of the trends that emerged.

Almost all of the characters were from films and television shows that made their debut after the year 2000. A few of the exceptions include Kerry Weaver from ER, and the ass-kicking ladies from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

While most of the characters were from Us productions, a fair amount came from international shows, including our top two characters (from the UK show Skins).

Also notable was the fact that some of your favorite characters, the leads from Xena: Warrior Princess (which ran from 1995-2001) and Idgie Threadgood from the film Fried Green Tomatoes (1991), were never officially presented as lesbian or bisexual.

In 2009, the number of leading lesbian characters on primetime broadcast TV doubled — from one to two.

Out of the estimated 600 lead and supporting characters on network TV, seven of them of are lesbian or bisexual. And of those seven, five of them kissed women last year. And of those five, three of them made out during Sweeps.

Things looked bleak at the beginning of the year, but with the growing trend of lesbian brides getting gunned down or cheating on their wedding days, and the continued trend of bisexual characters only expressing their same-sex attraction during Sweeps, and the loss of Showtime's lesbian drama The L Word, we're ending the year on a downward spiral in terms of lesbian visibility.

Scripted Television: Broadcast

Primetime

The most surprising story in 2009 was the relationship between Callie Torres (played by Sara Ramirez) and Arizona Robbins (played by Jessica Capshaw) on Grey's Anatomy.

When...

Just in time for the holidays, Crystal Chappell's Venice has dropped its first trailer and set a release date. (Happy Thanksgiving/Christmakkuh!)

The much talked about web series featuring former Guiding Light costars Chappell and Jessica Leccia will debut on Dec. 4 and the first teaser is enough to make any Otalia fan's heart burst with glee.

That's a lot of plot for 12 six-minute episodes! It's also more lesbian affection than Guiding Light managed in many, many seasons.

In a podcast on venicetheseries.com, Crystal and Jessica talk a little bit about being handcuffed when it came to showing physical affection on Gl, but they both expressed respect for their characters and gratitude for having been involved in Otalia's love story. And they were eager to talk about this new project.

Interviewer: There is so much talk about Venice, just an absolute media blitz. In all my years of journalism,...

Season one of the highly anticipated web series Venice was shot in Los Angeles last week, and AfterEllen.com was invited to the set to catch up with the hardworking and attractive cast. They are shooting primarily in, you guessed it, Venice Beach, with headquarters in a hipster hotel where we met in one of the suites.

As we've previously reported, a great cast for the series has been assembled. Series creator Crystal Chappell (Guiding Light) will play the lead, Gina, a designer and lesbian who has been out since her teenage years. Jessica Leccia (Chappell's former love interest on Guiding Light) will play Gina’s ex, and possibly future, girlfriend, Ani.

Crystal Chappell and Jessica Leccia

Leccia and Chappell in a production still from Venice

The details of their relationship have not been confirmed and everyone is very tight-lipped about plot specifics. We do know that Gina will hook up with attorney Tracy,...

Fictional small American soap towns such as Pine Valley, Springfield, and Llanview have historically dabbled in social angst as it relates to abortion, war, and AIDS, but until recently, have avoided directly addressing homosexuality and same-sex relationships, as if shooting an unscripted pregnancy behind a laundry basket.

This has changed in the last decade or so, however, as a few American daytime dramas have introduced gay and lesbian characters, and achieved several important "firsts" in the portrayal of same-sex relationships.

"I certainly think the impact of these stories have been huge," says Michael Fairman, Advocate.com soap reporter and columnist. "These stories have hit mainstream press and have heterosexual men and women, as well as the gay audience, embracing them."

Long considered one of the most politically conservative art forms in the country, American daytime television’s progress is commendable — but how strong is their commitment to representation when it...

As the fall television season gets underway with few lesbian characters or storylines in sight, lesbian viewers are eagerly anticipating the launch of the new web series Venice, the brainchild of soap star Crystal Chappell (best known to lesbian viewers as one half of Guiding Light’s lesbian super-couple, Olivia and Natalia, or “Otalia”).

The web series reunites Chappell with Jessica Leccia, her Guiding Light love interest, in a medium where their remarkable chemistry can be more fully expressed. The web series also stars Elizabeth Keener (The L Word), Daniel Cosgrove (Guiding Light), and Michelle Carter.

When CBS canceled Guiding Light, ending its unparalleled 72-year run on radio and television (the final episode airs September 18), the entrepreneurial, tech-savvy Chappell saw an opportunity to continue telling stories featuring lesbian characters and relationships, but without networks or corporate producers making the rules.

Chappell spoke with AfterEllen.com about Venice and her character,...

Ellen may have missed out on winning her fifth consecutive trophy for best talk show, but last night's 36th annual Daytime Emmy Awards were gayer than ever before.

Ellen DeGeneres and wife Portia de Rossi arrive/canoodle at the 36th annual "Daytime Emmy Awards"

The ladies of The View bested The Ellen DeGeneres Show for the talk show crown, but Ellen still took home four Emmys, including one for the promo of her interview with her wife, Portia. Ellen's loss was quite an upset as far as awards shows go; no one from The View was even on hand to accept the Emmy.

Ellen and Portia await Vanessa Williams' Big Gay opening number

The show was hosted by Vanessa Williams. In her opening musical number, a reworked "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," Williams manages to call out lesbian super couple Otalia and embarrass Ellen. Williams also proves...

A lot of Guiding Light fans are entranced by Otalia. That's not a butter substitute, it's the "Brangelina-ish" name that fans have given to Olivia and Natalia, the lesbian couple played by Crystal Chappell and Jessica Leccia. Fans won't be able to see that couple anymore, since Guiding Light will air its last episode ever on September 18. But the actresses have decided to keep the storyline alive on the web.

Though as I said above, kind of.Continue reading Guiding Light's Olivia and Natalia will live on in new web series (kind of)

 

Filed under: Daytime, Web, Celebrities, Casting, Reality-Free

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When I was coordinating the Must List, there would be an almost weekly deluge of suggestions for "Otalia" for the Reader's Choice. Never heard of them? Then obviously you aren't a Guiding Light fan. "Otalia" is the nickname for the characters Olivia Spencer and Natalia Rivera, two single moms who surprised themselves by falling in love, and consequently capturing a fervent online fanbase. As the venerable soap opera winds down to its final episode on Sept. 18, the NY Times ran a piece yesterday that may cheer up some viewers. Crystal Chappell, the longtime soap star who plays Olivia, will be launching a Web series called Venice in November in which she'll star as gay woman in Venice Beach, Calif. Jessica Leccia, the actress who plays Natalia, has agreed to appear, and Chappell promises that their characters will do something that's been avoided on Guiding Light so far: actually kiss. What do you think Otalia-ites?...

It’s official: After months of playful innuendo, The Soapgeist has announced Crystal Chappell will be playing the lesbian lead character, a designer named Gina, in the upcoming web serial, Venice: The Series.

Little is known of the series other than it is based around a family dynamic set in the progressive Southern California city of Venice Beach and several notable soap stars have signed on to the project including Jessica Leccia, the other half of Guiding Light’s same-sex super couple, Otalia, and Elizabeth Keener (The L Word, 3-Way).

Twitter was aflutter as legions of Otalia fans celebrated the confirmation that Chappell will play Gina.The production team tease that this could be the anticipated continuation of the pairing from the now canceled daytime drama.

The only one that knows for sure is Chappell and she’s not saying yet, but we do have an interview with her coming up soon on AfterEllen.

Want to know the status of a particular movie, TV show, or band? Wondering what a certain actress is up to these days? Send your entertainment-related questions to askafterellen@gmail.com — with your first name, city and country — and we'll try to answer as many as we can.

Question: I heard that I Can't Think Straight is going to be a TV show. Is it true?

― Lesley M.

Sheetal Sheth and Lisa Ray in I Can't Think Straight

Answer: I reached out to Aida Kattan, the head of the Los Angeles office of writer-director Shamim Sarif's Enlightenment Films, and she confirmed that I Can't Think Straight, the series, is indeed in development by Sarif and her wife and co-producer Hanan Kattan.

According to Aida, Sarif is currently writing a pilot and series arc, and she's aiming for a North American network/broadcaster. If it gets developed by a network,...

G'day everyone,   A new baby has been born on Ausxip and I have a note from proud mama Mesh to pass on to everyone:   http://jessicaleccia.ausxip.com/

Very thrilled to announce the launch of our shiny new site dedicated to the lovely and talented Jessica Leccia. For those of you who have not been pushed under onto the Otalia train yet, Jessica Leccia

currently stars on Guiding Light as one half of Otalia, the adorable Natalia Rivera.

You can catch Jessica (almost) daily on CBS alongside the equally divine Crystal Chappell (check your local listings), or on a variety of online outlets.

The site is the Ausxip endorsed, Tfln approved fanlisting. You can join free of charge and without fear for being SPAMed. This is not an official fan club (sure wish there was one!), merely a listing of fans

from around the world.

This domain also serves as an online repository of images.

After months of innuendo, longing glances, and sexual tension-filled conversations on porches over ice cream, Olivia (Crystal Chappell) finally confessed her love to her roommate Natalia (Jessica Leccia) yesterday on Guiding Light (CBS) — just as Natalia prepared to marry Frank (Frank Dicopoulos), a man she likes a lot, but doesn't quite love.

If you don't know the backstory on these two (nicknamed "Otalia"), here's the short version: Former rivals who didn't get along, Natalia and Olivia became friends when they ended up living together after Natalia's husband died and donated his heart to Olivia. (Yes, Olivia is walking around with the actual heart of the husband of the woman she loves inside of her. Hey, it's a soap: transplants happen.)

Natalia (Jessica Leccia), left, and Olivia (Crystal Chappell)

Natalia helped care for Olivia and her daughter, Emma, and the three became a family of sorts — which was insinuated to be...

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Otalia News & Update

» Read Crystal Chappell's message to her fans.

» Upcoming chat with Crystal Chappell.

» Spoilery photos for next week's episodes!

» Read about the future of Gl in Peapack.

» Added Jessica Leccia (Natalia) art by me.

After 57 years of airing its characters dirty, dirty laundry, soap opera Guiding Light has been canceled. This news comes at an odd time, however, as the popularity of the show's latest couple has seemed to make it more talked about than usual.

The show's first ever lesbian couple, Natalia and Olivia (referred to lovingly by fans as Otalia), have progressed in a relationship that has managed to be un-offensive and un-stereotypical. (Neither of them are looking for a sperm donor, to my knowledge.) It started simply with a kiss, and appears to be leading up to a full-fledged partnership.

Guiding Light will remain on air until next September, so there's still plenty of time for the Otalia relationship to unfold. As Crystal Chappell (Olivia) told us back in March, she hopes that Natalia and Olivia will be "all the things a good soap relationship should be." Crystal Chappell (left) and...

A powerful force known as “Otalia” is currently rocking daytime television. While their characters on CBS’s Guiding Light may still be exploring and coming to terms with their feelings and their growing relationship, actresses Crystal Chappell (Olivia) and Jessica Leccia (Natalia) had no problem expressing themselves to AfterEllen.com about their on-screen budding romance in a recent email interview.

Crystal Chappell (left) and Jessica Leccia

AfterEllen: How did the writers approach you about the romantic turn in your characters' relationship, and what was your initial reaction?

Crystal Chappell: My Ep sat me down and told me that they were going to tell a story about two women who grow to depend on and love each other and that there may be some physical contact and how would I feel about that. I thought it was a story that I had never done before on television and as an...