'Indoor Boys' Season 2 Set to Premiere on June 25

Alex Wyse and Wesley Taylor star in Indoor Boys.

Indie Series Award-winning series Indoor Boys, created, directed, and starring Broadway's Wesley Taylor ("SpongeBob SquarePants"; NBC's Smash) and Alex Wyse ("Spring Awakening"; CBS' The Bold and the Beautiful), will return later this month for its second season. With a total of eight new chapters, Season Two premieres June 25 on HuffPost Queer Voices, with two episodes released each Monday for 4 weeks.

After last year's award-winning, critically-acclaimed first season in Los Angeles, Wesley Taylor and Alex Wyse are at it again. But this time we find our duo in the Big Apple... as they continue to explore the boundaries of their no-boundaries friendship. Watch the two homebody millennials as they navigate a family reunion in New York City.

The critically-acclaimed first season of Indoor Boys premiered on HuffPost Queer Voices and received four 2018 Indie Series Award nominations, including Best Comedy Series. The season two cast will include the return of Frankie Grande, Michael Tacconi, Patrika Darbo (2018 Indie Series Award winner for Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series), and of course, Wesley Taylor (2018 Indie Award nominee for Best Actor in a Comedy Series) and Alex Wyse, who received the 2018 Indie Series Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series.

Season Two will also introduce three-time Tony Award-nominee Carolee Carmello as Nate's mother, Ellen, and Obie and Drama Desk Award Winner Veanne Cox as Luke's mother, Lenora, with Krysta Rodriguez, Kyle Harris, Lilli Cooper, Isaac Powell, Rana Roy, and Michael Kostroff.

Check out the Season Two trailer below.

Daytime Soap Opera LGBT Report Card

Soap operas have told moving and relatable stories since the radio days, but the art of socially relevant storytelling was perfected by Agnes Nixon, a writer for one of the legendary founders of the genre, Irna Phillips, who went on to create iconic daytime dramas such as One Life to Live and All My Children. In the 1960s, the “Queen of Soaps” ushered in an “Era of Relevance” in daytime television with stories ranging from Bert Bauer battling uterine cancer on The Guiding Light to Carla Gray passing for white on One Life to Live. Despite the occasional true-to-live dramatization, soap operas (sometimes referred to as washboard weepers) had primarily centered on domestic and family issues, particularly relationship conflicts, extramarital affairs and multi-generational drama.

Nixon retained the focus on domestic issues, but also widened the soap story canvas. She took a cue from nascent first-wave feminism, which declared, “the personal is political,” meaning the states of various social issues play out not only in the broader culture in some abstract way, but in people’s personal lives. And so Nixon brought them to soaps, in characters’ personal lives, which drive the daytime serial.

Nixon had a deep love of and hope for humanity, in addition to profound compassion for the struggles people faced in their daily lives, as evidenced by the poem she wrote, from which the title All My Children came:

“The Great and the Least,

The Rich and the Poor,

The Weak and the Strong,

In Sickness and in Health,

In Joy and Sorrow,

In Tragedy and Triumph,

You are ALL MY CHILDREN”

One look at Nixon showed her tender nature—a warm smile, skin so delicate it seemed almost papery, and eyes that twinkled and contained miles of depth.

Judith Light & Alyssa Milano Praise Danny Pintauro Following His HIV Revelation

Former One Life to Live star Judith Light on FOX 5 in New York.

Last weekend, former As the World Turns and Who's the Boss? child actor Danny Pintauro revealed that he was diagnosed as HIV-positive 12 years ago. This week, his former co-stars, Judith Light and Alyssa Milano, shared their thoughts on the news. Light has known for years, while Milano only found out after Pintauro's Oprah: Where Are They Now? segment aired.

"He is being incredibly proactive, and he now has a wonderful husband named Will," Light told New York's FOX affiliate. "He's giving a different face to a disease that still has not been handled."

Meanwhile, Milano co-hosted The Talk on Tuesday and was teary-eyed when discussing Pintauro.

"I hate that it took so long to feel comfortable, but I'm so glad that he is able to express himself himself now," Milano said. "He is going to change so many lives. I'm grateful this disease is now being discussed again because it feels like there was such a long time that it wasn't. He is a beacon of light, and he will be."

Check out videos featuring this week's comments from Pintauro, Light and Milano below:

How Transgender TV Characters Teach Us About Capturing Audience Attention and Changing Opinions

Rebecca Romijn (right) played Alexis Meade on ABC primetime
soap Ugly Betty.  Also pictured, Eric Mabius as Daniel Meade and
America Ferrera as Betty Suarez.

Caitlyn Jenner has been the talk of the town this summer since she opened up about her transition from Olympic athlete and reality television star Bruce Jenner to the woman she says she has always been. Between interviews with Diane Sawyer, her stunning Vogue cover, and her new reality TV show, she has done a lot to raise awareness and educate Americans about the transgender community. Yet before Caitlyn, the television industry was no stranger to educating Americans about the transgender community through characters and plot lines. And while many of these characters are fictional, they did help to paint a better picture of what it is like to be a transgender individual in today’s society. And for communications professionals, these shows give us ideas on how we can best reach our client’s audiences and media goals through timely storylines, relevant audiences, and successful pitch creation.

Here is a look at three shows that helped educate Americans about the transgender community and the communications lessons we can learn from them:

1) The L Word (Showtime) – It seems only fitting to start off with a show that had a goal to highlight the relationships and dynamics of the female LGBT community. This show, which launched on Showtime in January 2004, brought together a dynamic group of women who portrayed unforgettable characters facing relationship, career, and personal struggles. One of those characters was Moira, a computer technician from the Midwest who ultimately becomes Max, a transsexual man. Max experiences severe side effects from the hormones he is taking, reminding many viewers that transitioning is not simply about changing your names and clothes. It is a difficult medical procedure, one that affects you physically and mentally. Max’s struggle with his transition helped to put a spotlight on the medical aspects of transgender community.

Greg Rikaart on His 'The Young and the Restless' Character: "Kevin Is Not Gay But He's The Closest Thing We Have To A Gay Character"

Greg Rikaart on The Justin Root Show.

The Young and the Restless star Greg Rikaart is the guest on the latest episode of The Justin Root Show. Rikaart talks about everything from winning a Daytime Emmy Award and working on Y&R to his favorite '80s TV icon (Cybill Shepherd, mother of his former soap co-star, Clementine Ford) and wanting to guest judge RuPaul's Drag Race.

"I like to think I sort of proudly carry the flag of having the gay fans of our show," Rikaart says when asked about Y&R fans. "Kevin is not gay but he's the closest thing we have to a gay character. He's certainly not the Lothario on the show. He's had a lot of problems with women. He doesn't know how to treat a woman. He knows how to give them STDs and not be nice. I think fans of the show who know who I am in my personal life are rooting for Kevin to have a secret, which I think would be fun. It's something I've discussed with my bosses."

Watch Rikaart's fun interview below:

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Goes Purple For Spirit Day

Comcast and NBCUniversal went purple on Thursday, October 17 to spread the word about SpiritDay to show support for LGBT youth and stand against bullying. Stars from NBCUniversal networks and shows, as well as NBCUniversal employees, sported purple and shared Spirit Day on air and through social media including DAYS OF OUR LIVES. The show posted the cast photo above on Twitter which includes Guy Wilson, the actor who replaced Chandler Massey as Will Horton. Wilson will debut in January 2014.

Founded in 2010, Spirit Day is an international, united stand against bullying and show of support for LGBT teens and young adults everywhere.

GLAAD Releases 2013 Network Responsibility Index

The Network Responsibility Index rates LGBT content on networks during the 2012-2013 TV season that wrapped earlier this year.

GLAAD found FOX was the most inclusive broadcast network with 42% of primetime programming hours having included LGBT images and earning FOX a rating of Good. Each network is reviewed on a scale of Excellent, Good, Adequate, or Failing. ABC came in second place for the number of inclusive hours at 33% and also earned a score of Good. On cable, ABC Family was the most inclusive network GLAAD tracked last year with 50% of its original programming including LGBT impressions or storylines. It was followed by FX at 40%. History received a Failing grade with no LGBT images on any of its shows last season.

No networks received a rating of Excellent this year, indicating the need for more diverse LGBT characters and stories.

Good: ABC, ABC Family, The CW, FOX, MTV, NBC, Showtime
Adequate: CBS, FX, HBO, TLC, TNT, USA
Failing: History, TBS

Read the full report here.

Charice Comes Out

Charice Pempengco, the Filipino pop star who has played Sunshine Corazon on Fox's GLEE, revealed she is gay during a tear-filled interview with her home country's ABS-CBN program THE BUZZ.

"Yes, I am a tomboy," she acknowledged, using a common Filipino colloquial term for lesbian. "I don't know what's the problem with that. Because for me, there isn't a problem with that."

Per the Philippine Star, Charice also said that her mother and grandmother were having a hard time with her admission, but she that she hoped they might eventually come around.

WLS Interview Archive: Kevin Spirtas

Kevin Spirtas is continuing to amaze New York audiences in the Off-Broadway play, "Loaded."  You can still get tickets for this groundbreaking drama by pressing here. 

We Love Soaps recently had the opportunity to see the play, and interview the outspoken and courageous Kevin Spirtas about his performance, as well as reflections on his career.

You can read our full review of "Loaded" here.

Then don't miss our in-depth and revealing interview with Mr. Spirtas in three parts:

Part One - Kevin begins by discussing his role in "Loaded," his thoughts about Craig on Days of our Lives, and how he is no stranger to taking his clothes off.

Part Two - Kevin discusses his stint on One Life to Live, as well as what is revealed in his one man show.

Part Three - Kevin reflects on his career in soaps and theater, as well as hopes for his future.

History of LGBT Television Characters in Soap Operas

David A. Wyatt has compiled a very comprehensive list of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered television characters. To be listed a character should have "appeared in at least three episodes and be explicitly gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered."

MarkH has compiled a good list of the soap characters which I am going to include below along with a few additions. The first date is the date they debuted or were revealed to be gay.

1977
The Young and the Restless, Katherine Chancellor
The Young and the Restless, Joanne Curtis

Y&R had Katherine Chancellor, lonely after the death of her beloved Phillip, start to develop romantic feelings for her friend and roommate Joanne Curtis.

Days of Our Lives, Sharon Duvall

In 1977 the unhappily married Sharon Duval (Sally Stark) admitted to her dear friend Julie Williams that she was bisexual and was in love with her. The story line was quickly wrapped up when problems broke out backstage between head writer Pat Falken Smith and the NBC top brass.

1983
All My Children, Lynn Carson

After Devon McFadden discovered Lynn was a lesbian, she convinced herself that a relationship with a woman was the answer to her problems. Lynn wisely told her that you don't just choose to become a lesbian because your affairs with men don't work out. After about 2 or 3 months, Lynn decided to get on with her life and moved away from Pine Valley.

1985
Santa Barbara, Channing Capwell, Jr
Santa Barbara, Lindsay Smith

This soap opera opened its first episode with the release from prison of the wrongly convicted murderer of Channing Capwell Jr. In the course of finding the real killer, it was discovered that Channing's past included affairs with his father's mistress and someone named Lindsay Smith. More investigation turned up that Lindsay was another man. Some of this story was played out in flashback wherein Channing and Lindsay appeared.

1988
As The World Turns, Hank Elliot

Hank was a dress designer, who had come to town to find occupation away from his HIV+ lover Charles. Various characters reacted differently to Hank's coming out to them.

1992
One Life to Live, Billy Douglas
One Life to Live, Jonathan Michaelson
One Life to Live, Rick Mitchell

Billy Douglas moved into Llanview in the summer of 1992, a 17 year old highschool senior. Billy's struggle to come out to himself and his homophobic parents, in the midst of a town bitterly divided over a rumour that the local minister might be gay, occupied a substantial share of OLTL air time over the summer of 1992. Jonathan, lover of the minister's late brother, showed up to ask for help making a quilt panel. Billy met Rick Mitchell carolling on Christmas eve 1992 and left for Yale the next summer.

1994
General Hospital, John Hanley

Beginning in 1994 the character of John Hanley was a recurring character, each year co-chairing the annual AIDS Ball charity fundraiser. The character and the actor were both HIV-positive, and when actor Lee Mathis died in early 1996, John Hanley's [off screen] death was mourned on the show.

1995
All My Children, Michael Delaney
All My Children, Rudy

In 1995 producers introduced a full-time (as opposed to short-term) gay character. Michael's sexual orientation was revealed several months after his addition to the cast. In the ensuing controversy about a gay teacher in the classroom, `Mr. D.' developed a platonic friendship with an employee of the local TV station. Kevin, one of Mike's students and the leading homophobe's younger brother, came out.

Guiding Light, Wyatt Sanders

Wyatt, a recurring character, was an HIV counselor and appeared in several episodes between 1995 and 1997.

1996
All My Children, Kevin Sheffield
All My Children, Brad Phillips

By September 1996 Mike and Brad had started dating, and moved in together in January 1997. Actor Chris Bruno was contracted for only occasional appearances (a few times per year) after April 1997. During the summer of 1997 Kevin endured "reparative therapy" by a conversion therapist sponsored by his homophobic parents.

1996
The City, Azure C.

1997
All My Children, Rick

General Hospital, Ted Murty

Ted Murty [occasional from 1997] was erroneously suspected in the sexual assault of a female student.

One Life to Live, Wendie Mercury

1999
Passions, Simone Russell

2000
All My Children, Bianca Montgomery
All My Children, Rain Wilkins
All My Children, Sarah Livingston

Following treatment for Anorexia nervosa, teenage Bianca returns home in 2000, stunning her mother, Erica, by confessing that she is in a lesbian relationship with a girl named Sarah.

2002
All My Children, Olga Sosnovska
All My Children, Maggie Stone

2004
The Bold and the Beautiful, Sergei

2005
As The World Turns, Luke Synder

A character since his birth, in the spring of 2006 teenager Luke came out, to varied reactions from his family and friends. Luke's first crush was his straight best friend Kevin Davis (Karl Girolamo).

2005
General Hospital, Lucas Jones
A character since his birth, during the winter of 2005/6 college student Lucas grew to realize he was harboring a secret sure to distress his family situation.

One Life To Live, Daniel Colson
One Life to Live, Mark

2006
All My Children, Zarf/Zoe Luper

Erica Kane's lesbian daughter Bianca Montgomery returned full time to the program from fall 2006 to April 2007 (without girlfriend Maggie). In what was perhaps one of the most convoluted attempts to avoid portraying a same-sex romance, AMC introduced Zarf, a male-to-female transsexual (played by a male actor) to provide Bianca a love interest.

General Hospital, Guy Richardson

Guy and Lucas Jones began dating in May, 2006, and they both promptly disappeared from view.

Passions, Chad Harris-Crane
Passions, Vincent Clarkson-Crane

Somewhat unconventional American daytime drama, mixing complex, interrelated families with a 300-year-old supernatural meddler. Simone is daytime's first African-American lesbian. In early 2007 is was revealed that Chad was having an affair with another man. Chad's lover Vincent would go to any lengths to keep the affair secret. Chad's heterosexuality was eventually rescued when it was revealed that Vincent was a hermaphrodite and Chad was sleeping only with Vincent's female anatomy. Vincent turned out to be a serial killer and (using his male parts) a rapist.

2007
As The World Turns, Noah Mayer

Noah's speedy connection with Maddie Coleman told Luke Snyder his heart was heading down the wrong path again. Soapy plots have included a Noah's crazed, homophobic father, Luke's tenure paralized in a wheelchair, and Noah's green-card-sham marriage to Ameera, a wayward Iraqi. Early story characterized by well-written plot developments separated by weeks or months of the character being sidelined by the writers. A vocal campaign by Luke & Noah fans seemed to break down story barriers inside the production company circa May 2008.

2008
As The World Turns, Reg Addington
As The World Turns, Tony

In February 2008, the characters of Reg and Tony were introduced as fellow gay Oakdale U students.