Wed. July 9, 2003
Los Angeles, California -
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Tuesday expressed concern over a new storyline on ABC Daytime's "All My Children" (show website) in which the only lesbian character on daytime television is raped.
On the July 8 episode of "All My Children," Bianca Montgomery (played by Eden Riegel) was raped by Michael Cambias (William de Vry), a psychopath who previously attempted to sexually assault her mother, Erica Kane (Susan Lucci). Cambias also is a former lover of Bianca's bisexual girlfriend Lena (Olga Sosnovska), and his rape of Bianca seemed largely motivated by his jealousy over her relationship with Lena.
"'All My Children' has a history of taking on difficult and controversial issues," said GLAAD Entertainment Media Director Scott Seomin. (GLAAD website)
"Over the past three years, viewers have watched as Bianca became aware of her sexual identity and they followed her journey as she experienced both acceptance and heartbreak when she came out to her family and friends."
Seomin said that the reality of rape is an important issue that needs to be discussed, "however, we are disappointed and concerned that the show's producers and writers have chosen to explore the issue through a storyline depicting the rape of the only lesbian character in any daytime television drama."
In conjunction with the storyline -- the ramifications of which are expected to play out over the next several months -- ABC Daytime is also launching a public service announcement campaign in partnership with the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network. The PSAs are expected to begin airing today.
"We applaud ABC Daytime's work with RAINN to educate viewers about the impact of rape," Seomin said.
"But their decision to rape daytime's only lesbian character, coupled with the manner in which the assault was set up, conveys a troubling message that Bianca's character was singled out for this because of her sexual orientation."
Seomin said that 'All My Children's' writers and producers have an obligation to correct the impression as they move Bianca's story forward in the weeks and months to come.
by Matt Johns
365Gay.com Newscenter
Los Angeles Bureau
©365Gay.com® 2003
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