This Week’s Poll: Best Current Gay Storyline

This week we are asking you to vote for the best current gay storylines in the UK soaps at the moment. There’s the Lesbian relationship between Sophie Webster and Sian Powers in Coronation Street, or Aaron’s struggle to accept his sexuality in Emmerdale or the taboo relationship between Christian and Syed in EastEnders to chose from. As ever we’ve put together a small feature to help you decide.

EastEnders: Christian Clarke & Syed Masood

Christian Clarke (John Partridge) was first introduce in BBC One soap EastEnders in January 2008 when his sister Jane Beale (Laurie Brett) and was about to enter into a civil partnership. However, the relationship between Christian and his partner collapsed and he moved into Albert Square. A confused Stephen Beale (Aaron Sidwell) made a pass at Christian during his stint on the square before fleeing. However, by far Christian’s biggest story is his somewhat controversial affair with neighbour Syed Masood (Marc Elliot). The story has been criticised by some Muslims for dealing with the subject of homosexuality and Islam but at the same time some viewers have praised the story. The relationship has slowly panned out as Syed struggled to deal with his sexuality and his religious beliefs – desperately trying to prove to himself he was straight by marrying Amira (Preeya Kalidas). The marriage brokedown as a hard as Syed tries he just can’t resist Christian.

Emmerdale: Aaron Livesy and Jackson Walsh

Emmerdale’s latest gay plot has won much praise and won over the critics as village resident Aaron (Danny Miller) struggles to come to terms with his sexuality. To all purposes Aaron is essentially your typical, average straight bloke but for the past few months the teen has been questioning his sexuality – and coming to grips with it. His pass at best mate Adam (Adam Thomas) was a sign of the storyline to come. While struggling to come to terms with his sexuality Aaron lashes out at friend/father-figure Paddy after coming out to him and fled the village – but returned intent on denying his sexuality. However, slowly Aaron is coming to terms with who he is and is in a relationship, of sorts, with Jackson (Marc Silcock).

Coronation Street: Sophie Webster and Sian Powers

For years all Sophie Webster (Brooke Vincent) ever did was eat fish fingers and brush her teeth – that was the extent of the younger Webster life. Older sister Rosie rebelled against the regime of fish fingers and teeth brushing and became a goth – and later pretty much a vampy slut. Sophie’s rebellion against her parents forced diet of fish fingers was to become a Christian and then a lesbian. After years of being overshadowed by the attention-seeking antics of her sister, Sophie decided the only course left open to her was to find comfort in the arms of god. Sophie became a Christian with friend Sian Powers (Sasha Parkinson) and the two found themselves Christian boyfriends. Slowly, and thankfully, the writers gently eased the Christian aspect of her character into the background and concentrated instead on Sophie’s new found sexuality – as Sophie and Sian embarked on an affair. Their lesbian relationship has been, pretty much, ignored coming as it does with the Christian/Syed and Aaron/Jackson storylines which have received far much more attention. However, the storyline is just as significant as the other two because not only does it mark Corrie’s first lesbian relationship but also a character who has literally grown up in front of the audience – not introduced months before coming out – who has turned out to be gay. It proves that anyone can be gay, even your next door neighbour or your daughter; someone you has grown up before your eyes can just as easily be gay as the new lad next door.

Voting for the poll will close on Friday 17th September.