Number 96 (Don & Bev) World's 1st Gay Man Portrayed on TV

Don Finlayson has gone down in history as the first man portrayed on television as homosexual in 1972; 20 years before Melrose Place. Don is also the most centred character in Number 96. Here he breaks Bev's heart in telling her that he is a "homo-sexual".

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Number
• 96
• Cash-Harmon
• Productions
• 0-10
• Network

[Hammersley1967]

You... you... dirty, filthy, little queer!!!

GET OUT!!!

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

[davidbolan]

What a big shock it must have been at the time...

[zaniac100]

@zaniac100 1965: Stella Lamond, in Eton Crop with collar and tie, plays a lesbian in an episode of 'Homicide'. Same year, a discussion of homosexuality on Australian television: 'Encounter' with Barry Jones on Channel 7 at 9pm, featuring lesbians and gay men, plus doctor, sociologist and psychiatrist.

[zaniac100]

@zaniac100 1961: Australian gay TV play: Patricia Hooker's A Season in Hell (ABC-TV), about the French poets Rimbaud and Vertaine (Allen Bickford and Alastair Duncan). 'Neighbours' star Anne Haddy played Verlaine's wife, who has to cope with the introduction of a teenage male lover into the household.

[zaniac100]

Aust TV had some earlier gl characters, preceding this (and the 1967 one in the US), but they they were one offs. The thing with Don is he was a lead regular character for *the show's entire run*. Pretty significant. See my other comments for the other earlier gl characters.

[PrairieOasos]

Actually, the first gay character was probably in the late 1940s, an early television program in the US. I believe it was an adaption of a play or some such. This episode from the 1970s may still be historically relevant.

[sexualphilosophyDcom]

gets funnier with each passing millenium.

[mrsgritoli1]

Elaine Bennes converted one once, but he went back to the other team.

[mrsgritoli1]

I always wondered why Don used to have his mouth open all the time

[TaninaOz]

Just a brilliant moment in Aussie Tele!

[60srocker46]

if i was gay and had someone as hot and sexy as abigail wanting me to touch her and sleep with her , would i turn and go straight ? ,,,,,,,,  HELL YES

[mrsgritoli1]

WHAT A CLASSIC