They’ve been playing tonsil-hockey and gettin’ super-cosy on the Holden couch together but Mattie’s new bf Dean has a secret that will shock: he’s gay!

But hang on a tic: is it really that shocking? Gay characters on TV is nothing noveau. In fact, did you know that Aussie star Heath Ledger got his big break playing the gay cyclist Snowy on TV show Sweat? Although the series wasn’t a huge ratings success, it did provide Our Heath with a stepping stone to bigger and better things, like the Academy Award-winning Brokeback Mountain.

Indeed, as Hollywood heart-throbs like Heath and Jake Gyllenhaal confidently potray themselves as gay cowboys lovers, it’s obvious homophobia is a social insitution becoming less and less relevant to our generation. Hey, if Jake ‘I’m the coolest guy in the world cuz I was in Donnie Darko and it ruled plus I’m ridiculously hot’ Gyllenhaal is comfortable with his sexuality, who shouldn’t be?

Gay characters started popping up in abundance in the ’70s and early ’80s on groundbreaking television shows like Prisoner, Number 96 and Dynasty, echoing the popular interest in sex and sexuality (revolution, peace, love, mung-beans etc). The televisation of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras bought gay and lesbian culture into the homes of all Australians from the late-90s, sparking a new wave of gay and lesbian characters in television shows.

All your fave shows are flying the rainbow flag: remember the gay or bisexual characters on Friends, Buffy, The O.C., Dawson’s Creek, The Simpsons, Will and Grace (OK, so they’re practically all gay there!) – even the creator of Ren and Stimpy has confirmed those crazy critters were gay lovers! In fact, it seems your fave TV show just isn’t hot and hip unless some of its characters are queer! With that in mind, let’s turn our gaze to Summer Bay for the latest gay character on the small screen.

We first meet Dean at the retreat where Mattie is being treated for bulimia. Seemingly a contender for a post-Lucas boyfriend, Dean and Mattie became pals then pash-buddies as they work through their various issues, comforting each other when fellow retreat chick Vanessa has a breakdown and is taken to hospital. But Dean’s story isn’t adding up, and it’s not long before the boy both Lucas and Mattie see him talking with is revealed to be his boyfriend! After Lucas confronts him over this, Dean denies it’s true, and continues to date an unsuspecting Matilda!

“That’s probably pretty realistic for a kid in a country town,” explains Roozi Araghi, queer/ pop culture expert. “Things have improved but there’s still not a lot of kids in the equivalent of Summer Bay who are likely to be loud, proud and telling everyone they’re gay. It’s great that storyline is getting out there to reach not only those gay kids and say, ‘What you’re feeling is OK, other people go through it’, but also reach one or two of those girls who dated a guy and wonder why he prefers to go shopping with her than make out at the movies”.

As we all know, Home and Away isn’t a show bursting at the summery, sandy seams with gay characters. As Roozi points out, “It can be quite difficult to integrate gay or lesbian characters into a show like Home and Away on an ongoing basis because [the show] revolves around the romantic relationships of the characters, and so if there’s a pretty limited number of people they can date, it makes it difficult to create ongoing storylines.”

But that’s not to say Home and Away viewers are intolerant – far from it! “I think people’s attitude to sexuality are ever-improving,” comments Roozi. “As more people have gay brothers and sisters and cousins and uncles and friends and friends, it’s difficult for people to be that ignorant. Overall there are relatively few young people who believe homosexuality is wrong or don’t believe in equal rights for different sexualitites. I think the issue being aired on Home and Away will only cement the idea that that demographic really does see those issues in a way that’s really open-minded.”

Do you consider yourself open-minded about homosexuality? Is a gay character shocking to you? What do you make of Dean? Email us on homeandaway@seven.com.au and let us know your thoughts!

Matt: I'm in the UK so havent seen this yet but am looking forward to it already, even though it probably wont be on for a few months, grrrrrrr! I wondered when this would happen, in the UK ALL of the soaps have at least one gay character and no-one bats an eyelid! Coronarion Street has a very camp gay character called Sean Tully played by an actor who used to be in Queer as Folk and he works in the lingerie factory and is a very funny character, by making him funny they have made people like him more! Emmerdale even has a part time drag queen! Home and Away has got some carching up to do but this is a great step! Lets face it, Home and Away is quite camp, just look at Coleen, the campest character on TV! A lot of the audience and i'm sure those who work on the show are gay so this will be great! Gay people/characters are common place on TV over here and homophobia is decreasing (I know from experience, i'm 19 and I get less negative comments now than about 5 years ago) so a gay character in Home and Away is a great addition! Look forward to seeing it, whenever that happens! :)

Leith: About time! I'm a 21 year old gay male who has been watching Home and Away since I was about ten years old, and I have been hoping shows like yours would have a gay character especially seeing as so many young people are influenced by what's on television. I didn't have any positive young role models on TV when I was younger, but with characters like Dean I honestly believe you'll help more young people than you'll ever realise. Personally I'd like a gay character on the show who is say a teacher at the school, about Sally's age who is well balanced and doesn't have to rely on relationship stories to stay endearing to viewers. There's many of us around so put a good image out to young people so we can be ourselves without apology.

Ryan: Dear Home and Away, i was just on your website and read the story about Dean being gay and looking for comments about this. i think its a good move for home and away, and long overdue, it was very unrealistic to have a whole town of teenagers and them all all being straight, ive been a fan since the late 80's and always found it strange that homosexuality didnt exist in the parllel universe of home and away, keep up the good work, hope to make it back to oz again sometime.

Matt: I think that having a gay character on Home and Away is the best thing you guys have done! Not saying that the other story lines are bad because they are not! I'm 28 year old gay male who loves watching the show each night. Well Done Seven! I'm looking forward to seeing how you develop this character.

B.Vance: To be honest ive never really bothered to watch home and away, as i dont think ive ever seen an episode of it with a romantic relationship between two guys. I may be wrong, but generally speaking it seemed to be non existent on the show. I just heard about the new Dean storyline and I will definitely be tuning in now!!! I hope the storyline is not some one off 'novelty', and i honestly hope it rubs off onto other Australian mainstream television shows. Degrassi High The next Generation has incorporated a several major gay characters and storylines in its show, for the last couple of years in fact, and it is both an engrossing and extremely popular mainstream show in Canada, The States and Australia. Perhaps it is its reflection of real life that encourages its popular status. Australian TV shows are in desperate need of these types of storylines and characters. I sure hope you guys run with this for some time to come! Lets hope other major Aussie shows follow by example!

Kane: I personally think that it is great that you can incorporate a character like dean. I hope that it does help kids or adults who are having trouble coming to terms with their sexuality. i know that if i wasn't "out" already that it would definately help me in some way. I have a very supportive family so it wasn't so bad for me to tell them who i really was. But not everybody has that so i personally think that putting a character like dean in the show was a great idea.

Ryan: I am a heterosexual 16 year old who regularly watches your show. I have a gay brother and was once homophobic. Since my brother came out my attitudes have changed, I don't care about homosexuals anymore, they are no less of a person because of their sexual preferences. I admire them for their bravery and resillience. I think as society changes its now time for a show like Home & Away to introduce a character like Dean, who is gay as a full on regular cast member. It may be difficult to write 'non controversial' arcs for a gay character but think of the changes in attitudes that will be created if your show decides to introduce this character as a regular. It may be deemed slightly controversial but hey its 2006 and times are changing as are many peoples views on homosexuality. Home & Away has always moved with the times in its storylines and just touching on the issue of gay people as you've done before with Pippa's son Chris and now with Dean, you are not really giving the character a real go in the show. Make Dean a regular, you have no idea how doing a simple and sort of basic thing like this will do for homosexuals in Australia and Australian television. Go on, take a risk- it will pay off.

Linda: I think in this day and age, you need to show your viewers, about gay people. The people of today have to understand it's out there now more. It will help other young gay people out there watching your show to understand it more clearly.

Salsy: I think it is GREAT that there is finally a character dealing with the issue of being gay and coming out in a small town... I think it would be great to have a loveable gay or lesbian couple on an ongoing basis, so that it is hard even for those who disapprove to dislike the character/s. This may go a step further in promoting acceptance in the wider community. Thanks for including this issue in the plot!

Sophie: I thought dean was a bit weird and then when I saw him hugging Gareth I yelled oh my god he is GAY!!! But it does add up! I always thought Home and Away needed a gay guy! So it was great to see one and Dean was the perfect guy! Dean was always weird to me with his spiked up hair and not knowing why he was in the clinic for people with problems! Maybe he lashed out on his brother when he figured out he was gay!

Kerrie: I don't have a problem if he's gay. I do have a problem that he's lying and pretending he's not gay. I have seen too many people hurt by this situation, including kids who are born to a gay man and an unsuspecting wife! Make him apologise for the lies, befor maddie starts vomitting again, and get him to do it in a sensitive way. The lying and cheating is pathetic, and not a good role model to kids, gay or straight.

Cassie: My mum and I are HUGE fans of home and away. If we cant watch it at 7 cause we are out we tape it and watch it before the next episode. Personally homosexuality doesn’t bother me but it bothers mum as she is a minister of religion. I remember when you had lesbians on the show thru Gypsy and her partner. Mum would ban us from watching H&A. then like 12months later she allowed us to watch it again… I can just see her banning it all over, which sucks. But hey homosexuality is apart of everyday life now. More people are more accepting to it just not religious people for obvious reasons…

Lauren: I'm fine with people who are gay its their choice and i dont judge them for it. i have friends who are openly gay and i find they can be some of the best people to hang around with. the only thing i'm not comfortable with is if they started full on pashing. but every thing eles is AOK!

David: I believe that each 2 their own every one has the right 2 live BEING GAY IS OK

Daniel: I have recently read the article about Dean being the gay character on Home and Away and I have to say that I am extremely disappointed by this storyline and I am also disappointed with your article explaining “Dean’s secret”. In this very much one sided article you have basically told the reader and potential viewers than homosexuality is an acceptably lifestyle and one that should be tolerated. You have gone to great lengths to get the point across that this way of life is the norm and that everyone, young and old, should be accepting of gays and their way of life. Well I’m afraid that is incorrect, it is one thing to have a gay character on this once great show, but another to try and almost brainwash readers into thinking that this is tolerable. ‘Dean’s’ character on the show is completely unnecessary, and this storyline is extremely unacceptable and one that I wish to never see on the show again.

Andrew: As a bisexual youth I found the Dean storyline disappointing. Too many times in Australian soap's gay and lesbians are represented as 'out of control' or 'off the rails', especially on Home and Away, e.g Chris who ran away after attempting to kiss Seb, Zoe and Tracey who speak for themselves and now Dean. I know it would be confronting for some, but I would like to see a steady bi-sexual or homosexual character on Home and Away. These last few months have shown H & A isnt afraid to tackle the big issues (abuse with Cassie and Macca, bulimia with Matilda, false phsyical abuse charges etc). I find it sad that people would be more offended by a same-sex attracted character than a psychotic stalker, a mother kissing her daughter's boyfriend or a Cult member raping a teenage girl, resulting in pregnancy. Looking forward to seeing a stable (as far as stable goes on Home and Away anyway hehe) gay character in the future.

Caz: I consider myself open minded about homosexuality. i have a few gay friends and know a few bis~ they're completely normal and they're really good friends. i think a gay character in home and away is a way to make it more interesting, a complication you could call it i suppose.. but the fact he's dating mattie whilst having a boyfriend.. honestly~ isnt that like cheating? i mean.. being gay doesnt make you any different. you shouldnt have any exceptions. if you're dating two people at once then you're a two-timer. i wonder what will happen in the following episodes of home and away?

Kausar: I'd just like to say that Dean's on-set homosexuality is absolutely disgusting and that I personally thought, prior to watching the intimate scene with his boyfriend, that home and away was a clean show to watch with the entire family. You know, God created adam and EVE, not adam and STEVE and there are, as you probably know, thousands of people watching that don't agree with homosexuality..it's controversial and I don't think that you should be instilling abnormal thoughts into tender minds (my 7 year old sister watches your show!). So why place a scene that's going to cause controversy..you're just letting your own show ratings slip!

Dee: I think having someone gay isnt gross or rude, its kinda normal these days, but i feel sorry for mattie!

Bernadette: & I've just been on the home & away web site, 1st of all I would like to say that I am absolutly in love with home & away! It's my fav show by far! My fav character is Rick Dolby! Omgsh he is lyk soo hot! But I was a little bit dissapointed to hear that u are bringing in a gay character, & I believe that there are better ways of dealing with the subject of sexuality without having a gay character. Don't get me wrong, I accept that ther are ppl lyk that around, my best friend is bi & I accept it, but I don't agree with it & I certainly don't agree with the fact that young children watch this show & they shouldn't b exposed 2 this at such a young age.

Tamara: I don't necessarily consider homosexuality to be wrong as there has been an increasing amount of research done lately into what cause's some people to become gay and not other and it has been found that quite often boys or girls in large families with a number of older siblings are more likely to turn out gay than those from relatively small families or single parent families and that people who are gay don't always choose to be. I believe the increased amount of oestrogens we come into on a daily basis, been flushed down our drains, may also be a big contributor to the increasing number of homosexuals around as all these artificial hormones not only muck up the testosterone levels in males affecting homeostasis and by doing so bring about males who are more effeminate, but can also affect female hormones as. Whilst there are many out there who still feel uncomfortable about having homosexuality flaunted in public as you mentioned in your article the number of gay people in this country is on the rise and they are among us like it or not, so we need to accept it.