Jan 18th, 2006
General Hospital Recruiting Allies
General Hospital. The last time I saw watched an episode, it was because my grade school teacher rolled in a big TV into our classroom so we wouldn’t miss Luke and Laura’s wedding. (Actually, so she wouldn’t miss it…)
Fast-forward a couple decades. Luke and Laura are divorced now, and their first born son Lucas (aka “Lucky,”) is all grown up — and gay. [Okay, I got my characters mixed up. Lucas is not the same as Lucky, and Luke is Lucas' uncle. I told you it's been a while since I've seen the show.] Lucas is slowly coming out to a select group of people he trusts. On today’s episode, Lucas’ face was bloody and bruised as he explained how he was tricked by a man who flirted with him, pretending to be gay so he could lure Lucas out of the bar and beat him with a lead pipe. Now Lucas doesn’t want to go to the hospital because his parents will find out (cuz as in all daytime dramas, they’re in a small town where everybody finds out everything) and Lucas fears they will quickly put it together that the attack was a hate crime. He’s not ready for his parents to know he is gay.
Lucas has a couple friends who know, and during today’s episode, two more young people found out Lucas was gay. Fortunately, his sexuality was not the issue for them; their priority was making sure Lucas is going to be okay and that he knows he didn’t invite the attack.
Why my return to GH after 20+ years? Last week staff at GLAAD contacted me about their collaborative PSA that was broadcast at the end of the show. 
Viewers were directed to GLAAD’s website where there is a collection of links for more information. My website, FamiliesLikeMine.com is among the resources. Thanks, GLAAD!