The 100 Grooviest LGBT Characters on Television

From:  Deep Dish

65

Hank Eliot 

Brian Starcher

As the World Turns 

1988–89

In 1988 ATWT introduced the first gay male character, Hank Elliot (Brian Starcher), to daytime. Hank was a masculine man who was introduced to the town before revealing his homosexuality. The characters, particularly young slightly SORASed teenagers Paul Ryan (played at this time by Andrew Kavovit) and his friend, Andy Dixon (played by Scott DeFreitas), then had to struggle with their feelings over being around him. Ultimately, when Hank was shot after saving Paul from his nefarious father James, Paul realized what a true friend Hank was. When Hank was written out of the show, ATWT almost gave him AIDS, but felt that would send a stereotypical message. Instead they gave Hank's off-camera partner the virus.