The representation of gay people in UK/US TV drama

I have chosen to research into this topic because homosexuality is increasing and i find the issues and the reactions from the public interesting as they can be controversial issues such as homophobia and in some cases they get abused for being different.
the 3 texts I have in mind are:

• Eastenders British( focusing on Syed and Christian)
  

http://www.lgf.org.uk/eastenders-move-forward-with-gay-muslim-storyline/

''Muslims are the lack of visibility in mainstream media and the limited allocation of resources to raise awareness and understanding. That is why Imaan supports the BBC's attempt to sensitively develop a credible character, Syed Masood, who contends with the different facets of his identity.''

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/07/22/bbc-condemned-for-tv-portrayal-of-gay-people/

Lesbians were found to be particularly underrepresented on television, as 77 per cent of depictions of gay people concerned gay men.

BBC2 and the corporation’s other channels contained no depictions of lesbian and gay people. On BBC1, researchers found that only two programmes in the viewing sample contained portrayals of gay people. These were EastEnders, which has a storyline about gay characters Christian and Syed and the Jonathan Ross show which featured four poofs and a piano.

The report said that the EastEnders storyline focused on Syed’s fear of being outed and the turbulent relationship between the couple

Home and away Australian ( Charlie and Joey)

• http://www.charlie-joey.com/ even a fanpage too support the controversial storyline

channel 5 sponsored by Brighthouse
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/news/a149332/outrage-at-home-and-away-lesbian-storyline.html

"The plotlines that young kids and teenagers should be presented with should be about really authentic relationships that are not just sexualised."

Anderson, 29, defended the controversial storyline, saying: "You learn pretty much everything at school. I don't think it's like I'm lifting the lid on something they don't already know about.

"To me there's no difference - love's love. The fact that your partner's the same sex is no different. You just want to be loved."

• Desperate Housewives American ( Catherine Mayfair and Robin Gallagher)

sponsored by Baileys season 6..season 7 sponsored by Special K

channel 4 and E4 watershed

http://greginhollywood.com/the-lesbian-twist-on-desperate-housewives-21684

mixed reactions towards the storyline:

''That is so disappointing! wasn't it enough with the gay theme, now a lesbian theme!!! That is so disgusting .. I was a huge fan of DH but now I lost interest .. it's too much!''

as there alredy was a gay couple on wisteria lane

''This storyline makes no sense. It also implies that straight people choose to be gay (when they get tired of being straight). Not the message I want to see on TV.'' - David from houston

''A girl-on-girl kiss in a bar to get rid of two pesky males.. seriously??? isn’t that every straight man’s fantasy to watch two women make out?'' - Kyle
this could be supported by the male gaze