The Tuesday De-Briefing: Chris Bruno
Say what you will about Soap Operas, more often than not they come down on the right side of the gay rights issue, yay the LGBT rights issue. In the spirit of post-Isaiah Washington/Tim Hardaway/Ann Coulter hate mongering, it might do some good to remember All My Children's Michael Delaney as portrayed by Chris Bruno. They don't come much sexier than Chris Bruno and the show did well casting him as the gay school teacher. Of course, this site does have a penchant for guys named Chris. Be that as it may, the television gods provided a handsome hero for the community. A credible source once stated that Mr. Bruno was somewhat uncomfortable in the role, perhaps there is some validity in that discomfort. The thing of it is that he did do it from 1995-1997. Thank you, Mr Bruno.
Here's Soap Central's character synopsis:
"Michael Delaney was a respected veteran in the Marines, a basketball coach, and high school history teacher. He was loved by all until they found out more about his sexual preference. Michael 'came out' about being gay to his history class and found that the close-minded citizens of Pine Valley were not as accepting as he thought they would be. With the help of his brother-in-law, Trevor Dillon, Michael successfully won a court case against the Pine Valley School Board, who wanted him off the job because he would 'teach' his lifestyle to his students. Needless to say, this hate campaign was led by non other than Enid Nelson, Greg Nelson's Mother.
At last reference, Michael was currently living happily with his boyfriend, Brad Phillips, and remained on staff as a teacher at Pine Valley High School."
Let it be remembered that he is Lily Montgomery's blood relative. It would be logical to bring the character back to Pine Valley as part of her support network. At any rate, Mr Bruno continues to work, most recently in the TV Science Fiction Film Grendel, starring as Beowolf. So, while calling for his de-briefing and casting bouquets of kudos at him for Michael Delaney, we also want to wish him a Happy Birthday next week on the Ides of March.
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July 08, 1996
They say that life imitates art. But the July 9th issue of Soap Opera Weekly tells us, "At Pine Valley High, Art Imitates Life." The story by Carmen McDowell revolves around the startling similarities between the coming out of All My Children character Michael Delaney (played by Chris Bruno) and real life Missouri teacher Rodney Wilson. Wilson, a teacher at Mehlville High School in St. Louis, was the center of much controversy when he came out to his history class while discussing the Holocaust. Delaney, too, was also the center of controversy in fictional Pine Valley when he came out to his history class while addressing the same topic.
McDowell writes that after studying materials from PFLAG and GLSEN for Delaney's character, All My Children's writers became particularly impelled by Rodney Wilson's story. AMC headwriter Lorraine Broderick recalled, "Rodney, along with other gay teachers, really inspired us. What they have been able to accomplish, given their obstacles, gave us so much to be able to think about when we were developing the story. It was gratifying to be able to write about things that had actually happened to real people."
No one, however, was prepared for the popularity behind the storyline. Chris Bruno, who was at first reluctant for his character to come out, began to change his attitude. McDowell writes, " the fan mail began to arrive -- fans cheering him on, letters from kids telling Bruno that they would rather commit suicide than tell their parents about their homosexuality, notes from gay teachers who were considering coming out to their classes. He has been pleasantly surprised by the positive reaction." All My Children received a GLAAD Media Award in 1996 for its representation.
Wilson noted, "This story can only help people understand what it means to be gay and what the gays-in-the classroom debate is all about."