Glee’s controversial gay sex episode airs tonight
A Glee episode set to air in the UK tonight will portray the show’s critically acclaimed gay couple losing their virginity.
One of the main characters, Kurt Hummel, played by Chris Colfer, found love last season with Blaine Anderson, from rival school Dalton Academy’s Warblers choir.
The episode also follows them and one of the show’s main straight couples as they consider taking their relationship to the next level.
Ryan Murphy, Glee co-creator, said: “Everybody has seen a straight couple losing their virginity, but has anyone dovetailed the gay and straight stories together and given them equal weight? That seemed like an exciting choice and a new thing.”
However Tim Winter, president of the Parents Television Council questioned the responsibility of the network, Fox, saying: “The gender of the high school characters involved is irrelevant. Research proves that television can, and likely will, influence a teen’s decision to become sexually active. Fox knows the show inherently attracts kids.”
Chris Colfer said: “I think it’s a huge deal that this is the first time something like this has been shown on television, but I think it’s handled so delicately that I don’t think it will have quite the shock factor.”
Colfer’s portrayal of Kurt won the 2010 Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series, and two nominations for an Emmy in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series category.
He said people were expecting “this big, raunchy, suggestive, brainwashing storyline when really it’s very sweet.”
Colfer’s character will suffer a setback this autumn however, as new character Sebastian, portrayed by Grant Gustin, sets his sights on Kurt’s boyfriend.
Guston told the Hollywood Reporter: “He’s a guys-guy, just a dude who happens to be gay, he’s a lacrosse player, he’s popular.
“He’s after Blaine, obviously, and he’s also trying to take the place that Blaine had as the leader of the Warblers.”
The episode will be shown on Sky 1 this evening.
