A Gay Old Time
Soap Opera Digest: How do you like having such a pivotal role in this socially significant storyline?
Lindze Letherman: I love it because I know that [coming out] is coming forward in a lot of high school and college situations right now. I think we’re sending a wonderful message, that this is okay, people. [Being gay] is something that I believe is becoming more accepted in our society, but still has a long way to go. I think maybe we can make leaps and bounds by saying, “This is okay.”
Digest: Are you happy the show is taking its time in telling Lucas’s tale?
Letherman: I am, because it’s realistic. You don’t just come out to everybody overnight. The New Year’s episode, the one where Lucas came out to Dillon, was a really good episode.
Digest: What did you like about it?
Letherman: There were some really good scenes, because Lucas told Dillon to protect Georgie. That’s why I think it was so good, because she was protecting Lucas, saying to Dillon, “You need to trust me. You don’t need to worry. There’s something going on, but I can’t tell you.” Dillon was jealous because [Georgie and Lucas] were always have these private conversations, not knowing that she’s asking him, “Have you read the pamphlets I gave you? Have you thought about telling more people?” And Dillon was getting frustrated with her. Then Lucas said, “Wait, I can solve this whole thing.” She said, “No, I’ve got it covered. I can handle this.” And he said, “No, I need to do this,” and that’s when he took this huge step forward by telling another male, a good friend of his — his roommate! Great drama! Scott [Clifton, Dillon] played the scene fabulously because he had to play blown away. And at first you think, “Is he going to freak out or criticize Lucas?” You didn’t know what he was going to say and at the end of the episode, Dillon said, “I had no idea. I’m so sorry [for his own behavior], but we still love you.” It was such an amazing moment. And it ended with Lucas feeling all warm and fuzzy and thinking maybe coming out won’t be so bad.
Digest: What did you learn about your character during all this?
Letherman: I respect Georgie so much for keeping his secret because it was not hers to tell. It would have been really good drama if Georgie told, but I’m so proud of her that she didn’t. She was like, “Nope. Not my secret. I’m going to help you through this.” She didn’t betray him, because that was my biggest fear. I was so proud of her, almost as proud as I was of Lucas [laughs].
Digest: What do you think heterosexual audience members will take away from this story?
Letherman: I think one of the messages is that just because you accept someone who’s gay, that doesn’t mean you’re gay. It may sound silly, but I think that lends to a lot of confusion among some people. Just because I have gay friends, I’m not gay. I have a lot of gay friends who I love dearly, and they’re no different than my other best guy friends. I think it’s really great the way they’re doing it. They’re doing it correctly. Georgie is being just like me, here, saying “Why does it matter? Why is this that big of a deal?” Because really, it’s not.
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