Australian television has been equally reticent. Modern Family’s Cam and Mitchell live together and have adopted a child, but it wasn’t until season two that they exchanged even the most innocent of kisses. Sit-com Will and Grace (1998-2006) went several seasons before gay character Will ever kissed a male partner. Whenever it looked like he might be about to kiss, the camera panned away discreetly. Popular 1990s soap Melrose Place (1992-1999) was known for its steamy romances, but gay character Matt only ever participated in an occasional manly hug. The growing presence of gay characters on television has not necessarily indicated growing comfort with displays of same-sex affection. But similar acts between two men continue to be framed as something from which audiences must be shielded.
This is accepted as appropriate children’s entertainment because the desire these kisses convey is heterosexual.
The entire premise of stories that became films like Snow White and The Little Mermaid is that a kiss from a man will save a woman (or girl).
