Photo: Lou Rocco/ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — TV Guide’s Michael Logan sits down with Scott Evans to preview Llanview’s upcoming mass gay marriage ceremony.

On Thursday, October 29th, Fish is placed in charge of crowd control, and is soon faced with numerous protestors shouting “Gay Is Not The Way!” Evans admits that It’s all he [Fish] can physically do to not hurt someone. The people closest to him know he’s gay—his parents, his roommates—but he gets caught up in everything and has this big crazy outburst in front of the protestors and ends up coming out on national TV.”

The actor, who himself is openly gay, also notes that the storyline twist also helped him release some of the frustration he has with people who don’t agree with his personal lifestyle, “The scene was awesome to shoot because everything I’ve ever wanted to say to certain protesters in real life was right there in my script—and I got to say it in a safe setting. Fish gets to yell at these people and be like, ‘What’s wrong with you? Look at yourselves! Look what you’re doing!’ And in the midst of yelling all that he says, ‘I’m gay!’ I don’t think he realizes he’s coming out on live television, he’s just so heated and in the moment.”

Evans also credits Youtube with helping raise awareness of Fish and Kyle’s (or Kish as they are affectionately referred to by fans) bumpy relationship. “It’s great that YouTube has been getting our story out there in a much larger way, especially with what’s going on in the world right now. It just blows my mind that we keep hearing about more and more gay bashings. We need to keep reaching people and never give up.” He also comments that how awkward it was to play the scenes where his father and mother (who is portrayed by Evans’ actual mom Lisa), “because my own real-life coming out story was 180 degrees from that.” Even so, he confesses that the parents of some of his gay friends have not been nearly as understanding as his own, telling their own children that they hated them.

“I’ve gotten letters from people who say they’re in the exact same situation with their parents and it’s so sad to keep hearing that,” he admits when about the type of response that both he and the show has received from Fish’s recent falling out with his mom and dad.

Speaking of Oliver’s conservative parents, Evans states that “Fish still hasn’t heard from his parents since he came out to them. Things weren’t left on the best of terms, so he suddenly has the realization, ‘Oh, my gosh, my parents were probably watching this and just saw me come out!’ If there’s any hope of reconciliation, this is probably going to ruin it. His dad was his hero for his whole life, and you don’t want to be shot down by your hero. That’s not ever going to go away.” However, he doesn’t foresee either of his parents returning to Llanview for a visit anytime in the near future, but admits that “you never know.” Even if George and Barbara Fish don’t return to visit their son, Evans hopes that the show will least have them at least call, write, or e-mail, “just so Fish isn’t left hanging.”

The actor goes on to tell Logan that “There’s a scene where one of his fellow cops says to the crowd after one of their chants, “Oh, that’s a good one! I like that! I wish I was over there with you!” These aren’t just random police officers, they’re Fish’s co-workers and they don’t all know [about him being gay].”

As for Kyle (Brett Claywell) and Nick Chavez getting “married” along with 24 other same-sex couples, look for Fish to get his man Kyle, who continues to have second thoughts about saying yes to Nick. Instead, it is Fish and Kyle who realize that they are the ones who belong together. It all takes place on Monday, November 2nd just as Kyle and Nick are about to be ‘wed.’ Meanwhile, Roxy tries to push them into taking part in the ceremony as well, but both men agree to take things slow. “The guys both realize they should probably go on a date first. After everything that’s gone on between them, there’s no way they’re about to put a ring on it just yet,” teases Evans. “But, yeah, they decide to be a couple and even that won’t be easy because something always comes up—no pun intended. Kyle is a med student on call, Fish is a cop on call, so it’ll be tough to schedule a relationship.” Some of those things that “come up” include Cristian and Layla unexpectedly returning to the apartment and Fish getting called away on police business to help investigate the case of a missing body.

Evans urges Kish fans to be patient and enjoy Kyle and Fish’s budding courtship, saying “It’ll be frustrating for the fans who’ve been waiting so long for them to get together but, eventually, they’ll get what they want. We gotta take it one step at a time. I hope we’re shattering [the notion] that gay guys can’t wait to get into bed. That’s a stereotype. They’ll be spending time together when they can. He comes over to Fish’s place for Thanksgiving. It’s all very, very sweet. It’ll be nice to see the relationship develop.”

And, in terms of the assumption that daytime viewers can only handle so much “gayness” on their television screens, Evans says that he doesn’t understand the criticism. “I read blogs where people say ‘I don’t need to watch this gay stuff on my television!’ I’m like ‘Are you blind?’ Are you not living in the same world I’m living in? Because gays are all over prime time. They’re all over the news with ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and the fight for equality. I hate to break it to you Midwest, but there are gay people all over the United States!”

Lastly Evans discusses his excitement over the fact his uncle, Mike Capuano, is the Democratic U.S. Representative serving the 8th Congressional District in Massachusetts, and is running for the U.S. Senate seat that was held by the late Ted Kennedy. “He is a huge, huge supporter of gay marriage and equal rights—that’s a big part of his campaign—and a lot of people are coming forward to back him. Barney Frank is his No. 1 booster. I’m going to be working with him over the next few months. It’s crazy how my worlds are colliding. Real life and my TV life are all tying together and that’s really pretty cool!”

To read the full interview, click here.

“One Life to Live” airs Weekdays on ABC. Weeknights on SOAPnet. Check local listings.

Tags: ABC, Barbara Fish, Barney Frank, Brett Claywell, Cristian, Democratic, Gay Marriage, George Fish, Kish, Kyle, Layla, Lisa Evans, Massachusetts, Michael Logan, Mike Capuano, Nicholas Rodriguez, Nick, Oliver Fish, OLTL, One Life to Live, Roxy, Scott Evans, SOAPnet, Ted Kennedy, TV Guide, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, Youtube

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