Days of Our Lives, commonly known as DOOL, is one of the most acclaimed American daytime soap operas with a large and dedicated audience. It has been running for over 50 years and has covered various intriguing storylines, including the topic of LGBT representation.
In 2011, DOOL introduced the characters of Will Horton and Sonny Kiriakis, becoming the first soap opera in American daytime television history to feature a same-sex storyline. The writers of the show have done an exceptional job in portraying the LGBTQ+ community, breaking stereotypes and educating the audience. Let’s take a deep dive into the characters of Will Horton and Sonny Kiriakis in DOOL.
The Characters: Will Horton and Sonny Kiriakis
Will Horton
Will Horton is the son of Sami Brady and Lucas Horton. The character was first introduced in 1995 as a small child and was later aged onto a teenager in 2007. The character went through several storylines, including a significant one when he shot and killed EJ DiMera. However, in 2011, DOOL introduced Will as a young gay character.
Initially, Will struggled with his sexuality and was afraid to come out to his family. However, after confiding in his grandma, Marlena Evans, he finally came out to his mom. This storyline was powerful, emotional, and highly praised for its realism and attention to detail. The emotional journey Will goes through is relatable to many LGBTQ+ viewers and reflects the challenges they face in coming out to their loved ones.
Later, Will has several romantic relationships, including his first love, Sonny Kiriakis. The couple gets married, and their romantic journey is a heartwarming representation of not only a same-sex relationship but any loving partnership.
Sonny Kiriakis
Sonny Kiriakis is introduced in 2011 as the adult son of Justin Kiriakis and Adrienne Johnson. Sonny is the heir of the affluent Kiriakis family. Initially, he’s shown as a confident and successful businessman running his coffee shop, Common Grounds. Later, he becomes an integral character, as he gets involved with Will Horton, and the two gradually fall in love and get married.
Sonny’s storyline is not as complex as Will’s. However, his representation is significant, particularly as a person of color. DOOL handles his character respectfully and makes a point to address the intersectionality of his experience as a Black and gay character.
The Representation of LGBTQ+ Community
DOOL is the prime example of how media can play an integral role in breaking stereotypes and educating the audience. The show’s creators have done an exceptional job portraying the LGBTQ+ community, without making it seem like it was written with an agenda.
Will and Sonny’s relationship is shown as romantic yet complex, just like any other heterosexual relationship. The storyline is relatable for anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation.
The show also touches upon various LGBTQ+ themes, such as discrimination, acceptance, and homophobia. Additionally, it positively portrays the impact of LGBTQ+ activism and serves as a tool in portraying the struggles that the community faces.
DOOL’s representation of the LGBTQ+ community doesn’t stop with Will and Sonny. It features several other characters that represent the LGBTQ+ community and is a good example of how media can use its platform to spread awareness and acceptance.
Conclusion
DOOL is one of the significant media landmarks when it comes to the representation of LGBTQ+ characters in soap operas. The show doesn’t shy away from portraying the community accurately, and it has done an excellent job highlighting the emotional struggles, relationship dynamics, and societal challenges that the LGBTQ+ community faces.
Will Horton, Sonny Kiriakis, and the other LGBTQ+ characters in DOOL have opened conversations and educated a broad audience. It is essential to give representation to underrepresented groups in popular media, and DOOL represents them positively. The show serves as an excellent example of how media can be inclusive and represent the LGBTQ+ community accurately.
FAQ
Is Sonny on Days of Our Lives really gay?
Yes, Sonny on Days of Our Lives is indeed a gay character. He was introduced in 2011 as the son of Justin and Adrienne, making him the show’s first regular character to be openly gay. The introduction of Sonny represented a departure from the typical representation of LGBTQ+ characters in soap operas, as he was portrayed as a fully-realized character with his own personality, desires, and conflicts, rather than just being defined by his sexual orientation.
Furthermore, over the years, Sonny’s relationships and romantic interests have been central to a number of storylines on Days of Our Lives. He has been involved in several high-profile romances, including his relationship with Will Horton, which was groundbreaking for the show in its portrayal of a same-sex relationship.
Sonny’s presence on Days of Our Lives has been significant in terms of representation and increasing visibility for the LGBTQ+ community on television. His character has helped to break down stereotypes and misconceptions about what it means to be gay, both within the show’s fictional world and in the wider cultural landscape. Sonny on Days of Our Lives has been an important and progressive representation of a gay character on daytime television.
Are Will and Sonny still together?
Will Horton and Sonny Kiriakis were a beloved couple on the popular soap opera “Days of Our Lives.” The two characters fell in love and had a tumultuous relationship, but ultimately ended up getting married on April 3, 2014 at the Kiriakis Mansion. The wedding was a grand affair that was attended by many of the residents of Salem.
After their marriage, Will and Sonny continued to navigate their relationship, facing challenges along the way. In September of 2015, Will was murdered by The Necktie Killer, causing much sadness and grief for the characters on the show as well as for fans.
While Will and Sonny are no longer together due to Will’s death, their love story remains a memorable part of “Days of Our Lives” history. The couple was groundbreaking in that they were portrayed as a loving, committed same-sex couple who faced the same challenges as any other couple. Their storyline helped to promote acceptance and understanding of the LGBTQ+ community and has been praised by viewers and critics alike.
Will and Sonny were married on the show “Days of Our Lives” but are no longer together due to Will’s tragic death. However, their love story remains an important part of the show’s history and has left a lasting impact on viewers.
Why did Will cheat on Sonny?
Cheating is a complicated affair and it is difficult to pinpoint specific reasons why someone might cheat on their partner. In the case of Will cheating on Sonny, there doesn’t seem to be any understandable reason for his infidelity. It seems that Will is a shallow, selfish person, who is more like his mother than he would ever admit.
While it might be true that things were a little rough between Will and Sonny, all married couples go through difficult times and that doesn’t necessarily justify cheating. Will didn’t even hesitate before betraying Sonny’s trust, indicating that he was not faithful and committed to his marriage.
It could be that Will was experiencing some personal dissatisfaction, lack of fulfillment or even low self-esteem which led to him seeking validation in the arms of another person. Alternatively, it could be that Will was simply bored with his marriage and was looking for some excitement or novelty.
Whatever the reason, cheating is never the right way to address problems in a relationship. Communication, trust, and commitment are fundamental to a successful marriage, and cheating undermines all three of these. Unfortunately, Sonny had to experience the pain of betrayal at the hands of someone who should have been her closest confidant and ally.
