How cool is this: A popular soap actress (Crystal Chappell) whose show went off the air (”Guiding Light”) has chosen to revive her lesbian character (with a different name) in her own Web-based drama. For no pay. Her co-stars, writers and producers are also working mostly for free, as described in this New York Times article. Wow.

Ms. Chappell promises that her new character will kiss another woman within the first 30 seconds of the show. That’d be a record even for “True Blood.” (Inside joke there — the characters on that show are up for sex even during an apocalypse.) Point is: Crystal Chappell is really committing herself to getting lesbians good, honest representation in the media, a very laudable effort that I hope will succeed brilliantly.

I’m so impressed that Ms. Chappell has the gumption to do this, and the generosity of spirit to keep a lesbian character alive for her fans. I know an actor has a personal stake in supporting her own role, but Ms. Chappell has been hired for another soap  (“Days of Our Lives”) and presumably doesn’t need the extra work. Her actor husband has also been hired by “Days,” so money doesn’t seem to be an issue. Anyway, you can’t expect money from any Internet endeavor, we all know that.

Kudos to Crystal Chappell for reaching across the straight-gay line to support her lesbian fans. Kudos to an enterprising individual for trying something creative and new on the Web.

Filed under: Gay/Lesbian, Gender, Online, TV by Marc Breindel