“At a loss for words that would seem supportive” Don’t be silly man, constructive criticism is always supportive. If I have spinach in my teeth it’s supportive for my friends to tell me about it. It’s NOT supportive if they keep it a secret.

I keep going back and forth on the animation idea - that is also my favorite option, but as you point out it is time-consuming and I’m afraid I haven’t figured out an efficient way to make it happen. I haven’t thrown the idea out the window yet, but I’m starting to consider that maybe this story can exist in a different format from what I originally envisioned.

I’m using the format of television script because it’s the easiest way for me to structure and build the story that I want to tell. I’m not interested in actually broadcasting it through the media of television. Quite the opposite, really. As Robert points out in the comment below, I have referenced YouTube on more than one occasion as the perfect vehicle for broadcasting new art, new ideas, new forms of entertainment. It is my intention of presenting whatever format I come up with through the vehicle of the internet. This allows me total control over the content, keeps me from having to abide by “standards & practices,” offers the option for interactive components, and opens my audience up beyond the notion of “demographics,” rather to anyone with a decent Internet connection. Unlike the television industry, online publication does not put me at the mercy of corporate sponsorship, like so many shows that get cancelled before they have the opportunity to shine. It allows me to adhere to as much of the established format as I want to (because as viewers we are conditioned to 22, 44, or 90 minutes of screentime) or it allows me to depart/alter/reinvent the format when I want. Indeed, these are amazing times in which we live.

I am encouraged that you consider animation to still be a possibility.

As far as cultural references go I totally agree. Fortunately I find myself somewhat immersed in television programming (despite the fact that I have no television) and like to keep up-to-date on the way gay/lesbian relationships are depicted, not only in gay-themed shows, but also as a matter-of-fact in hetero-themed shows. For instance the lesbian relationship that popped up on “Buffy,” or the gay brother on “Brothers and Sisters.” I’ve also been impressed with the treatment of sexuality on the BBC show “Torchwood,” one of the few sci-fi themed shows I’ve seen that doesn’t constantly resort to female objectification and the ONLY show of any genre that I’ve seen that takes bisexuality for granted. I’m always turned off by the programs that address issues of homosexuality as one of their weekly themes.

But as you point out, it’s important to keep an eye on how the media treats this topic. They are redefining how our culture sees non-traditional expressions of sexuality, and I do not necessarily want to rehash old ideas. I also don’t want to be limited to the same guidelines that television programs follow to keep from offending their audience. Working with the Internet I don’t have to care about that. Has NBC featured two guys kissing yet? The self-imposed lines that network television refuses to cross are not the lines by which I want to abide, even subconsciously. As you suggest, I need to be aware of how the format I’ve chosen (television script) might be enhanced by occasional deviations from industry standards.