‘ATWT’ fans claim bias against gays

It all started last Christmas, when Luke and Noah, the young gay couple on “As the World Turns,” were about to kiss. Though fans had seen that before, this time the camera panned up to the mistletoe.

Over the next few months, while heterosexual couples were kissing, “Nuke” (as fans call the couple) were restricted to holding hands, playing with one another’s neck scarves and sharing meaningful looks.

The last straw apparently arrived on Valentine’s Day, when every other couple but Nuke shared a kiss. They hugged instead.

So online fans have launched a nationwide media blitz to bring attention to the show, which has been twice nominated for an award from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation

“Presenting a gay couple on television only to relegate them to insulting hugs and slaps on the back is the 21st-century version of putting African-Americans on the back of the bus,” wrote one disgruntled fan named Tony.

GLAAD media spokesman Damon Romine agreed: “While tremendous strides have been made on soaps, it’s clear that we’re not at a place where gay and transgender people are treated the same on daytime as they are on prime-time or cable.”

Jeannie Tharrington, a spokeswoman for Procter & Gamble Productions, said the “Nuke” story has been unfolding in a slow manner to keep interest alive.

“That’s the thing with soap operas,” she said. “They’re always trying to keep people wanting more.”