We started our Top 10 LGBT Youth series with Gia from 90210 and Eric from Gossip Girl. Now we move on to two of our favorite characters from Degrassi: The Next Generation.
Riley and Zane are hands down one of our favorite gay couples on television. Zane, played by Shannon Kook-Chin, is one of the cutest teens on television. His smile lights up the TV and makes us swoon every time. Confident and secure, Zane is never afraid to admit who he truly is and is not one for living in the shadows.
Riley, played by Argiris Karras, on the other hand has been in denial for years and has been hiding his homosexuality under his football uniform. He did not believe his sexuality would vibe well with his football persona and kept his relationship with Zane in the shadows.
What Riley’s promo for season 9 of Degrassi: The Next Generation, where he denies his sexual orientation, here:
Riley struggled with his homosexuality season after season. His friends Anya and Peter, who Riley mistakenly kissed thinking he was gay, encouraged him to come out but it was not until Zane came along that Riley had the courage to admit to himself and his classmates that he was gay. Zane refused to live in the closet with Riley and in the end Riley was forced to choose between continuing to live in denial or accepting who he is and who he loves. Riley chose the latter deciding that Zane was too good to give up. In the end Riley went from being a closeted gay teen to a kid who nominated himself and his boyfriend for homecoming.
What we love most about Riley and Zane is how much the couple has grown together. With Zane’s help Riley went from accepting homophobic bullying as the norm, excusing it and even participating in it to understanding the negative impact of such behavior and demanding an end to it on the football team. Zane also helped Riley accept who he is and be proud of it.
Riley and Zane have realistically portaryed what it is like to be a LGBT teenager in high school. They have had to overcome self-hatred and denial, bullying and relationship issues to get to where they are but they are a stronger couple because of it. That is why we love Riley and Zane and put them on our list of the Top 10 LGBT Youth on TV.
Watch our favorite Riley and Zane moments here:
