Corrie stars "Take Action Together" in anti-homophobic bullying week

There's been a lot more media attention recently about the bullying that gay kids experience. Some of it is so severe that these young people even attempt suicide, some succeeding. Coronation Street currently has three gay characters, Sean Tully and two teens, Sophie and Sian and the teens are now experiencing some negative feedback from their church pastor and some other of their friends.

This week is Anti-Homophobic Bullying week in the UK and all three actors are fully supporting the Exceeding Expectations project in Manchester schools. Both girls, Brooke Vincent and Sascha Parkinson, have learned a lot about how it is for gay teens while Antony Cotton, who plays Sean, (both the actor and character are gay, read his story here.) says "No child, no human being is ever born to hate gay people." Exceeding Expectations hopes to re-educate people, and they are going to be in Manchester schools with workshops, a play, staff training and lots of resources.

On a related note, a teacher in the US was suspended after disciplining a student for their anti-gay attitudes. In a school board meeting, a young gay student defended him and told how this teacher's support is inspiring to the gay students.

Salford-made Horror film features in Corrie

Here's an interesting little tidbit discovered in the newsfeeds today. This Friday, we'll see our intrepid teens watching a scary movie. Nothing unusual there. But the movie they're watching, called Splintered, hasn't been released yet in the U.K. (coming in July) The company that makes the film, Not A Number, is a Salford based production company and they do a Grimmfest horror film festival. They were asked if they had anything that could be used on the show and this was a way of giving viewers a sneak preview. The movie, Splintered, is about coming to terms with your sexuality and features a character called Sophie. Hmm... ring any bells? Sounds like it will dovetail nicely with Our Sophie's upcoming storyline. Splintered, advertised as "The mind of a deranged killer in the body of a wild beast", will also be featured in the Salford Film Festival this summer.

But if that's all just a little too "grimm" for you, then have a look here where there are glam pics of Brooke Vincent and Sasha Parkinson and a few other Corrie stars out on the town to celebrate Sasha's 18th birthday.