GenQ - For the not so straight individual

Although many soap operas are not strangers to exploring the boundaries of life and human behaviour, one American soap drama is about to make what is believed to be a television first.

All My Children is about to feature a transgender character and possibly profile her transition from being a man to becoming a woman. Jeffrey Carlson plays Zarf, a rock star, who after kissing the shows lesbian character, Bianca, begins to question his true feelings towards women and himself, and why he fell in love with a lesbian.

The closest a soap opera has come to this situation before is a character currently featured in The L Word who is changing from a woman to be a man. Transgender characters aren't an obscurity in movies and television, but those who have been featured before have been post-surgical.

Producers for All My Children have consulted GLAAD in shaping the character of Zarf, as well as some transgenders, and are aware they are working with an extremely emotional and relevant part of life. Carlson is feeling the pressure of representing the entire transgender community, but he says of his character Zarf "I hope that she finds some peace."

All My Children is currently being shown on the ABC network in the United States.