The cast and producers of locally shot Chicago Fire and Chicago PD joined Executive Producer Dick Wolf at the Chicago Museum of Broadcast Communications Feb. 19 for a panel discussion in front of a sold out audience of enthusiastic fans.[Photo spread at the link www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/photospreadthumbs.php .]
Now in its second season on NBC, Chicago Fire includes an openly lesbian paramedic played by Lauren German. Earlier this month, German's co-star Monica Raymund publicly came out as bisexual during a series of tweets.
Before the event, German told Windy City Times that portraying the character of Leslie Shay was no challenge. "It's been great," she laughed. "I think love is just love. I was lucky to be raised with open-minded parents and friends and there's no stigma or walls up for me."
German hoped that, down the road, her character would take advantage of marriage equality in Illinois: "I think that's progressive and would be applauded!"
Executive Producer Danielle Gelber explained that German's role came about when the show's co-creators, Michael Brandt and Derek Haas, immersed themselves in a real firehouse. "They met a woman who was gay and who was an EMT," she said. "They got inspired by her. They thought she was just so matter-of-fact, so cool and so completely devoted to the job, and what a great opportunity it was to tell a very grounded, real story about someone who 'oh, by the way, she's gay.' It's not like a huge headline. She's not being hit on by her male cohorts trying to turn her straight or any of that nonsense, it's just very accepted."
Wolf agreed. "I just thought she should be part of the mix and reflects what goes on in Chicago," he said.
Gelber said that the Chicago Fire audience has responded well to the character. "People love her really solid friendship with [Gabriela] Dawson, her work partner. They are keyed into their genuine relationship."
Raymund—who portrays Dawson—said she had no comment about coming out. "Everything I've tweeted is my comment," she said. "I have a very supportive cast and family."
However she hopes lesbian characters like Shay will continue to be realistically depicted on television. "Any demographic needs to be represented fully and accurately on any show," she said. "Having Shay represent the LGBT community on our show is fantastic. [Lauren] is doing an amazing job and is supportive of the community too. "
She added that being in Illinois when marriage equality passed was exciting. "It's so good to be in a state when you get to see the law turn over and be a part of that celebration. I'm really proud of my generation. I think they are the most progressive, open-minded and tolerant. They are opening doors and teaching past generations how to live in peace."
Raymund said that she thinks equality nationwide is part of the evolutionary process. "Eventually we'll get there. Not as quickly as I would like, but I have faith in my generation and the generations to come."
The actress also had a message to those who maintain that having openly gay characters on television amounts to promotion of an unacceptable lifestyle. "I say, 'Fuck them,'" she said. "Who cares what they think? All we can do is focus on what we believe is true and what we believe is right and if they want to be miserable, intolerant and uneducated, that's not really our problem."
