TL;DR: Days of Our Lives has stumbled, triumphed, and scandalized its way through queer storytelling — from Will Horton and Sonny Kiriakis’s groundbreaking wedding (and controversial tragedy) to Leo Stark and Javi Hernandez stepping up as foster dads to Baby Tesaro. Salem’s queer characters aren’t perfect, but they’re finally more than a plot device.
From Will & Sonny’s Wedding to Salem’s Growing Pains
Will Horton (Chandler Massey) and Sonny Kiriakis (Zach Tinker) changed daytime forever with their wedding — a groundbreaking moment that cemented them as one of soaps’ first major married gay couples. But this triumph came with heartbreak, including Will’s death in 2015 (later undone) that left fans furious at how quickly queer joy was undercut by tragedy. That trauma still lingers in fans’ memory.
Enter Leo Stark: Salem’s Schemer With a Heart
Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) has been Salem’s lovable rascal, equal parts schemer and survivor. He lied, conned, and blackmailed his way through town, but his redemption arc has been surprisingly tender. Now paired with Javi Hernandez (Al Calderon), Leo has been thrust into unexpected stability — especially since the two are caring for Baby Tesaro as foster dads. Fans joke he can’t even fold a fitted sheet, but here he is holding bottles at 3 a.m. Growth, Salem-style.
Javi Hernandez: The Quiet Force
Javi Hernandez has emerged as a stabilizing presence, balancing Leo’s chaos with compassion. As the cousin of Rafe and Gabi Hernandez, Javi brings legacy roots to the storyline while also representing a fresh generational shift. His role as a foster dad with Leo gives queer parenthood visibility in daytime — and fans are applauding.
Chanel Dupree: Salem’s Bisexual Groundbreaker
Chanel Dupree (Raven Bowens) has brought bisexual representation front and center. Her romances with Allie Horton and Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) highlighted love beyond labels, but many fans feel the writers still haven’t given Chanel a storyline as rich as her groundbreaking debut deserved. She risks becoming a background player when she should be a powerhouse.
From Closet Trauma to Complex Characters
In the past, queer arcs on soaps too often revolved around “closet trauma” or temporary experimentation. That history matters — but what makes today’s Days refreshing is how queerness is no longer treated as the story. Instead, queer characters now have stories: fatherhood, marriages, betrayals, heartbreaks, and schemes. They’re messy, flawed, and fully human — just like everyone else in Salem.
Why DAYS Fans Care Now
DAYS fans have rallied around these queer arcs not because they’re “representations,” but because they’re compelling television. Whether it’s the legacy of Will and Sonny, the chaos of Leo, the heart of Javi, or Chanel’s fluidity, Salem finally has queer characters who matter to the canvas. And that’s a long-overdue win.
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