As Hank's story unfolds, the character has had to explain his sexual preference to many Oakdale citizens, so "going to confession," is the norm. Obviously, the powers-that-be at ATWT wanted the audience to know just who Hank really is, and their efforts seem to be paying off.

According to Brian, viewer reaction to Hank has been positive. Gay men have written to thank him for presenting an excellent on-camera role model. Some letters won't mention anything specific but think "it's" great. Brian grins and reports that a guy from out West wrote, "It was a real shock when I found out that Hank was queer. I guess it's OK. I still like you any way. Of course, mama and grandma don't think queers should be on soap operas."

Portraying a newcomer who doesn't quite fit in is something to which Brian can relate. When the Starcher family returned to Bergenfield, New Jersey after living in a Chicago suburb, it was a tough adjustment for ten-year old Brian. "I was different. First of all, the way I talked; I didn't have a New York accent. And, all the kids were wearing bell bottoms and sneakers. I was wearing straight-leg slacks and square-toed shoes — and I wore glasses with a little strap on the back. I was an awkward kid, very shy and emotional. I grew up real tall and skinny. I used to get ranked a lot," Brian re members with a laugh — and a wince.

Starcher also had to cope with two other problems. As the middle child, he grew up in the shadow of his eldest brother, who is now a paleontologist. "He's brillant, one of those people who knows the answers to literally every question on JEOPARDY. He read the encyclopedia for kicks." Brian's dilemma was complicated by the fact that he had dyslexia, a learning disorder. At the time, his condition was undiagnosed. Dyslexia impairs a person's ability to read. Although cases vary in severity, a person with dyslexia will often mix up the order of letters and/or numbers.

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