There have been plenty of gay characters on television. But when Noah Mayer kissed Luke Snyder on As the World Turns on August 17, 2007, history was made. The kiss, which you can watch here, was the beginning of a romance like none that had come before it on daytime television--or, really, anywhere on American television.

But, while the love story has played out quite sweetly since--with, of course, the usual soap opera twists and turns--fans have noticed two troubling trends for Luke and Noah. First, they're not on very often; some weeks they only appear once for a few minutes. Second, when they are on, they appear to be prohibited from showing the same degree of physical affection as other couples. The first kiss in August was followed by a second kiss in late September; a third kiss, which would have aired in early October, was cut. And when they finally kissed again on December 20th, the camera panned to the mistletoe above them. Which is why a lot of folks are writing to the producers to ask for more screen time and more affection.

Even as the kissing and the screen time have been kept to a minimum, though, the story has earned tons of favorable press and oodles of critical praise, including:

Daytime Confidential: Top 10 Couples of 2007
#1 Luke & Noah (As the World Turns)

Daytime Confidential: Top 10 Storylines of 2007
#3 Luke & Noah, daytime's first gay couple (As the World Turns)

Daytime Confidential: Top 10 Actors of 2007
#1 Van Hansis (Luke on As the World Turns)

Soap Opera Digest
Best Triangle of 2007 (Noah/Luke/Maddie)

AfterElton 2007 Visibility Awards:
Best Gay Couple, Best Same-Sex Kiss (tie)

TV Guide Canada: Soaps of the Year
VALEDICTORIANS
Van Hansis and Jake Silbermann (Luke Snyder and Noah Mayer, ATWT)
"For courage, truth, commitment, and rising above sloppy writing. You guys are history, whatever happens."

TV Guide Canada: Soap Power 2007: The 15 Most Influential Players in Daytime!
11. VAN HANSIS and JAKE SILBERMANN

TV Guide Canada: Soaps' best super-couples
As the World Turns' Noah Mayer and Luke Snyder

The Year in Soaps:
Biggest Storylines, Luke and Noah

AfterElton Top 25 Gay Characters of All-Time
Noah Mayer #16
Luke Snyder #6

Shrine to the Soap Hunks: The 100 Most Memorable Moments in Soap History
#22 Luke & Noah Kiss As the World Turns 2007

Entertainment Weekly: Landmark Moments in Gay Hollywood
Luke and Noah's first kiss is the most recent moment on the list.

SoapCentral
As the World Turns, best story of 2007: Luke Finds Love with Noah

SoaptownUSA
As the World Turns, best couple of 2007: Noah and Luke

We Love Soaps
Best Storyline of 2007: The budding romance of Luke and Noah
Best Episodes of 2007: #8, Aug. 17 As the World Turns, when Luke and Noah kiss

SoapTalk Awards
Outstanding Younger Actor 2007: Van Hansis
Favorite Newcomer 2007: Jake Silbermann
Favorite Storyline 2007: Luke and Noah romance