<P> Michael Fairman, On - Air On - Soaps </P> <P> What sets Sonny's introduction apart from the introductions of other gay characters is "that he was comfortable, and out, and even his family was accepting of him" Smith said . He continued, "They just wanted to show that when you come out and you are with the people you trust and love--you can finally get out from under that rock, and just be who you are ." The openly gay Sonny slowly eases into canvas as he develops relationships with those he comes in contact with . Unlike most character introductions, Sonny is not immediately thrust into a romance . Already four months into his tenure, Smith insisted that he "legitimately" did not know who his love interest would be but he was excited because it was all people were talking about . Smith added that giving Sonny a love interest would make him much more "dimensional" as a character . "Everyone on the show has a boy or a girl, and I am like the fifth wheel" he joked . However, Smith came to appreciate the waiting period . "It was important for people to get to know Sonny as a person and not just as this gay character on the show, who is dating another gay character ." One consistent theme with Sonny is that he is very open about his sexuality . While his parents are worried about how others will react--particularly Sonny's great uncle Victor Kiriakis (John Aniston)--"Sonny is very comfortable . He'll tell anyone" Smith said . Smith explained that Sonny "just wants his friends and family to accept him for who he is ." Victor's support is something Sonny never questions because of how close they are . While said it would have been cool to do a coming - out story with Sonny he appreciated how comfortable Sonny is with being openly gay because "It showed that it's great to have a support system . It made it easier for him to come out ." Not only does Sonny's introduction make him the only representation of a gay character on daytime television at the time as All My Children's iconic lesbian character, Bianca Montgomery (Eden Riegel) made her final appearances when the soap went off the air in September 2011, he was also the first "official" gay character in Days of Our Lives's 47 - year history . </P> <P> Upon his arrival in 2011, Sonny's life seemed very easy going and Freddie Smith hinted that "At some point, there will be conflict in Sonny's story ." Meanwhile, his uncle Victor's only concern is how other people will react to his nephew . In the summer of 2012 during an interview with Outlook Media Smith revealed that Sonny would be involved in a bullying storyline. Smith previewed the storyline during and interview and said "it's told very well, and I think it's important to show storylines like that because it happens in real life all the time ." He insisted the importance of showing "how (bullying) affects people ." When Brendan Coughlin reprises his recurring role as Tad "T" Stevens in the summer of 2012--T and Sonny are already at odds . "He did not like Sonny because he is gay, he is a gay basher" Smith said of T. So when T returns to town and finds out his best friend Will Horton (Chandler Massey) has recently come out of the closet--T blames Sonny for it ." Sonny has already experienced this before and the incident with T "brings him back--he thought he was home free . (It's) disappointing to him . He was very bullet proof at first ." Smith explained that Sonny already "came to terms with who he is, and he thought all of this was in his past ." The ordeal kind of shocks him . Smith admitted to having his own experience being bullied but described it as "very mild ." However, he knew of others that had worse experiences and thought it was a good reason that the plot address the "huge issue ." For about two weeks, the series shows the emotional affects of the bullying from Sonny's point of view and how he works through those emotions . One particular scene shows Sonny being comforted by his father, Justin (Wally Kurth). "It turned out to be such a great scene" Smith remarked . He continued, "It's important to have family there under circumstances like that ." The storyline culminated with Sonny retaliating against his attacker Tad "T" Stevens (Brendan Coughlin). "I personally wouldn't go after someone like that" Smith said but he defended Sonny's actions by saying "our emotions run wild and we don't always think . We just react ." Smith praised his costar Brendan Coughlin for his portrayal of T. "I just react off of him . He really scares me and makes me feel like crap ." The storyline also afforded Smith with the opportunity to speak to congress about an anti-bullying campaign . </P> <P> Freddie Smith, Facebook </P>

Who plays sonny's dad on days of our lives