Adamo Ruggiero B, Came Out as a Gay 2008

Contents:

• 'DEGRASSI' 'S ADAMO RUGGIERO SAYS PLAYG MAR HELPED HIM COME OUT, BUT SHOW FELL SHORT EXPLORG GAY ISSU
• DEGRASSI ACTOR REVEALS THAT HE'S GAY
• "DEGRASSI"'S ADAM RUGGIERO {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY MICHAEL JENSENJANUARY 17, 2008/5:20 PMBY MICHAEL JENSENJANUARY 17, 2008 / 5:20 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"\"DEGRASSI\"'S ADAM RUGGIERO OUT","DATEPUBLISHED":"2008-01-17T22:20:23.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2008-01-17T22:20:23.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"MICHAEL JENSEN","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ON WEDNDAY NIGHT, 21-YEAR-OLD ACTOR ADAMO RUGGIERO ME OUT AS A GAY MAN AN TERVIEW WH TANYA KIM OF CTV ENTERTAMENT MAGAZE ETALK. RUGGIERO IS BT KNOWN FOR PLAYG GAY TEEN MAR DEL ROSSI ON THE SUCCSFUL CANADIAN TEEN DRAMA DEGRASSI: THE NEXT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE TERVIEW, RUGGIERO TALKED ABOUT THE PARALLEL JOURNEY HE AND HIS DEGRASSI CHARACTER TOOK, TELLG KIM:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I WAS GROWG UP THE EXACT SAME TIME AS MY CHARACTER WAS GROWG UP AND HE WAS QUTNG THGS THAT I WAS QUTNG AND I WAS JT A KID. I WAS PLETELY PETRIFIED, AND YOU DON’T REALLY UNRSTAND AND YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE YOU F OR WHO YOU ARE, AND MY CHARACTER WAS ASKG THE EXACT SAME QUTNS BUT HE MOVED A LTLE B FASTER THAN I DID.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT WAS THE CHALLENGE OF LEARNG TO ACCEPT HIMSELF THAT PROMPTED RUGGIERO TO PUBLICLY E OUT: “ULTIMATELY I JT THOUGHT MAYBE THE REASON WHY THAT THE KD OF FEARS ARE PERPETUATED OF ‘I N’T E OUT, WHAT’S GOG TO HAPPEN TO MY REER?’ IS BEE THGS REALLY HAVEN’T CHANGED … AND I FEEL LIKE THE MORE WE HI THE MORE WE PERPETUATE .”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}UNTIL THIS NDID TERVIEW, RUGGIERO HAD CHOSEN NOT TO DISCS HIS SEXUAL INTY WH THE PUBLIC. IN AN TERVIEW FOR HE WAS ASKED ABOUT SPECULATN ABOUT HIS SEXUALY BY DEGRASSI FANS. HE RPOND, “ REGARDS TO THE GAY THG ... THAT'S THE NUMBER ONE QUTN BEE OBVLY PEOPLE ARE CUR. I SAY TO MYSELF, LET THE GAY KIDS THK I'M GAY AND LET THE STRAIGHT GIRLS THK I'M STRAIGHT.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RUGGIERO, WHO WAS BORN MISSISSGA, ONTAR 1986, HAS BEEN ACTG SCE THE YOUNG AGE OF 7. HE HAS APPEARED THEATRIL PRODUCTNS OF RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REER AND BYE-BYE BIRDIE. RUGGIERO ALSO APPEARED AN IMPROV EDY GAME SHOW, DON’T LICK THE PIG, AND A SKETCH EDY SHOW, SHOW CRASH, ON A YOUTH-ORIENTED BLE WORK CANADA BEFORE APPEARG ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2002, HE JOED THE ST OF DEGRASSI S SEND SEASON. MAR FORMED A CLOSE IENDSHIP WH ELLIE (STACEY FARBER), WHO BEME THE FIRST PERSON TO REALIZE THAT MAR IS GAY. ELLIE AGREED TO PRETEND TO BE MAR’S GIRLIEND FOR A WHILE TO HELP HIM HI HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN MAR BEGAN TO E OUT TO HIS IENDS DEGRASSI’S THIRD SEASON, STRAED HIS IENDSHIP WH SPNER (SHANE KIPPEL), WHO VANDALIZED MAR’S LOCKER BEFORE BEG FORCED TO NONT HIS HOMOPHOBIA. MAR ME OUT TO HIS MOTHER AFTER HIS RIVAL ALEX (DEANNA CASALUCE){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THREATENED TO OUT HIM TO THE WHOLE SCHOOL, AND TO HIS FATHER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TRYG TO HELP ANOTHER GAY TEEN. THE SCEN WHERE MAR ME OUT TO HIS PARENTS DIVIDUALLY EXEMPLIFIED THE SHOW'S FT HANDLG OF DIFFICULT EMOTNAL MOMENTS VOLVG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DEGRASSI TREATED MAR’S ROMANTIC LIFE NO DIFFERENTLY THAN THOSE OF HIS STRAIGHT CLASSMAT. HIS RELATNSHIP WH DYLAN (JOHN BREGAR) WAS A SOURCE FOR THE SAME KDS OF NFLICTS FOUND DEGRASSI’S HETEROSEXUAL RELATNSHIPS. THE TWO APPROACHED THE RELATNSHIP VERY DIFFERENTLY, WH MAR FEELG LONELY EASILY, AND DYLAN WANTG TO KEEP THE RELATNSHIP MORE SUAL. (AFTER A TYPILLY TUMULTUO TEEN RELATNSHIP THE TWO SPL WHEN DYLAN WAS RECED FOR A SWISS HOCKEY TEAM.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DYLAN (JOHN BREGAR) AND MAR (RUGGIERO) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATN IS A SP-OFF OF 1987’S DEGRASSI JUNR HIGH AND DEGRASSI HIGH SCHOOL, TOPIL TEEN DRAMAS THAT TACKLED ISSU SUCH AS PEER PRSURE, EATG DISORRS AND TEEN PREGNANCY. THE DRAMA IS THE MOST-WATCHED SHOW FOR BOTH CANADIAN BROADST WORK CTV AND FOR TEEN-ORIENTED USA BLE WORK THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS SEASON DEGRASSI ALSO BEME ONE OF THE FEW BLE PROGRAMS TO HAVE REPEATS SYNDITED NATNALLY, GIVG DAYTIME TV VIEWERS ADDNAL CHANC TO DISVER THE SHOW. IT HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL AWARDS CLUDG HONORS OM THE TELEVISN CRICS' ASSOCIATN, CANADA’S GEMI AWARDS, AND NICKELOON’S TEEN CHOICE AWARDS. IT WAS ALSO NOMATED FOR A GLAAD MEDIA AWARD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2006, PRAISED DEGRASSI FOR HAVG TELEVISN’S BT PORTRAYAL OF GAY TEENS. REARS AGREED 2007, NAMG MAR ONE OF THEIR TOP 25 GAY TV CHARACTERS, AND RUGGIERO'S URAGEO CISN TO E OUT PUBLICLY AS A GAY MAN WILL NO DOUBT ENAR BOTH THE ACTOR AND HIS CHARACTER TO MORE GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATN‘S ADAMO RUGGIERO: I’M GAY

'DEGRASSI' 'S ADAMO RUGGIERO SAYS PLAYG MAR HELPED HIM COME OUT, BUT SHOW FELL SHORT EXPLORG GAY ISSU

"I was a closeted gay boy, and I found myself on the show, and my life went om zero to 100, " Ruggiero relled. Though the show was known to ver a variety of tough subjects — cludg teen pregnancy, rape, abortn, and school shootgs — Ruggiero believ that fell short explorg gay culture.

"We missed opportuni to talk about gay sex, and queer sex and queer bodi, " he said. But his relatnships, there was nothg about the dynamics of gay sex and safe sex and the sexual culture as a young gay man.

DEGRASSI ACTOR REVEALS THAT HE'S GAY

21-year old Adamo Ruggiero first beme a gay in at age 16. Too bad the Degrassi: The Next Generatn actor hadn’t yet e to terms wh his own homosexualy. Takg on the gay role veloped me to a role mol.

AB: I image there mt have been a lot of gnive dissonance for you when you hadn’t e out but you were playg Mar, who is gay.

Mississga actor Adamo Ruggiero, who plays a gay teen on TV's. Degrassi: The Next Generatn, is gay himself and he's g out a big way next week: as the ver boy for fab: The Gay Scene Magaze, published biweekly out of edor Pl Gallant nfirmed yterday that Ruggiero, 21, will be featured on the ver of the perdil's Jan.

"DEGRASSI"'S ADAM RUGGIERO {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY MICHAEL JENSENJANUARY 17, 2008/5:20 PMBY MICHAEL JENSENJANUARY 17, 2008 / 5:20 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"\"DEGRASSI\"'S ADAM RUGGIERO OUT","DATEPUBLISHED":"2008-01-17T22:20:23.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2008-01-17T22:20:23.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"MICHAEL JENSEN","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ON WEDNDAY NIGHT, 21-YEAR-OLD ACTOR ADAMO RUGGIERO ME OUT AS A GAY MAN AN TERVIEW WH TANYA KIM OF CTV ENTERTAMENT MAGAZE ETALK. RUGGIERO IS BT KNOWN FOR PLAYG GAY TEEN MAR DEL ROSSI ON THE SUCCSFUL CANADIAN TEEN DRAMA DEGRASSI: THE NEXT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE TERVIEW, RUGGIERO TALKED ABOUT THE PARALLEL JOURNEY HE AND HIS DEGRASSI CHARACTER TOOK, TELLG KIM:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I WAS GROWG UP THE EXACT SAME TIME AS MY CHARACTER WAS GROWG UP AND HE WAS QUTNG THGS THAT I WAS QUTNG AND I WAS JT A KID. I WAS PLETELY PETRIFIED, AND YOU DON’T REALLY UNRSTAND AND YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE YOU F OR WHO YOU ARE, AND MY CHARACTER WAS ASKG THE EXACT SAME QUTNS BUT HE MOVED A LTLE B FASTER THAN I DID.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT WAS THE CHALLENGE OF LEARNG TO ACCEPT HIMSELF THAT PROMPTED RUGGIERO TO PUBLICLY E OUT: “ULTIMATELY I JT THOUGHT MAYBE THE REASON WHY THAT THE KD OF FEARS ARE PERPETUATED OF ‘I N’T E OUT, WHAT’S GOG TO HAPPEN TO MY REER?’ IS BEE THGS REALLY HAVEN’T CHANGED … AND I FEEL LIKE THE MORE WE HI THE MORE WE PERPETUATE .”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}UNTIL THIS NDID TERVIEW, RUGGIERO HAD CHOSEN NOT TO DISCS HIS SEXUAL INTY WH THE PUBLIC. IN AN TERVIEW FOR HE WAS ASKED ABOUT SPECULATN ABOUT HIS SEXUALY BY DEGRASSI FANS. HE RPOND, “ REGARDS TO THE GAY THG ... THAT'S THE NUMBER ONE QUTN BEE OBVLY PEOPLE ARE CUR. I SAY TO MYSELF, LET THE GAY KIDS THK I'M GAY AND LET THE STRAIGHT GIRLS THK I'M STRAIGHT.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RUGGIERO, WHO WAS BORN MISSISSGA, ONTAR 1986, HAS BEEN ACTG SCE THE YOUNG AGE OF 7. HE HAS APPEARED THEATRIL PRODUCTNS OF RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REER AND BYE-BYE BIRDIE. RUGGIERO ALSO APPEARED AN IMPROV EDY GAME SHOW, DON’T LICK THE PIG, AND A SKETCH EDY SHOW, SHOW CRASH, ON A YOUTH-ORIENTED BLE WORK CANADA BEFORE APPEARG ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2002, HE JOED THE ST OF DEGRASSI S SEND SEASON. MAR FORMED A CLOSE IENDSHIP WH ELLIE (STACEY FARBER), WHO BEME THE FIRST PERSON TO REALIZE THAT MAR IS GAY. ELLIE AGREED TO PRETEND TO BE MAR’S GIRLIEND FOR A WHILE TO HELP HIM HI HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN MAR BEGAN TO E OUT TO HIS IENDS DEGRASSI’S THIRD SEASON, STRAED HIS IENDSHIP WH SPNER (SHANE KIPPEL), WHO VANDALIZED MAR’S LOCKER BEFORE BEG FORCED TO NONT HIS HOMOPHOBIA. MAR ME OUT TO HIS MOTHER AFTER HIS RIVAL ALEX (DEANNA CASALUCE){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THREATENED TO OUT HIM TO THE WHOLE SCHOOL, AND TO HIS FATHER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TRYG TO HELP ANOTHER GAY TEEN. THE SCEN WHERE MAR ME OUT TO HIS PARENTS DIVIDUALLY EXEMPLIFIED THE SHOW'S FT HANDLG OF DIFFICULT EMOTNAL MOMENTS VOLVG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DEGRASSI TREATED MAR’S ROMANTIC LIFE NO DIFFERENTLY THAN THOSE OF HIS STRAIGHT CLASSMAT. HIS RELATNSHIP WH DYLAN (JOHN BREGAR) WAS A SOURCE FOR THE SAME KDS OF NFLICTS FOUND DEGRASSI’S HETEROSEXUAL RELATNSHIPS. THE TWO APPROACHED THE RELATNSHIP VERY DIFFERENTLY, WH MAR FEELG LONELY EASILY, AND DYLAN WANTG TO KEEP THE RELATNSHIP MORE SUAL. (AFTER A TYPILLY TUMULTUO TEEN RELATNSHIP THE TWO SPL WHEN DYLAN WAS RECED FOR A SWISS HOCKEY TEAM.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DYLAN (JOHN BREGAR) AND MAR (RUGGIERO) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATN IS A SP-OFF OF 1987’S DEGRASSI JUNR HIGH AND DEGRASSI HIGH SCHOOL, TOPIL TEEN DRAMAS THAT TACKLED ISSU SUCH AS PEER PRSURE, EATG DISORRS AND TEEN PREGNANCY. THE DRAMA IS THE MOST-WATCHED SHOW FOR BOTH CANADIAN BROADST WORK CTV AND FOR TEEN-ORIENTED USA BLE WORK THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS SEASON DEGRASSI ALSO BEME ONE OF THE FEW BLE PROGRAMS TO HAVE REPEATS SYNDITED NATNALLY, GIVG DAYTIME TV VIEWERS ADDNAL CHANC TO DISVER THE SHOW. IT HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL AWARDS CLUDG HONORS OM THE TELEVISN CRICS' ASSOCIATN, CANADA’S GEMI AWARDS, AND NICKELOON’S TEEN CHOICE AWARDS. IT WAS ALSO NOMATED FOR A GLAAD MEDIA AWARD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2006, PRAISED DEGRASSI FOR HAVG TELEVISN’S BT PORTRAYAL OF GAY TEENS. REARS AGREED 2007, NAMG MAR ONE OF THEIR TOP 25 GAY TV CHARACTERS, AND RUGGIERO'S URAGEO CISN TO E OUT PUBLICLY AS A GAY MAN WILL NO DOUBT ENAR BOTH THE ACTOR AND HIS CHARACTER TO MORE GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Degrassi st 2002 when he was 14, says the article that he didn't know his character, Mar, "was a gay role until I signed on. He is openly gay and has been a relatnship wh a handsome boyiend. His character on the show was a gay teenager who stggl wh qutns wh his sexualy.

In 2009, he portrayed Nathan Stanford the gay-themed film, Make the Yuleti Gay, alongsi Keh Jordan and Kelly Keaton.

Came Out As a Gay. Movg towards the personal life of Adamo Ruggiero, as we mentned earlier, the 33-year-old actor is openly gay. He me out as gay durg an terview January 2008.

DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATN‘S ADAMO RUGGIERO: I’M GAY

He tole the outlet at the time, "I e om a tradnal Italian fay but they aren't so tradnal that me beg gay was a al breaker. In Make the Yuleti Gay, now available on DVD, the Canadian actor plays Nathan, a llege stunt who surpris his boyiend, Olaf Gunn Gunnunrson (Keh Jordan), at his parents hoe over Christmas break. What are the differenc you see the gay culture there pared to here the Stat?

It has the same tone and culture, at least the Village [the gay strip Toronto].

Toronto is also a unique place right now wh the gay muny bee seems to be expandg.

In Make the Yuleti Gay you play Nathan Stanford. This is your send role as a gay character.

I want them to know that s okay to be gay and that you n be succsful. I would wele any rol that e my way, but right now Im A-OK wh havg a gay path.

Were you ncerned about playg a gay character then? I didnt know that he was gog to be gay. Then as I started to realize that my character was gay, really was a strsful time.

When did you know you were gay?

I dont thk I wouldve put the word "gay" to then bee I was too young, but I never did what the other guys did.

I didnt thk of terms of beg gay or straight, but I did feel separated. It wasnt until I was 13 that I knew what meant to be gay or straight.

I always tell her, You are most likely the reason Im gay.

How did your olr brother rpond to you beg gay?

Of urse there are stereotyp wh the gay muny, but we also have them about straight people, too. We have to have people like Adam Lambert who show that s OK to be gay and to be yourself. I know s such a clich gay thg to say, but Im A-OK wh .

You said youd like to play more gay characters the future. What kd of gay characters would you like to explore?

I want to play a character who stggl wh issu outsi of beg gay. My straight iends go through the same kds of thgs that gay people my age do. The two Pri episos I did on Make the Yuleti Gay on Facebook and get your own py of the DVD at a letter to the edor about this article.

He also starred as Nathan the Amerin romantic edy movie, Make the Yuleti Gay 2009.

Dpe datg, Alamo Ruggiero me out as an openly gay January of 2008, sayg, “I e om a tradnal Italian fay but aren’t so tradnal that me beg gay was a al-breaker.

BgraphyAwardsTriviaActorAddnal CrewSoundtrackPlay trailer2:06Make the Yuleti Gay (2009)Born June 9th 1986 Toronto, Adamo Ruggiero is a.

Gay (Feature, 2009), The Neverendg Story (Play, 2011) and The Next.