‘School of Rock’s’ Billy Wr About Beg Labeled “The Gay Kid” – The Hollywood Reporter

gay kid from school of rock

"I was like, 'I want to hear the gay versn of the stuff that I listened to when I was a kid,'" the sger-songwrer, who played Billy "Fancy Pants" School of Rock, tells PEOPLE

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CHILD STAR STGGLED TO E OUT AFTER PLAYG ‘THE GAY KID’ ‘SCHOOL OF ROCK’

Ahead of the film's 15-year anniversary this fall, Brian Falduto opens up about growg up beg viewed as "a young gay figurehead" and how he's fally found peace wh that. * gay kid from school of rock *

Former child actor Brian Falduto says that he wasn’t able to e out until his senr year of llege bee of the stggl he faced after beg dubbed “the gay kid” om “School of Rock. “I was so much nial [about my sexualy growg up], ” he said on the “Cooper and Anthony Show, ” “Thk about : I was the fifth gra when this movie me out and I was lled gay, and then someone told me that’s not ol, so I was jt like, ‘Oh, ok, then I’m not gay’. “So I was nyg before I even had a notn of what [beg gay] was, ” he told rad hosts Cooper Lawrence and Anthony Michaels.

'SCHOOL OF ROCK' ACTOR BRIAN FALDUTO WAS HOMOPHOBIC TOWARD HIMSELF AFTER PLAYG 'THE GAY KID'

Two s after portrayg "the gay kid" the Jack Black-starrg edy, Falduto is embracg his sexualy and preparg to release his but EP, 'Gay Country'" emprop="scriptn * gay kid from school of rock *

Beg known as “the gay kid” om “School of Rock” stopped Brian Falduto om g out for years. “So by the time I realized I was potentially gay, I was already homophobic towards myself, sentially, ” Falduto, who is now an actor, filmmaker, mician and life ach said.

‘SCHOOL OF ROCK’S’ BILLY WR ABOUT BEG LABELED “THE GAY KID”

In a 2018 say, Falduto wrote that playg Billy led him to be lled the "gay kid om 'School of Rock'. Years later, durg his senr year of llege, he me out as gay. "This movie me out and I got lled 'gay' and then someone told me that's not ol so I jt was like 'Oh OK I'm not gay.

No, but uld be former child actor said he was receivg negative msag surroundg gayns so often that his nial grew before he even unrstood what meant to be homosexual or queer. "By the time I realized I was potentially gay, I was already homophobic toward myself, " he said. "In llege I met a bunch of gay people and I was like 'this is awome and they're great but this isn't an optn for me.

AFTER PLAYG THE GAY KID SCHOOL OF ROCK, AN ACTOR ADJTS TO LIFE OFF CAMERA

"I was nyg before I even had a notn of what [beg gay] was, " School of Rock actor Brian Falduto said of playg "the gay kid" the 2003 movie. The former child actor, 29, recently opened up about how playg "the gay kid" the 2003 movie ma difficult for him to e to terms wh his own sexualy.

"Thk about : I was the fifth gra when this movie me out and I was lled gay, and then someone told me that's not ol, " Falduto ntued.

"So I was jt like, 'Oh okay, then I'm not gay.

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE GAY KID SCHOOL OF ROCK

"I was nyg before I even had a notn of what [beg gay] was, " Falduto reunted. "So by the time I realized I was potentially gay, I was already homophobic towards myself, sentially. Brian Falduto, an actor and mician bt known for playg Billy (or “Fancy Pants”) the Jack Black mil film School of Rock, opens up about his experience growg up as “the gay kid” om the film an emotnal say for The Advote.

Sayg that he’s now “OK wh , ” he explas that, bee of his role the film, which me out 15 years ago October, he was labeled as “gay” early on. He explas that, at the time, “there also weren’t seasons of The Voice like the current one where sexually diverse and genr-fluid talents are reprented or openly gay Olympic figure skaters like Adam Rippon.

” And, he says, “The add element of beg a young gay figurehead when I didn’t have any personal role mols to pend on, well, plited thgs, to say the least.

SCHOOL OF ROCK STAR BRIAN FALDUTO REFLECTS ON PRSURE OF BEG A ''YOUNG GAY FIGUREHEAD''

The film is makg history as the first mastream stud movie to feature a gay teen romance. Nearly 15 years later, I am still the "gay kid om School of Rock, " but for the first time ever, I'm OK wh .

BRIAN FALDUTO TALKS MOVG BEYOND 'SCHOOL OF ROCK' FAME AND MAKG UNABASHEDLY 'GAY COUNTRY' MIC

Believe or not, a private Catholic school suburban New Jersey, was not ol to be labeled gay.

Not only was unol, beg lled gay was meant to be sultg. Bee of my role the film (as well as the way I rried myself, lbi-hont), I was labeled gay. There also weren't seasons of The Voice like the current one where sexually diverse and genr-fluid talents are reprented or openly gay Olympic figure skaters like Adam Rippon.

I had shut down the ia that I uld be gay so early on my life that I eventually believed I wasn't. The add element of beg a young gay figurehead when I didn't have any personal role mols to pend on, well, plited thgs, to say the least.

HOW "SCHOOL OF ROCK" BRAWASHED BRIAN "THE GAY KID" FALDUTO"I'D NEVER BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNY TO BLEND ," SAYS THE FORMER CHILD {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;}CELEBRIBY MICHAEL MTOAUGT 12, 2019/12:04 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:688PX;WIDTH:1200PX;}PARAMOUNTBY MICHAEL MTOAUGT 12, 2019 / 12:04 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"HOW \"SCHOOL OF ROCK\" BRAWASHED BRIAN \"THE GAY KID\" FALDUTO","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2019-08-12T16:04:07.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2019-08-12T16:04:07.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","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 MTO","KEYWORDS":"MTO UNFILTERED","ARTICLESECTN":"CELEBRI"}{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;}PICTURED ABOVE: BRIAN FALDUTO AS BILLY SCHOOL OF {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;}THE 2003 MOVIE H SCHOOL OF ROCK HAD JACK BLACK AS AN UNORTHODOX SUBSTUTE TEACHER WHO TURNS HIS KIDS TO ROCK GODS. ONE OF THOSE YOUNG ROCKERS WAS BILLY, WHO WAS GREAT WH A SEQU WAND AND LOVED LIZA MNELLI. BILLY WAS ORIGALLY TEND TO BE A NERD, BUT 11-YEAR-OLD BRIAN FALDUTO PULLED OFF SUCH A GREAT DN THAT THE CREATORS REWROTE THE CHARACTER AND MA HIM A FLAMBOYANT ASPIRG STYLIST. THAT’S ALL GREAT, EXCEPT THAT ONCE THE FILM ME OUT, BRIAN WAS BULLIED AS "THE GAY KID OM SCHOOL OF ROCK." THAT NFED BRIAN, WHO STUDLY TRIED TO AVOID ATTENTN AS A RULT AND ALSO WORKED AT TRYG TO REVENT HIMSELF TO GET AWAY OM THAT TAG.JENNY ANRSON/GETTY IMAGNEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 06: BRIAN FALDUTO ATTENDS "SCHOOL OF ROCK" BROADWAY OPENG NIGHT AT HARD ROCK CAFE NEW YORK ON DECEMBER 6, 2015 NEW YORK CY. (PHOTO BY JENNY ANRSON/GETTY IMAG){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;}BRIAN FALDUTO ATTENDS OPENG NIGHT OF SCHOOL OF ROCK ON BROADWAY, {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;}YEARS LATER, HE FELT MORE FORTABLE ABOUT HIS INTY AND ME OUT TO LOVED ON. HE IS NOW A LIFE ACH, ADDN TO BEG A SGER-SONGWRER AND ACTOR. I SPOKE WH HIM FOR MORE SIGHT TO HIS EXTRAORDARY {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;}HELLO, BRIAN. WHAT WAS THE SCHOOL OF ROCK AFTERMATH FOR YOU?{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 A TOUGH UPLE OF YEARS. I WAS LABELED SOMETHG AND I DIDN’T UNRSTAND WHAT MEANT. MY CHARACTER HAD CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WH THE LGBTQ MUNY. I WAS LLED GAY. IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, THAT WASN’T A OL THG TO BE {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;}DID YOU SUFFER PHYSIL ATTACKS?{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;}NO. I’VE BLOCKED A LOT OF [THE BULLYG] OUT. WE DO THAT, PSYCHOLOGILLY. WE TEND TO BLOCK OUT THGS WE DON’T WANT TO REMEMBER. BUT ALL PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW IS I WENT TO BED EVERY NIGHT WISHG THE UNIVERSE OR GOD WOULD MAKE ME ANYTHG OTHER THAN WHAT I {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;}AT THE TIME, DID YOU SPEAK WH YOUR PARENTS ABOUT WHAT YOU WERE GOG THROUGH?{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;}YEAH, THEY’VE ALWAYS BEEN SUPER SUPPORTIVE AND KD. THEY KNEW WAS GONNA BE DIFFICULT FOR ME. A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WENT THROUGH WHAT I WENT THROUGH WOULDN’T HAVE NECSARILY E OUT AT THE OTHER END. THERE’S A TERRIBLE ISSUE WH SUICI THIS MUNY. I HAD MY DARK MOMENTS, BUT I HAD A LOVG SUPPORT. THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT AREN’T ALT THE SAME RDS. I ALWAYS KNEW I WAS LOVED. I ALWAYS FELT, WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO EARN THAT LOVE?{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;}YOU HAVE SAID THAT, AS A RULT OF THE BULLYG, YOU RAN AWAY OM WHO YOU WERE. IN WHAT WAY?{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 BASILLY SHUT DOWN EVERYTHG. I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW WHAT BEG GAY MEANT. BY THE TIME I REALIZED I POTENTIALLY WAS GAY, I WAS ALREADY HOMOPHOBIC—BEE OF THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WH AND NOT WANTG TO BE PIGEONHOLED. I HAD A LOT OF RERVATNS ABOUT . IT FELT LIKE GAME PLAYG. EVERY MOVE I MA HAD NO THENTICY, BUT WAS JT ME TRYG TO SURVIVE AND TRYG TO MAKE THE BT MOVE FOR MYSELF SO PEOPLE WOULD ACCEPT ME FOR WHO I AM. I'D NEVER BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNY TO BLEND {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;}AND THEN, WHEN YOU REALIZED YOU WERE GAY, THGS GOT REALLY PLITED, RIGHT?{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;}NOT REALLY. I DIDN’T REALIZE I WAS GAY UNTIL I FELL LOVE LLEGE. I WAS SO BRAWASHED BY THE [SCHOOL OF ROCK] EXPERIENCE THAT I NVCED MYSELF I WASN’T GAY, WHICH IS FELY NOT TE. DEFELY GAY! I FELL LOVE MY SENR YEAR AND HE KD OF BROKE MY HEART FAIRLY QUICKLY. I WAS SO VASTATED, I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT . I KNEW I HAD TO TALK TO SOMEONE. I REMEMBER NNG TO MY BT IEND’S DORM ROOM AND LLAPSG. I SAID, “I HAVE TO TELL YOU SOMETHG.” SHE FELT I HAD MURRED SOMEONE AND SHE WAS PREPARED TO HI THE BODY! SHE SAID, “I’M HERE FOR YOU. WHAT DO YOU NEED?” I SAID, “I’M GAY.” SHE WAS LIKE, “OH, OK.”{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;}HAD YOU TRIED DATG GIRLS?{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;}YEAH. AT A TIME HIGH SCHOOL, I HAD A NEW GIRLIEND EVERY WEEK. AND ALL MY IENDS WERE GIRLS. OCSNALLY, I’D BE ABLE TO TRICK THEM TO DATG ME FOR A LTLE {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;}ARE YOU MORE AT PEACE WH YOUR SCHOOL OF ROCK EXPERIENCE NOW?{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 PAST, WAS ALWAYS A SUBJECT I WANTED TO PE. BUT NOW, I DON’T RE, I LOVE . MAYBE THERE ARE OTHER THGS I’D PREFER TO SPEND MY TIME TALKG ABOUT, BUT I DON’T MD AT ALL. I FEEL LIKE I’M MAKG UP FOR YEARS OF NOT BEG ABLE TO NNECT WH PEOPLE ABOUT . AND FOR SOME PEOPLE, SEEG AN EFFEMATE, HAPPY KID ON SCREEN AT A TIME WHEN THERE WAS NOT MUCH LGBTQ REPRENTATN WAS {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 FOUND YOUR CHARACTER JOYO AND A REAL HIGHLIGHT BEE OF THE REPRENTATN. YOU WERE GREAT!{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;}GLAD TO BE ABLE TO HELP!{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 DID YOU BEE A LIFE ACH?{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;}ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO. BS IS GROWG QUICKLY. I’M A SONGWRER AND ACTOR AND I WANTED TO DO SOMETHG MORE WH MY LIFE. I WANTED SOMETHG I ULD SUPPORT MYSELF WH. I WAS PROUD OF HOW FULL CIRCLE I’D E, AND I WANTED TO E MY JOURNEY TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE. WHAT I’VE BEEN LEARNG ABOUT MY JOURNEY IS THERE ARE PLENTY OF ROURC OUT THERE FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO STOP LIVG. THERE ARE ROURC FOR THEM TO BE MORE NFINT AN THENTIC WAY. SOMETIM PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW WHAT’S ON THE OTHER SI A LTLE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:75%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{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;}DO YOU HAVE LGBTQ CLIENTS?{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;}Y, BUT I DO HAVE SOME STRAIGHT CLIENTS. I WORK WH EVERYONE. ANYONE WHO HAS SOME STORY THAT ISN’T SUPPORTG THEIR PURE POTENTIALY. WE ALL HAVE THAT LIMG NARRATIVE OUR BRA. EVERYONE HAS THAT STORY THEY’RE TELLG THEMSELV THAT DON’T MATCH THE STORY THEY WANT TO LIVE AND SHARE WH THE WORLD. BEG TOLD YOU’RE NOT LOVABLE OR WORTHY OF LOVE, AND YOU HAVE TO CHANGE TO BE ACCEPTED. IT’S A DAILY SERTG OF {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;}WE’RE TOLD LI ABOUT OURSELV OR WE TELL THEM OURSELV?{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;}A LTLE B OF BOTH. ON INSTAGRAM, WE SEE ALL THE HAPPY THGS AND LIV WE VET AND WE FET THAT OUR OWN LIV ARE REAL AND VALID. COMPARG IS THE WORST THG THEY N {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;}WHAT WOULD YOU TELL A KID WHO GETS BACKLASH OM A ROLE, LIKE YOU 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;}I DON’T WANT TO SOUND CHEY. I FEEL LIKE EVERY SELF-VELOPMENT I’VE MA HAS BEEN OM ME GOG BACK TO MYSELF AND BEG MORE ALL ACCEPTG AND ALL EMBRACG. IF SOMEONE IS BEG GIVEN A HARD TIME, HAS MORE TO DO WH THE PERSON GIVG THIS OPN, BEE WE PROJECT ONTO OTHER PEOPLE WHAT WE DON’T LIKE ABOUT OURSELV. SO I’D SAY JT OWN AND EMBRACE {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;}A KID UALLY DON’T REALIZE THAT A BULLY IS PROJECTG THEIR OWN SECURY. THE KID THKS MAYBE THEY DID SOMETHG {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;}RIGHT. I’M SUPER CUR WHAT THE WORLD WOULD BE LIKE IF EVERYONE GREW UP {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;}ARE YOU A RELATNSHIP RIGHT NOW?{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;}Y. WH {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;}IS BAT OUT OF HELL: THE MIL ALL REVVED UP WH NOW PLACE TO GO?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{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;}ROCK AND ROLL IS APPARENTLY ALSO DONE BY STRAIGHT PEOPLE, WHICH BRGS TO BAT OUT OF HELL: THE MIL (ALSO KNOWN AS BOOH) AT NEW YORK CY CENTER. JIM STEMAN’S MIC HAS ALWAYS BEEN BOMBASTIC, BUT A TCHY AND AT TIM THEATRIL WAY THAT MIGHT MAKE SUABLE FOR A JEBOX SHOW. BUT BOOH IS MOSTLY {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;}SONGS OM THE THREE BOOH ALBUMS (WHICH WERE ORIGALLY SUNG BY MEAT LOAF) LIKE “PARADISE BY THE DASHBOARD LIGHT” AND “YOU TOOK THE WORDS RIGHT OUT OF MY MOUTH” ARE SUNG AT TOP VOLUME AS AN APOLYPTIC LOVE AFFAIR PLAYS OUT AMIDST THE CATS-LIKE S. STEMAN’S SCRIPT HAS STRAT, THE FOREVER 18 LEAR OF THE LOST (A WELL-SUNG BUT NOT VERY CHARISMATIC ANDREW POLEC) FALLG FOR RAVEN (CHRISTA BENNGTON), THE RICH, RTLS DGHTER OF A TMP-LIKE TYRANT NAMED FAL (BRADLEY DEAN), WHO LIV FAL TOWERS. ON THE UPPER RIGHT SI OF THE STAGE, RAVEN IS OFTEN SEEN BEG VIOTAPED WRHG AROUND, AND ON THE OTHER SI, YOU’RE TREATED TO THE ACTUAL VIOS; PL THERE ARE PROJECTNS, FLASHG LIGHTS, AND EXPLODG NFETTI, AS LOVE DUETS ARE STNG TOGETHER WHOUT ENOUGH SENSE OR SUBSTANCE TO MAKE YOU RE ABOUT THE SKETCHILY DRAWN CHARACTERS’ {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;}AS A MEMBER OF THE LOST WHO ALSO FDS HERSELF AT THE FALS’ HOEHOLD, DANIELLE STEERS DO WELL WH “TWO OUT OF THREE A’T BAD,” WH GREAT VOLS AND SOME MUCH NEED DIGNY, TOO. ALSO, BRADLEY DEAN AND TONY WNER LENA HALL AS HIS WIFE SG A POWERFULLY ACHG “WHAT PART OF MY BODY HURTS THE MOST,” A PREVLY UNRELEASED SONG (THOUGH THE DIRECTOR, JAY SCHEIB, WEIRDLY DON’T GIVE THEM AN APPLSE BUTTON), BY WHICH POT WE REALIZE THAT THE LSER-KNOWN NUMBERS ARE THE ON THAT PROVI THE MOST POWER HERE. (“OBJECTS THE REAR VIEW MIRROR MAY APPEAR CLOSER THAN THEY ARE” ALSO SR BETTER THAN THE OTHER SCREECHATHONS.) BUT THERE’S A QUICKIE LBIAN KISS THAT DON’T ADD UP TO ANYTHG. AND THE PLOT IS SO OVERWROUGHT THAT WHEN “SIX MONTHS LATER” IS FLASHED ON THE STAGE, GETS SOME UNWANTED {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;}THE SEND HALF DO VELOP A B MORE STEAM BEE BY THEN YOU ALMOST ARE READY TO SUBM TO THE ONSLGHT OF APOLYPTIC LUNACY (I STARTED THKG OF THIS SHOW AS A SCHLOCKWORK ORANGE), AND YOU MIGHT EVEN RE TO HEAR AN ANSWER TO THE OFT-ASKED “ON A HOT SUMMER NIGHT, WOULD YOU OFFER YOUR THROAT TO THE WOLF WH RED ROS?” BUT STEAD, I WANTED TO JO THE LOST AT THE DEEP END BAR FOR A STIFF {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;}A SCHEME GROWS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{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;}SPOILERS AHEAD! ADAM IS SORT OF A REVERSE CRYG GAME. INSTEAD, OF “WA A MUTE, YOU’RE TRANS?” ’S, “WA A MUTE, YOU’RE NOT TRANS?” IN THE FILM, A LBIAN (MARGARET QUALLEY) IS VISED BY HER BROTHER (NICHOLAS ALEXANR), AND HE STARTS AROG VAR OTHER LBIANS, WHO ASSUME HE’S A TRANS MAN. TO GET SOME ACTN (AND VALIDATN), HE SHOCKGLY GO ALONG WH THAT SE AND ALSO LI ABOUT HIS AGE AND SCHOOL. ADD A TOUCH OF M. BUTTERFLY, TOOTSIE, AND SOUL MAN, AND SET 2006 HIPSTER BROOKLYN, WHERE (WE’RE TOLD) LBIANS WILL ONLY SLEEP WH A MAN IF HE’S TRANS, AND WE’RE SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE THAT ALL A GUY NEEDS TO DO TO HAVE SOME FUN HATEY AMERI IS PRETEND TO BE {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;}FORTUNATELY, THE MOVIE—VIA TRANS DIRECTOR RHYS ERNST (TRANSPARENT), WH A SCREENPLAY BY ARIEL SCHRAG BASED ON HER BOOK—HAS S BADLY BEHAVG CHARACTERS EVENTUALLY PPG TO THEIR SHORTGS, AND TURNS OUT ADAM’S GIRLIEND (BOBBI SALVöR MENUEZ) HAD LONG AGO FIGURED OUT HE WASN’T TRANS, BUT SHE LIKED THE FANTASY AND KEPT ASKG HIM TO STRAP ONE ON. THE RULTG FILM STCK ME AS ULTRA HIP AND RATHER RETROGRA AT THE SAME {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;}A PRCE OR A QUEEN?ROBERT ROSA/NY DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE VIA GETTY IMAGUNITED STATES - JULY 05: DIRECTOR HAL PRCE DURG REHEARSAL FOR "DON GVANNI." (PHOTO BY ROBERT ROSA/NY DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE VIA GETTY IMAG){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;}AND HERE’S SOME MORE LE BLURRG: LEGENDARY BROADWAY DIRECTOR HAROLD PRCE, WHO WON A RERD BREAKG 21 TONY AWARDS FOR HIS STUNNG STAGG OF SHOWS LIKE SWEENEY TODD AND THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, DIED RECENTLY, AND NATURALLY, THE GLOWG OBS ALL REFERENCED HIS WIFE AND KIDS. BUT BACK THE DAY, PRCE WAS ALSO KNOWN FOR DALLIANC WH MEN. IN FACT, ONE TONY-WNG MALE WAS JT ASKED BY A IEND, “DO YOU KNOW OF ANY GUYS PRCE SLEPT WH?” AND HE REPLIED, “YOU’RE LOOKG AT ONE.” A BISEXUAL ON BROADWAY? SHOCKG, I {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}MTO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Eventually, I began to re so much what people thought of me that I uldn't even dn well beme somethg I had to do to bee succsful so that I wasn't known forever as jt the "gay kid om School of Rock. I was a senr llege, he a sophomore.

Turns out I wasn't his only nfidant or even his first gay relatnship. Not for beg gay, but bee who I was felt fed by bad relatnship cisns.

THE “GAY KID” FROM “SCHOOL OF ROCK” IS NOW A HOT SGER AND LIFE COACHFEEL OLD, YET? BY LAWRENCE FERBERDECEMBER 28, 2018/10:43 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:625PX;WIDTH:1078PX;}SUB-URBAN PHOTOGRAPHYBY LAWRENCE FERBERDECEMBER 28, 2018 / 10:43 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"THE “GAY KID” FROM “SCHOOL OF ROCK” IS NOW A HOT SGER AND LIFE COACH","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2018-12-28T15:43:04.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2018-12-28T15:43:04.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","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":"LAWRENCE FERBER"}{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;}SCHOOL OF ROCK’S BRIAN FALDUTO IS SGG A VERY DIFFERENT SONG {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;}AFTER A FIRST BSH WH FAME AT 11-YEARS-OLD, ORIGATG THE ROLE OF LIZA MNELLI-LOVG, SASSY BILLY “FANCY PANTS” 2003'S SCHOOL OF ROCK—WHICH SCE SPIRED A BROADWAY SHOW AND NICKELOON TV SERI—FALDUTO ADMS HE WAS BULLIED S WAKE AND STGGLED WH HIS SEXUALY DUE TO A NSERVATIVE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{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 2017, HOWEVER, HE REEMERGED AS A FULLY OUT SGER-SONGWRER TERMED TO EMPOWER OTHERS WH THE EP, LOVE ONE ANOTHER, AND A NOVEMBER 2018 FULL-LENGTH BUT ALBUM, STAGE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{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;}AT THE SAME TIME, FALDUTO LNCHED A REER AS I.C.F. CERTIFIED LIFE ACH TO NSULT AND GUI LGBTQ CLIENTS WHO MIGHT BE EXPERIENCG LIFE’S STGGL. IN PREPARATN FOR A DECEMBER 30 LIVE SET AT NYC’S ROCKWOOD MIC HALL (AT 9PM), FALDUTO SPOKE WH NEWNOWNEXT ABOUT THE FAMO, NTROVERSIAL GAY SELF-HELP TOME THAT SPIRED HIS ALBUM, LIFE ACHG, AND THE PL SI OF {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 UNRSTAND THAT STAGE TWO WAS SPIRED BY DR. ALAN DOWNS' THE VELVET RAGE. HOW DID YOU GET TO THAT BOOK?{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 REMEND BY MY THERAPIST, ACTUALLY. IT WAS HELPFUL TO FD A LANE MY MIC ULD TIE TO AND CI WH THE BS I LNCHED. NONE OF THE SONGS WERE NECSARILY SPIRED BY THE BOOK BEE THEY WERE WRTEN BEFORE I READ , BUT THE BOOK TALKED ABOUT STAGE TWO, A PERD A GAY MAN’S LIFE WHEN THEY SPEND A LOT OF TIME OVERPENSATG FOR STAGE ONE, WHICH IS THE PERD OF SHAME THEY LIVED . FOR ME, THAT WAS ELEVEN TO TWELVE YEARS OF BEG UNFORTABLE WH WHO I WAS AND SEEKG VALIDATN ALTERNATE SOURC. I WAS SEEKG VALIDATN OFTEN THE FORMS OF ADDICTIVE RELATNSHIPS, AND THERE ARE BREAKUP SONGS. BASILLY, THE OPPORTUNY TO NAME THE ALBUM AFTER THE BOOK WAS MY WAY TO DIRECT PEOPLE TO READ , AND HOW TO GET TO STAGE THREE, WHICH IS GENUE THENTICY AND LIVG AS YOUR TE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{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;}ARE BREAKUPS GOLN FOR SONGWRERS, THOUGH?{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;}THEY’RE SO GOOD! THEY FEED WRG LIKE NOTHG ELSE, ’S REALLY {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;}HOW ARE YOU WH RELATNSHIPS NOW?{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’M AS SGLE AS THE DAY I WAS BORN, AND HAVG A RELATNSHIP WH MYSELF AND HAVG A GREAT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{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;}WHAT’S THE SOP ON YOUR LIFE-ACHG REER?{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;}MY PRIMARY GOAL IS TO WORK WH LGBT CLIENTS THE PROCS OF OVERG THE SHAME THEY GREW UP WH, AND VELOPG NFINCE SO THEY N LIVE THENTILLY AND NOT THIS WAY OF OVERPENSATG FOR THE YEARS SPENT LIVG THE CLOSET. IT’S SOMETHG I’M REALLY PASSNATE ABOUT. MAKG SURE YOU’RE CLIVE OF {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;}ARE ANY OF THE ORIGAL SCHOOL OF ROCK MOVIE ST AND CREATIV SUPPORTIVE OF YOUR E?{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’VE NOT REALLY REACHED OUT TO ANYONE. THE KIDS AND I ARE IENDS AND HAVE AN ACTIVE GROUP CHAT. BUT I’VE NOT BEEN TOUCH [WH THE ADULTS] SCE THE RNN. JACK BLACK IS SO KD, I’M SURE HE WOULD DO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{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;}IS A STAGE THREE ALBUM 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;}I JT RERD A LIVE MIC VIO FOR A NEW SONG LLED “ALRIGHT,” AND THAT’S MY FIRST THOUGHT FOR WHAT I WOULD PROBABLY LL STAGE THREE OF MY LIFE. I DON’T THK I WOULD LL THE NEXT ALBUM STAGE THREE, BUT I’M STARTG TO WRE SONGS A PLACE WHERE THERE’S MORE STRENGTH. THE SONG WILL BE RELEASED ON DECEMBER {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;}WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED FOR THE DECEMBER 30 PERFORMANCE?{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;}WE’RE SO PSYCHED. IT WAS A REALLY EXCG YEAR FOR ME. WE’RE DOG A FUN SET AND UNTG DOWN MY TOP TEN MIC MOMENTS OF THE YEAR AND PERFORMG THE SONGS THAT ACPANIED THOSE MOMENTS. A OL LTLE UNTDOWN. AFTERWARD, WE’RE HAVG A LTLE PARTY BEE I’M HEADG TO L.A. JANUARY FOR PILOT SEASON, SO ’S A GOODBYE TO THE EAST AST FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Navigatg adulthood as a sgle gay man was difficult after this whirlwd. It's still illegal to be gay 72 untri. Joey Gaydos Jr., who portrayed soft-spoken guarist Zack Mooneyham, me up surround by the origators of Michigan’s early 1970s proto-punk scene.

Gaydos Jr. In the years sce, Billy has been labeled a gay character, but Falduto said the script never referenced his sexualy, and never me up on set.

“It didn’t need to be labeled as somethg, bee you don’t need to be gay or a certa genr orr to like fashn or to be effemate or to be sassy, ” says Falduto. “It was a ttament to what our society was like at the time that everyone saw that kid and was like, ‘gay. Rey and Gaydos stayed close iends wh Clark until his ath, and the loss still lgers wh them.

*BEAR-MAGAZINE.COM* GAY KID FROM SCHOOL OF ROCK

School of Rock's Brian Falduto Reunts Playg 'the Gay Kid' .

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