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Wilson Cruz talks to EW about growing up gay in TV from “My So-Called Life” to “Star Trek: Discovery”

I think the world of Wilson Cruz and was so excited to open up my new issue of Entertainment Weekly over the weekend – an LGBT issue – and see him featured inside.

He was so brave to come out at the beginning of his career when he was cast as a gay teen on ABC’s My So-Called Life.

Here’s an excerpt: When the short-lived, critically acclaimed drama My So-Called Life launched in August 1994, Cruz became the first openly gay actor to play an openly gay character as a series regular on a television show.

“I took it as an opportunity to shed light on LGBT youth issues and give a voice to young people,” Cruz, now 44, says of playing abused teen Rickie Vasquez. “I felt like, at that time, there weren’t a lot of people who were willing to take those roles. Here I was, not only willing but excited to take them—and to make a difference because of them.”

And he knew the only way he could do that was to come out publicly.

“The moment I was told that I was playing [Rickie,] it felt, to me, that it came with the responsibility of coming out—and I was excited about it,” he says. “Now, I can’t say it was exciting for everyone who was representing me, but I didn’t really care.”

FILE UNDER: Out Stars

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One Remark

  1. I have been captivated by Wilson since his sweet, heartbreaking Rickie on My So Called Life and his equally heart wrenching portrayal of Rafael on Raising the Bar. Bravo to him for living his truth and being an inspiration and a groundbreaker.

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