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Interviews
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Straight Ally
14th March 2006
Playing the most visible--and most sexually active--gay
teen on TV doesn't raze 19-year-old
Shawn Pyfrom, who plays the manipulative
Andrew Van De Kamp on ABC's Desperate Housewives.
Pyfrom, who hails from Tampa, Fla., talks about
gay rights, parental approval, and kissing boys.
What kind of feedback have you gotten about Andrew's
coming out as gay?
I have some family members who were raised a little more
conservatively, and even though they don't think
[Andrews sexual orientation] is wrong, there's an
"uncomfortability." For the most part, I've
gotten a lot of great feedback from both gay and
straight fans. My parents are both really supportive.
By playing a gay teen on one of the most watched
shows on TV, do you feel a responsibility to portray
Andrew a certain way?
No, not necessarily: I think what's great about Andrew
is that they developed him as this bastard teenager who
is terrible to his mother, hits old ladies with his car,
and also happens to be gay. They don't make him this
typical weak gay character, and I think that's good
because it's saying that even if you're gay, you can
still be strong and confident.
Do you take cues from gay friends in your role as
Andrew?
No. I have gay friends, but I don't ask them for advice.
I can imagine that when you're gay your emotions and
feelings are the same as being straight, except that
they're with the same sex.
Is it odd to kiss a guy in front of millions of
people?
I'm an actor, and I know it comes with the job, so I'm
OK with it. In fact. I'm not nervous about people seeing
it. If I'm doing it, I'd rather have people see it. The
process of it can be uncomfortable, though--like kissing
a guy in front of all our guy crew members. Most of them
are really cool about it, but sometimes you'll get some
hecklers.
You attended Cracked Xmas, a fund-raiser for the
Trevor Project, a gay youth hotline. Are there any other
ways you show support for gay youth?
I've done a lot of fund-raisers and events supporting
gay rights and gotten involved with things through [gay
Housewives creator] Marc Cherry
Marc Cherry (born March 23, 1962) is an American writer
and producer. He is best known for being the creator of
the show Desperate Housewives. Career
Early career. I feel raising awareness
Raising awareness is a common phrase advocacy groups use
to justify a particular event, brochure or even the
entire organization. Raising awareness refers to
alerting the general public that a certain issue exists
and should be approached the way the group desires. about
gay rights is important.
(c) Neal
Broverman, The Advocate
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