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"The Fosters" Gavin MacIntosh On Being Part Of TV's Youngest Gay Couple: "Things Are Definitely Going To Move Forward"

[caption id="attachment_209838" align="alignnone" width="500"]Gavin MacIntosh Gavin MacIntosh[/caption]

ABC Family has been blazing a trail with The Fosters, the J-Lo produced drama about a lesbian couple (Teri Polo and Sherri Saum) and their blended family of adopted, biological and foster children.

Related: Meet The Youngest Gay Couple On TV

Last season, their 13-year-old son, Jude (Hayden Byerly), explored his feelings for his classmate Connor (Gavin MacIntosh)—giving television its youngest same-sex kiss—and the two tentatively began a relationship.

In tonight’s episode, "Jonner," as fans have come to call the young couple, attend an LGBTQ prom—even if Jude isn't quite ready to stick a label on himself.

Below MacIntosh, 16,  talks about The Fosters, what's next for Jonner, and attending his first Pride parade.


NewNowNext: I saw you on the Disney float during L.A. Pride. Was that your first Pride?

Gavin MacIntosh: It actually was my first gay Pride parade—and it was really great.

It was a great experience to be up on the float with other ABC Family cast members. And [Hayden and I] were both signing autographs [at the street festival]. Some fans came from New Mexico and different states. It was incredible to see them come together like that.

What would Connor think of being at Pride, given it’s all pretty new for him?

GM:  I think that would be a great experience for Connor because he doesn’t have that many people who stand up for him besides himself and Jude. And Jude doesn’t even always stand up for him.

I think going to a Pride event like that would be great for him to realize that he’s not alone.

[caption id="attachment_209705" align="alignnone" width="600"]Jude (Hayden Byerly) and Connor (Gavin MacIntosh) hear about the prom from Cole (Tom Phelan). (ABC Family) Jude (Hayden Byerly) and Connor (Gavin MacIntosh) hear about the prom from Cole (Tom Phelan). (ABC Family)[/caption]

Connor’s father seems to be trying to understand what he's going through.

GM: Yeah, his dad is definitely not comfortable—he tried to accept it, but I don’t think he’s able to. Hopefully it turns around, but I think it’s something about the way his dad was raised.

There’s an LGBT prom on tonight's episode. What can you tell us about the dance?

GM: I’ve never been to a prom that eventful—there’s this little dispute between Connor and Jude that we’re going to see. I can’t tell you too much, but there’s definitely a lot of "Jonner" in the episode and the prom makes for an interesting environment for the scene.

Do we get to see you dance?

GM: You may be able to see me dance a little bit. It’s a rare occasion for me! Compared to other people in L.A., I do not dance [Laughs.] It was kind of interesting doing it on set.

Jude is still reluctant to put a label on his sexuality. Is that going to become an issue since Connor has come out?

GM: I think it may be a little tough for Jude. He’s probably not going to like it too much. Jude is Jude. [laughs]

Have you heard from kids your age who are going through what Jude and Connor are going through?

GM: There are so many kids that who are going through this right now, and we need events like the Pride parade to spread awareness. So many people need to hear about the struggle that these kids are going through and think positively about the whole situation.

Connor was on crutches for a while. Was that challenging?

GM: It was pretty funny. They gave me the crutches on set and I’d never used them before, but I just took off. I was using the crutches all the time, even when I wasn’t filming. I was walking with them back and forth to my trailer so I could get used to them.

What else will we see with Connor and Jude and their relationship?

GM: Things are definitely going to move forward. There are always ups and downs in relationships but I think Connor and Jude’s relationship is very strong—even though there are always going to be factors that may negatively and positively affect their relationship.

In this prom episode there is going to be a conflict, but I think they’re going to resolve it. They always do and they’re always there for each other.

Outside of The Fosters, how else are you spending your summer?

I think it’s going to be a great this summer. I’ll be hanging out with friends like Hayden. I’m playing soccer and trying to get on a fun team and just stay really active and busy this summer.


The Fosters airs Mondays at 8pm on ABCFamily. You can follow Gavin MacIntosh on Twitter @gavinmacintosh.

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