As one of the youngest gay characters on television, The Fosters' Hayden Bylery knows he has an obligation to get it right.

Even more so since his character, Jude, is in a relationship with another teen, Connor (Gavin Macintosh). Last spring the boys had the youngest same-sex kiss on television.

"I learned about the 'Jonnor' storyline before they ever wrote any scene about it," Byerly, 15, told NewNowNext.  "The writers told me they thought Jude would end up being gay, so I knew he would eventually have a boyfriend."

But did he realize it would garner such attention—and a devoted following?

"I didn't think too about it at first," he confesses. "I assumed it would be important but I didn't fully understand how amazing it would actually be."

In the Season 3B premiere, Connor is now in L.A. with his mom, but the boys try to keep their relationship going.

"I can't give much away—but I do know that this season is a lot about Jude struggling with having a long-distance relationship and the repercussions that it brings," he teases. "Whatever the writers choose to do, I am there happy to participate."

And Hayden's participation extends beyond his time on-screen: He launched Hayden's Hope Totes, which provides free duffle bags to kids entering foster care.

"Compared to what I knew [about the foster care system] before, the difference is colossal," he tells us. "It has been an eye-opening experience."