TORONTO — Two teen actors made history this week by sharing what is believed to be the youngest same-sex kiss ever on U.S. television.
On Monday’s episode of The Fosters, Jude (Hayden Byerly) and Connor (Gavin MacIntosh) kissed after weeks of struggling with their feelings for each other.
Fans have already dubbed the pair “Jonnor.”
The characters are 13 years old but in real life, Byerly is 14 and MacIntosh is about to turn 16.
MacIntosh told Just Jared the storyline is important because many young people can relate.
“Just being 13 is difficult enough, going through physical and emotional changes,” he said. “Then if you add in not being sure about if you like boys or girls, and society telling you that you should be a certain way — I can see why so many kids are struggling.”
The Fosters, which airs in Canada on ABC Spark, is about an interracial lesbian couple (Teri Polo and Sherri Saum) raising five children.
The show was co-created by Peter Paige, who starred for five seasons on the made-in-Toronto series Queer As Folk, and it counts Jennifer Lopez among its executive producers.
LGBT organization GLAAD applauded The Fosters for the Jonnor plot.
“For LGBT youth, stories like this are a powerful moment to see themselves represented and recognize they are not alone,” wrote Megan Townsend of GLAAD. “These characters are also able to nurture understanding and acceptance in their peer groups, ultimately creating a safer environment for LGBT youth.”
BELOW: Watch Jude and Connor in scenes from The Fosters.
Reaction on social media has been overwhelmingly positive.
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