Degrassi up for GLAAD Award; upcoming episode

From a media release:

Degrassi: The Next Generation Nominated for GLAAD Award; Adamo Ruggiero to Present at the 19th Annual Red Carpet Affair in Los Angeles, April 26

• Degrassi: The Next Generation nominated in the “Drama Series” category alongside, Dirty Sexy Money, Greek, Brothers & Sisters and The L Word
• Ruggiero and co-star Lauren Collins to walk the red carpet alongside Ellen DeGeneres, Janet Jackson, Grey’s Anatomy’s T.R. Knight and more

Degrassi’s Adamo Ruggiero and Lauren Collins are heading to Hollywood to represent the internationally acclaimed Canadian drama series, Degrassi: The Next Generation, which is a nominee in the “Drama Series” category at the 19th Annual GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Media Awards. Ruggiero, who in late 2007 publicly addressed his sexuality in an exclusive interview with eTalk, has also been tapped by GLAAD to present an award alongside Paul James (Greek) and Gabrielle Christian (South of Nowhere). Other presenters and guests scheduled to attend the red carpet affair this Saturday, April 26 in Los Angeles include Ellen DeGeneres, Sharon Stone, Janet Jackson, fashion designer Tom Ford, Grey’s Anatomy star T.R. Knight, Sarah Silverman, Jimmy Kimmel and more.

“It is the honour of a lifetime, not only to be part of a Canadian series nominated for a GLAAD Award, but to present on the legendary Kodak Theatre stage,” said Ruggiero. “I am so pleased to see that Degrassi is continually being acknowledged for its contributions to the gay and lesbian community.”

The GLAAD Awards, which will be presented at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, rewards the best in television, film, music, theatre, web/print media and advertising for their dedication to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Degrassi is nominated in the “Drama Series” category, up against Brothers & Sisters, Dirty Sexy Money, Greek and The L Word.

Degrassi broke new boundaries in 2003 when Marco, played by Ruggiero, came out of the closet in the series’ third season. Degrassi was nominated for its first GLAAD Award in 2004 following Marco’s coming out story. Since then, the series has dealt with gay and lesbian storylines in different capacities including this season, where Marco was tempted to hustle for money.

Coming up in the next episode of Degrassi, “Talking in Your Sleep” (Monday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. ET on CTV), Paige (Lauren Collins) is on her A-game – she’s excelling at work, Andrea’s (Natalie Lisinska) given her a raise, and she’s going to use the money to redesign her bedroom. But a kink is thrown into the works when a distraction appears in the form of roommate Griffin (Nathaniel Stephenson). Though Paige is happy, she’s soon sure Marco (Adamo Ruggiero) was right – now that Griffin’s got what he wanted, he’s not interested in her anymore. Why does he seem so distant? What is he hiding? When Paige discovers the truth, she realizes her little distraction is a lot more than she bargained for.