Stage, television and movie actor Wilson Cruz is coming to Roosevelt University on Thursday May 1 to talk with students and guests about their sexual orientation.

During a presentation titled  My So-Called Life: Coming Out, Family Life and Homelessness, Cruz will share his insights about being openly gay in America. In both his acting roles and community work, he has served as a model and mentor to gay youth, especially gay youth of color.

Cruz   will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Congress Lounge (second floor) of Roosevelt University, 430 S. Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Sponsored by the University's RU Proud and SPEED organizations, the event is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted for Horizons/Center on Halsted Youth Program for youth ages 13-24, who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, are questioning their sexual orientation, identify as queer, or are straight.

Cruz recently completed filming alongside Drew Barrymore the movie He's Just Not That Into You. Last year he starred in the independent feature Coffee Date, for which he received critical praise.

Cruz first won admiration of audiences playing Rickie, a troubled, introspective teenager on the critically acclaimed series, My So-Called Life. He again earned fans and critical acclaim for his role of Angel in RENT which he began at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles and continued on Broadway. Cruz received the Theatre LA Ovation Award and the Dramalogue Award for his performance.

Off the success of RENT, Cruz landed a series regular role on the FOX hit drama Party of Five and his character quickly became an integral part of the show.

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