Gossip columnist outs US soap actor nominated for gay role

By Adam Higgins • May 6, 2008 - 14:02

According to gossip columnist Perez Hilton, actor Van Hansis isn't just playing gay

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He scored an Emmy nomination for his work as gay teen Luke Snyder on the daytime soap As the World Turns, but according to gossip columnist Perez Hilton, actor Van Hansis isn't just playing gay on TV.

Though gay publications have been covering Hansis' groundbreaking work on the daytime drama for months, his sexuality has never been a topic of discussion.

Now, Hilton has linked the 26-year-old actor to Broadway performer Tyler Hanes, posting photos of the look-alike actors and saying he has on good authority the two are dating.

The announcement came out of the blue.

There has been next to no speculation on Hansis' sexuality in the media.

A huge supporter of the GLAAD Media Awards and media efforts to shine a light on the storyline, Hansis scored an Emmy nod for Outstanding Achievement by a Younger Actor in a Daytime Drama just last week.

His storyline with co-star Jake Silberman has scored widespread attention as fans asked parent company Procter & Gamble Productions to move forward with the couple's romance and allow them to kiss on screen.

Amid protests from the religious Right, the couple enjoyed their third on screen lip lock just last week. As video of the kiss spread over the Web, religious organisations urged a boycott of CBS.