Degrassi creator Linda Schuyler can add another award to her impressive list of achievements. She was recently honoured with the Bonham Centre Award from the University of Toronto’s Mark S Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies.
The award was presented to Linda yesterday along with Dustin Lance Black (screenwriter of Milk). The award recognizes individuals for their contributions to the development of sex education and sexual diversity in the public sphere. Past winners include sex educator Sue Johanson, who guest starred on Degrassi Junior High and TNG.
At the ceremony, Mark S. Bonham discussed Degrassi’s lasting influence on youth culture, stating: “Linda’s series was the first TV show with an adolescent cast and an adolescent audience .. And in a positive way, that shaped and educated this generation’s thinking and outlook on life.”
Former Degrassi star Adamo Ruggiero was also on hand to describe how Linda and Degrassi changed his life: “I remember growing up in a Catholic school and being bullied,” Adamo said. “I was struggling with my own sexual identity when Linda plucked me from the suburbs of Toronto and gave me this beautiful gift of Marco.”
Congratulations Linda!