Love, Simon has generated a whirlwind of pre -release buzz as Hollywoods first mainstream coming-of-age comedy to center on a gay teen. Regardless of how the movie fares with critics and audiences, it represents a more personal milestone for actor Keiynan Lonsdale .

Lonsdale plays Bram Greenfeld, a high school soccer jock and one of several possible swoonworthy love interests for the films closeted protagonist, Simon Spier (Nick Robinson ). Prior to being cast in the role, the actor had never spoken publicly about his sexuality. At the movies wrap party in Atlanta last year, he came out as bisexual.

Timing is a very funny thing. I never imagined, especially as I was going through my own issues, that I would get to play this character in a queer love story, the 26-year-old told HuffPost. The film, which hits theaters Friday, gave me a kick to reflect and think about how I wanted to deal with my internalized shame, he added.