But I grew up in San Francisco in the ’90s.

I watched men die.

There was an awareness of the gay experience that was not a foreign concept to me.

Darren Criss speaks on stage during the C2E2 Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo at McCormick Place on April 27, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

Darren Criss.Daniel Boczarski/Getty

So, it was a narrative that I cared deeply about."

Mike Yarish / Fox / Courtesy of Everett

Criss portrayed Blaine Anderson for five ofGlee’ssix seasons.

He recurred throughout the season.

GLEE, (from left): Darren Criss, Chris Colfer, ‘The Untitled Rachel Berry Project’

Darren Criss and Chris Colfer on ‘Glee’.Mike Yarish / Fox / Courtesy of Everett

When the series ended, Blaine and Kurt were happily married after many ups and downs.

“It meant a great deal to me and it meant a great deal to other people.

Regardless of the fact that I’m a straight kid.

With additional reporting by Chris Cosgrove.