Out 100 (Randy Harrison and Peter Paige) "Out" magazine, December 2001.

Whether they love its boldness or question its sex-and-drub-drenched depiction of gay men, millions of Americans now tune in faithfully to Queer as Folk. The Showtime drama's provacative portrait of gay life has shaken up the way we're portrayed in the media--and it's shaken up the lives of its stars as well.

"Surreal is definitely the easiest word to encapsulate the feeling," says openly gay Folk star Peter Paige of the whirlwind of the past 12 months.

The dramatic series, which debuted last December and follows the lives (more specifically, the sex lives) of a group of gay men and lesbians in Pittsburgh, has become Showtime's highest-rated show, thanks not only to its abundance of expilict sexuality but also to its solid performances, particularly that of Paige, who as Emmett has given a richness to his flamboyant character ("He has amazing access to his emotions and to his soul," praises co-executive producer Ron Cowen), and that of Randy Harrison, who plays 18-year-old newbie Justin.

"There's a determination, a courage, and an independence about Randy that I think became intrinsic to Justin," observes co-executive producer Daniel Lipman.

"He is this extraordinary, intelligent, insightful, incredibly kind little punk who I love," says Paige of his costar.

"Peter has been a lifesaver to me," echoes Harrison, 24. "He teaches me about acting, about being a gay man, about figuring out my place as an openly gay man, and about being a part of this show."

Queer comes back in January for a second season, and the drama is just beginning. Folkies who fretted all summer long can rest assured that Justin, who was gay-bashed in the season finale is alive. "There's a lot of therapy that I have to go through," says Harrison of his character, who is off to art school this year. "Specifically with Brian." Michael will start dating a gay studies professor from Carnegie Mellon University. Lipman promises, "A lot of dancing at Babylon. A lot of drugs. Lots of sex."

And Emmett gets a job that, Cowen hints, gives him a "new reason to show some skin."

"Emmett's getting a lot of action in many different ways," reveals Paige.

Harrison and Paige have gotten their share of action as well. This summer Harrison filmed the Showtime flick Bang, Bang You're Dead, which explores violence in high school, playing a (straight) teen who seeks revenge against his tormentors. Paige fulfilled his six-year dream of starring in the play Secret Agents in Los Angelos and also played a (straight) radio producer in the upcoming Showtime movie Our America.

So much for being out hurting your career. "I've been out since I was 15," shugs Harrison. "I'm not about to go back into the closet because I got a TV show. It seemed superficial to consider lying."

Sure, but lots of actors do. "Yeah," he says. "But they're miserable, and I'm not."

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