POZ and We Love Soaps and Love Out Loud

Billy Magnussen Loves Out Loud

Anyone who includes carpentry among his interests has to be quite an interesting fellow and As the World Turns was blessed with the very interesting Billy Magnussen as Casey Hughes fresh from his Broadway stage debut in the classic comedy, The Ritz, starring Rosie Perez in 2008. As a member of that cast it is particularly poignant because it was a hit originally in 1975 when the sexual mores of this country had not yet been effected by the HIV virus. This Queens native who was raised in the Deep South comes to Love Out Loud for a second time, along with other local celebrities, who are lending their names and energies to HIV and AIDS awareness—some are young people who don’t know a world without this disease. It is reassuring that this young man is involved in raising awareness as well as helping out with a fund raising effort.

Jersey Boy Loves Out Loud: Tom Degnan

You gotta love a guy who loves the Phillies. OK? The eldest of three siblings, Tom Degnan, who was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania grew up outside of Cherry Hill, New Jersey. A self-proclaimed sports fanatic, he was on the track team in high school and briefly considered trying out his athleticism at the collegiate level while attending Notre Dame, but he ended up majoring in finance, instead. "There was a short window— very, very short window — where I thought about actually walking on to the track team for hurdles," he told Soap Opera Digest. "You realize that all the kids who play varsity sports are bigger, faster, stronger than you so that wasn't going to fly!" It wasn't until Degnan took a theater class—just to fulfill a requirement, no less—that he discovered his passion for the stage. In 2008, Degnan went on to attend Case Western Reserve University, where he received an MFA in Theater. After a couple of small television appearances, Degnan was tapped to play mysterious war veteran Riley onAs the World Turns in 2009. Riley was revealed to be Margo's son, Adam, who had been presumed-dead in a bombing in Afghanistan.In November 2010, Degnan joined the cast of One Life to Live in the highly sought after recast role of Joey Buchanan (initially believing he'd lost the part to Josh Kelly, who plays Cutter). Degnan has also appeared on The Good Wife and is currently in a band with his former As the World Turns co-star Billy Magnussen (ex-Casey). We are proud to have him take part in Love Out Loud VI. This event only gets better every year and Mr. Degnan proves it. Thanks to Soap Opera Digest for the biographical information.

Martha Byrne Loves Out Loud

We Love Soaps and POZ are very proud to announce the addition of Martha Byrne to Love Out Loud VI. Martha Byrne made Lily Snyder her own on the CBS Daytime Drama As The World Turns and received two emmys for her achievement. Although most people remember her for the landmark role, Martha has starred in the feature film, Sliding Home and her music is featured in the soundtrack to the film. Additionally, Martha co-produced her self titled debut album, Martha Byrne, and wrote and recorded two cuts for the soundtrack of the feature film Jane Doe starring Calista Flockhart. She also recorded an original song for the independent film Beggars & Choosers in which she appears. Martha’s extensive and impressive career has seen her working along side some of the industry’s finest actors. New World Television cast Martha as the lead in the television pilot Inheritance, a project based on the best selling novel. The Los Angeles Times singled out Martha’s performance in the Fox Network Movie, Pink Lightning. Presently, Martha is putting the finishing touches on the follow up to her debut album Martha Byrne. Martha is married to a retired NYPD Sergeant and has two beautiful children. As if that weren’t enough Martha is proud of her fundraising efforts on behalf of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She has chaired and coordinated the Annual Daytime Television Hospital Benefit since 1993, and looks forward to many more successful fundraising events in the future. And now she will be on hand on May 11, 2011 to meet and greet her many fans to help raise funds for AIDS Walk New York on behalf of POZ and We Love Soaps.