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 ANDREW OLDERSHAW inspires everyone in his orbit to commit to making a positive difference in the LGBT community
“The smallest deed is worth more than the grandest intention.”
Andrew Oldershaw still remembers this quote from his childhood, written in Magic Marker by his mother, who lovingly posted it on the refrigerator as a reminder to her family. Oldershaw has made these 10 thoughtful words his personal creed, and he credits his tireless commitment to serving the GLBT community to this familiar citation.
On an exceptionally clear Saturday afternoon—and after an early-morning training session for GLIDE, a community outreach program in L.A. that campaigns against homophobia—Oldershaw is taking a well-deserved break from public-service work. Standing on the peak of the mountain above Runyon Canyon on one of Los Angeles’ most picturesque hiking trails, he casts a serene gaze at a panoramic view of the city that the Fairfield, Connecticut, native now calls home. Despite the abundance of the usual eye candy on this popular trail—actor/model/waiter types working on their weekend cardio—heads not only turn when they pass Oldershaw, they often stop in their tracks and stare for a few seconds past the comfort level. Yet the handsome 30-year-old seems oblivious to the effect he has on his fellow hikers. A man of lesser character than Oldershaw might be tempted to trade on his charisma and classic good looks and have the city at his feet, but obsequious behavior is of little interest to him. Oldershaw is more interested in serving the GLBT community. “Like most people, I want to make a mark in the world. I find a big sense of responsibility and a huge sense of accomplishment working with the nonprofits,” he states firmly, assuredly.
Oldershaw belies the notion that young gay men are primarily interested in partying. His friends often rib him about his busy schedule, which leaves little time for dating and socializing. “I tend to juggle a lot of things at once, but I honestly find happiness in it,” he says. “I want to leave some footprints in this life.”
One way Oldershaw plans to achieve this goal is through his position as associate producer of digital content at Logo. “What Logo has the capacity to do, besides entertain the gay audience, is be socially responsible and open the eyes of people even within our community,” he suggests. A recent project that he feels has accomplished this is “LGBtotheT AtoZ,” an online alphabet he helped create for the reality series Transamerican Love Story. Each letter represents a biography or term of significance to the trans community. “I took great pride in it, as we had to be very responsible with the tone in which we presented it and still package it in bite-size, entertaining morsels for the audience.”
Even away from his demanding day job, Oldershaw can justifiably feel a sense of accomplishment. Besides having long stints on GLAAD’s Leadership Council, GLASS’s mentoring program and the Screenwriting Lab Selection Committee for L.A.’s Outfest under his belt, Oldershaw currently devotes considerable time to serving on the boards of several other nonprofits, including HOMOtracker and the Young Professionals Council, which he co-founded, both of which host fundraising benefits for the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center. “As vice chair of the YPC, [Andrew] works so hard and gives so much of his time to raise money and support for the Center that he’s not only an inspiration for other young people, he’s an inspiration to the staff. He gives us all hope for the future of the [GLBT] movement,” says Jim Key, chief public affairs officer for the Center.
The younger of two sons was raised in a postcard-perfect neighborhood by parents he calls “the two finest people I know in the world,” Oldershaw remembers that he was pressed to conform to what was expected of him at an early age. “It was a very cookie-cutter-type community. I learned very quickly that coloring outside the lines was frowned upon,” he confesses. “I went to boarding school because that’s just what you do where I’m from.” Boarding school provided the setting for Oldershaw’s first stirrings of teenage rebellion. After being caught drinking and smoking pot with his girlfriend, who happened to be the daughter of his faculty adviser—who was also the school chaplain—Oldershaw was put on probation. But he harbors no regret. “It was actually an amazing thing for me, as I was able to reinvest all the time and energy I was putting into partying and being popular,” he explains. “I couldn’t leave campus, so I was really invested in school and extracurricular activities.”
Upon graduating and being accepted to Penn, Oldershaw, unsurprisingly, became what he now deems “one of the cool kids” of his freshman class. “We all became fast friends when we all pledged the same Phi Delta fraternity, and because it had the reputation it did, suddenly all of us were much more in the social spotlight at Penn.” As this was happening, he was also grappling with his homosexuality and realized how difficult his path was going to be.
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To read the rest of Andrew's interview, pick up a copy of Instinct at your local newsstand—or order online here!
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Instinct Online 
written by terry on November 01, 2008
Smokin' hot!
written by peter on November 03, 2008
can't wait to get the oldershaw issue!
written by ChrisXY on November 03, 2008
Oh! My! God!
written by alex on November 04, 2008
great article on fabulous cover guy! The world needs more oldershaws
written by Elliott on November 04, 2008
What a handsome man, both inside and out. I can't wait to read the full interview. More like him please.
written by Danny on November 09, 2008
Great choice for a cover guy and good article on him. One question: Why are there no shirtless photos of him in the magazine? It looks like he has a killer body.
written by john on November 10, 2008
he's arrogant
written by derek on November 11, 2008
he's a role model
written by Adam on November 11, 2008
And on the 8th day God made Andrew Oldershaw!
written by Scott on November 13, 2008
I know this guy from LA. He's not as hot as he looks in these photos. And he's a total douche bag in real life.
Andrew, too bad you're so full of yourself.
written by fernando on November 16, 2008
He's so fucking amazing!
written by paul on November 16, 2008
I've seen Andrew at the protest rallies in L.A. and I'd say he's even more handsome in person than in these photos. I think Scott is jealous or got shot down by him.
written by Tim on November 17, 2008
I love the quote about Andrew giving us hope for the future. It's great to see the younger generation out there at the Prop 8 protests. Andrew is a man for the time.
written by Patch on November 18, 2008
shirt or no shirt, Andrew is devastating when he smiles! and it's contagious!
written by Stacy on November 21, 2008
Andrew is actually much more handsome than in these photos. They don't do him justice at all.
written by Brad on November 23, 2008
hot hot hot! would love to see more of this stud!!
written by budi on December 06, 2008
sexy guy with big tatto
written by Jared12 on December 08, 2008
he used to a hang out with a friend of mine. he is a prick and there is a lot of good lighting going on with the pics. he isn't as goodlooking in person.
written by gregory on December 08, 2008
i don't think he works at logo. he was let go with the recent layoffs. thank goodness he has so many non-profits he is interested in. he has time to help them out now.
written by Kyle98 on December 09, 2008
his chest is too big. it is out of proportion with his arms. the tattoos do a good job of making his arms look in proportion to his chest.
written by SEXY BIOCH on December 11, 2008
fingerliking good mmmmmmm so good
written by meemo on December 13, 2008
he looks like eddie munster. where is his dad herman?
written by naughty and nice but bad on December 17, 2008
Daddy I just wanted to say that I dam I would to wake up by you any day or time of the week baby. Hey whars up. Also you looken good. GREAT BOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
written by naughty and nice but bad on December 17, 2008
You think that you can do all my deeds. HaHaHA!!!!!!!!!!!!
written by Geoff on December 28, 2008
Too fake looking. It makes sense he lives in LA.
written by Rick on January 07, 2009
Seems like some pissy queens can't stand the fact that Andrew looks great and is ambitious. Save your hateful bitchiness for those working AGAINST our community. You go Andrew! See you in my dreams!