One of the nice things about being gay and famous, is that shortly after you come out, you tend to get some awards. Magic Mike and White Collar star Matt Bomer picked one up over the weekend from GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network), where he and his partner, Simon Halls, were given the Inspiration Award.
Bomer, who came out publicly in February, used to opportunity to talk about the difficulties of growing up gay and in the closet, and his feelings about the problem of bullying that LGBT teens still face. He said, “When I was in high school, there was no safe haven, there was no outlet for you to speak your mind. So I did what any self-preserving 14-year-old would do – I signed up for the school play and also the football team to cover my tracks. When that happens, when you aren’t allowed to speak about who you are, one of the most authentic parts of who you are, which is who you love or who you’re attracted to, feels invisible.”
He added, “Unfortunately, in some parts of the country, some kids are taught at an early age that being different is somehow bad or wrong or worthy of ridicule…Kids aren’t born to be bullies, they’re taught to be bullies.”
Bomer was handed the gong by Magic Mike co-star Joe Manganiello, who commented, “You are the example that the rest of our country needs to wake up and see in terms of equality and putting an end to the bullying epidemic and making sure that every family is respected in our schools and our society.” (Source: E! Online)