Colin Farrell Takes a Stand Against Homophobia

By PopEater Staff Posted Apr 12th 2010 07:39PM

Colin Farrell may have a reputation as a Hollywood bad boy, but the actor has a long history of speaking out on behalf of worthy causes. The actor recently released a press statement on behalf of Irish LGBT advocacy organization BeLonG, whose 'Stand Up!' campaign aims to stop bullying based on sexual orientation. Of the bigotry often expressed toward LGBT individuals, Farrell says, "Intolerance is not genetically encoded -- it is taught. It is learned at home. It is learned in the classrooms and it is learned anywhere else we gather as a group... Bullying is torture, it is another betrayal of basic human decency and its scars reach way into the future of its survivors."

Farrell, whose older brother Eamon was the target of bullying, remembers feeling both confused and hurt upon realizing that his older brother was being singled out. He says, "People are often afraid of difference. They feel that anything that causes fear should be turned away from. My brother represented fear for so many people, but caused joy in my life. From a very young age, he made me laugh with his intelligence and wit, made me aspire to his strength and goodness. He was to be embraced."

Farrell says of his brother, who reportedly wed his partner last summer, "My brother was so forceful in standing up for who he was, and for the good that he knew was inside of him. Many people missed out on an opportunity, not only to enjoy him, but to enjoy themselves by embracing his "difference." They missed out because they saw him as a threat -- not as a testament to the kaleidoscope and diversity of this beautiful world."

Tags: bullying, Colin Farrell, gay rights, lgbt

Comments

(51)

Sunday 18 April

By Jay

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A poor speach, glad he was a good guy to you, however his actions are sick

Monday 12 April

By Robert

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Well said Colin!

Youtube

Another Black Season

By braindamaged2too

To: Jill
Get a life girl! And don't forget to change the batteries in your favorite little toy. Were you upset because for once, a celebrity wasn't out schlepping for their new movie or showing off their latest pair of silicone mammaries? At the very least give him credit for speaking out on an unpopular and controversial subject in a predominantly Catholic nation. If you've got something more inteligent to say......spare us!!!

Tuesday 13 April

By RainbowFlag

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SHE needs new batteries????

By lizzie

I care! Bravo, Colin Farrell. Well put and truthful. I admire your ideas and the fact that you took the time to express them.

By Mary D

Good for you, Colin. These folks who "don't care" most likely have not ventured out much in the world. A percentage of people are gay. Some are artists, whose art you enjoy. Some are doctors and scientists, whose services you rely on. Some cook beautiful meals at popular restaurants. They are your brothers, uncles, nephews, children and your neighbors. When are you going to realize that gay people are an integral part of our society and deserve the same rights as the rest of us?

By Haleigh

No they dont.

By kevin

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why so can go on pretending, your better or so you don't have to question weather you are straight or living a lie.you know your life is a mess & you know that the only way you can take control of it is by accepting the fact your are not living the life you were meant to live.embrace it & let go,step forward from that enclosure.

By robert

Gee Dennis, sounds like you might be a little GAY yourself. Thou doest protest to loud....lol.

By miles

Do you spend hours making up your own facts Dennis? Does this make you feel better about being gay Dennis? You actually are funny, just slightly pathetic. lol

By jerry

Perfectly said.

By BJ

Dennis
I so agree with everything that you said. It just amazes me how this thing managed to get so much sympathy from so many politcally correct idiots.

By Gina

BJ: your initals say it all! You sound about as ignorant as your name implies. Had one lately? Loser!!!

By Brian

So Dennis, do you tell people that you're normal? I would imagine you do, in which case I'll refer you to your previous statements.

In short, you're a joke on humanity....

By Mitch

Fantastically said Colin! People just don't realize what a gay person has contributed to their lives. We don't discriminate because people are straight; if we did the world would really be a big mess.

By Stephen Griffith

Really?? I seem to remember this being a political issue that's on the news fairly regularly. You may want to submit your request to pretend Gays don't exist to your local news oganizations, or political candidates. Better yet, I'll make you a deal. When who I love, and choose to spend my life with, is no longer a subject for others to debate, I'll drop it. Until then deal with it, or stick your head back in the sand.

By bill

Notice how this hollywood crowd is trying to push homosexuality like crazy? Alot of them claim to be gay even when they're not. There must be a big payoff for them.

By Tammy

Bill: notice how stupid some idiots make themselves look? Farrell isn't gay! His brother is and is proud of it and supports him like all good and decent people should. Ever heard of love thy brother? It's amazing how christians think they have the authority to decide who to love or not. Jesus would love "gays" if he were walking the earth right now and I would venture to say he did love "gays" back in the day because he was all about love. Why dont we all try it?

By critic#1

Homosexuals, child molesters, rapists, all perversions and all fall under the same category.

By Bret

Sad to see so many homophobic people in the year 2010. I guess that you are living in the dark ages built on your Bibles. Fiction and ignorance truly does breed insecure and hateful human beings. Why not put your energy into parting the Red Sea, maybe you'll create one of your miraculous events from the stone ages and get pictures this time around.Until you can base your book on something concrete keep it out of the worlds eyes and ears. Wine into water, water into wine ... walk on water, hey there is a good one. Give it a go. Yep, you're the normal ones.Call me crazy.

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