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)

Tuesday 13 April

By Brad

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I will ask again, to the duped dopes who think being gay is a choice. When did YOU make your choice to stop liking boys? When did you DECIDE you would go after girls. Was it a huge struggle to fight off those desires you obviously must have had for the same sex?

By Roseyoungstewart

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The name Colin even though spelled differently from Colon still sounds like the same word so it all reminds me of one thing. I would never name a child after a body part that changes food to waste.

By Motown Caesars

The media is obsessed with him.

The story out of the Masters should be about Phil.

By Stephen

Colin Farrell is an extremely beautiful man physically and has just shown how beautiful he is as a loving and caring human being. I've been around this world for 63 years and have seen prejudice, racism, hatred, and homophobia control and negatively impact people who really don't understand how to express and feel love and human kindness toward people different from them. Colin Farrell is a person who can make a difference in people's attitudes. Thanks, Colin! I'd like to shake your hand and give you a man to man hug.

By jessmcalli

It's not a matter of fear. Honestly, I could care less what gays choose to do with thier lives. What irritates me, is the "militant" gays, parading thier sexuality around, throwing it in people's faces. I don't care. I don't throw the fact that I like women in your faces, so keep the gay pride nonsense to yourselves, and I personally would have no issue.

By DR Tim

JILL, YOU SAY WHO CARES... WELL, DUMB ONE, MANY PEOPLE, MILLIONS OF PEOPLE CARE....PEOPLE WHO ARE GAY OR FREINDS AND FAMILY OF GAY PEOPLE...WHO WILL REFUSE TO BE PUT DOWN AND BULLIED ANYMORE BY IGNORANCE....THE SAME IGNORANCE YOU ARE SHOWING BY ASKING WHO CARES.
MOST PEOPLE HAVE GAY RELATIVES OR FRIENDS..IF THEY KNOW IT OR NOT. SO IF EVERYONE OPENS THEIR EYES, AND FOLLOWS THE WORDS OF JESUS AND OTHER GOOD RELIGOUS PEOPLE....DONT JUDGE.

By Dan

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I'm not gay, but I do have gay friends, and I trust and respect them more than anyone else. Not including my family. Who they choose to sleep with does'nt bother me. What I do know is when I do need a FRIEND, They're there, and we all need a friend at some point. To all the people who have something against gays. YOU ARE PATHETIC.

By getreal13

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Why do they call it homophobia. People hate, dislike, or just don't want anything to do with homos, but it's not a phobia. A phobia is a fear. Nobody fears queers.

Wednesday 14 April

By Gary

getreal3: you need to get real! Who made you an expert on phobias? And to not understand or accept something you dont agree with usually stems from a fear of the unknown. Loser!

By Tyrone

As a black former Marine and college football player who happens to be also a proud gay man getreal3 you should and would fear me if we ever crossed paths. Trust;)

Tuesday 08 June

By lmodear

Colin, you are the man. As a person who has many gay friends, Colin is exactly right when he says the homophobes are missing out on some great people and great friendships. I have always liked Colin Farrell; this just gives me one more reason.

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