Jim Carrey Speaks Against Homophobic Bullies

Jim Carrey who played a man who came out of the closet in the film ‘I Love You Philip Morris’ has spoken out against bullies who target victims on the basis of their sexuality.

“This is a horrible thing to be bullied, and to feel like an outcast is a terrible thing,” the star said. “It’s just so an old thing, an old antiquated way of thinking that you can’t have any more. It doesn’t belong in the new paradigm.

“Every time you look at somebody and think, ‘I don’t like that about that person,’ you just got to know that’s about you,” he added.

“Anybody who bullies anybody for any reason is no friend of mine. Frankly, I can’t imagine hitting a human being for any reason except self-preservation, if I was attacked. Your sensibilities are different when you’re a school kid and there’s gang mentality, but it ain’t cool.

“Some of the most valuable people in my life are gay.

“People that bring magical, amazing gifts and contributions to my life. I would say to kids out there when they’re engaging in these kinds of isolations of people, someday you’re going to want those people in your life. You’re going to need those people in your life, and you’re not going to want that on your conscience.”

Madonna Talks with Ellen DeGeneres About Gay Bullying

Madonna has spoken out against homophobic bullying, calling it “torture”.

She appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres show yesterday by video-link.

The superstar, referring to an apparent spate of suicides among gay teenagers, said: “The concept that we are torturing teenagers because they are gay – it’s unfathomable.

“It’s like lynching black people or Hitler exterminating Jews. Sorry if I’m going on a rampage right now but this is America. The land of the free and the home of the brave.”

Madonna said that she could relate to teenagers who feel isolated because of their sexuality or gender identity.

“I still feel different,” she said. “I can totally relate to the idea of feeling isolated and alienated. I was incredibly lonely as a child, as a teenager. I have to say I never felt like I fit in in school.”

She said she was taken to a gay disco by a gay ballet teacher, who “told me it was good and okay to be different…and ironically made me feel I was part of the world and it was okay to be different”.

The star also thanked the gay community for backing her.

The gay community “has been incredibly supportive of me” she said. “I wouldn’t have a career if it weren’t for the gay community.”

Today is Wear Purple Day (aka Spirit Day) in Support of LBGT Bullying

Today is "Wear Purple Day," also known as "Spirit Day." Join millions to show your support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth by wearing purple to participate in Spirit Day and remember those teens who have taken their own lives as a result of anti-LGBT bullying. Like Tyler Clementi, who jumped off the George Washington Bridge after his college roomate and friend videotaped his private same-sex sexual experience and streamed it onto the internet.

Spirit Day was created by teenager Brittany McMillan earlier this month, in response to the recent spate of LGBT youth suicides, due to bullying. Spirit Day now counts millions of Americans committed on Facebook to wearing the color purple on Wednesday, October 20th, 2010.

On October 2nd on her tumblr blog Brittany posted:

It’s been decided. On October 20, 2010, we will wear purple in memory of the recent gay suicides. Many of them suffered from homophobic abuse in their schools or in their homes. We want to take a stand to say that we will not tolerate this. Purple represents Spirit on the LGBTQ flag and that’s exactly what we’d like all of you to have with you: spirit. Please know that times will get better and that you will meet people who will love you and respect you for who you are, no matter your sexuality. Please wear purple on October 20th to remember all the lives of LGBTQ youth that have been lost due to homophobia. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors and schools.

As Brittany mentioned, purple symbolizes 'spirit' on the rainbow flag, a symbol for LGBT Pride that was created by Gilbert Baker in 1978. The goal of Spirit Day is to show LGBT youth who are victims of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment that there is a vast community of people who support them. As the event’s Facebook page says: "This event is not a seminar nor is it a rally. There is NO meeting place. All you have to do is wear purple."

GLAAD's blog even offers instructions on how to turn your Facebook and Twitter profile pics purple.

Lance Bass Admits He Used to Bully Gay Kids

Pop star Lance Bass has admitted that he used to join in with teasing gay kids at school to hide his own sexuality.

The former N SYNC singer, 31, has been speaking out against homophobic bullying after a spate of suicides in young gay men.

During an interview, TV host Larry King said: "You made fun of gay kids in high school to hide your own secret?"

Bass replied: "That's right".

He added: "When you're 13, 14, you just go along with what the other people are doing. You just want to fit in. You want to make sure that your friends like you. So yeah, you're going to crack jokes, you're going to laugh along with it. And when you're a teenager, you're not really thinking, 'Oh, I'm being a bully by laughing along with it.'

"You think, 'Okay, a bully's just someone that can physically go and harm someone for being short, for being black, white, whatever'.

"But you know, you're also a bully by condoning the behaviour and making the jokes along with them… I mean… it's definitely to impress your friends… I think that's the main reason people do bully, is to look cool in front of your friends. But you've just got to realise you're not being cool at all. I mean, it's the stupidest thing to do."

Bass, who is now known as an entertainer and producer, came out in 2006.

In a message to gay young people, he said: "They don't realise that in a few years that all goes away. It all gets so much better… You will leave those people behind and they won't have anything to do with [your] life… Life gets so much better.