Matt Bomer On Being Gay

“Magic Mike” star Matt Bomer and his partner, Hollywood publicist Simon Halls, were honored recently with the gay student advocacy group GLSEN’s Inspiration Award.

"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,” Bomer said during his acceptance.

"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…GLSEN gives visibility and authenticity to kids all across the country."

Bomer was presented the award by hottie Joe Manganiello, who said, "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," said Manganiello. The “True Blood” star went to college with Bomer.

Halls also noted, "Having kids teaches you so many things, and one of the things we both have learned in our parenting journey is how loving and accepting and open children's minds and hearts are," he said. "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 denounced by author Bret Easton Ellis when rumor had it that Bomer was in the running to play the erotic Christian Grey in a film adaptation of “Fifty Shades of Grey,” the writer saying “I don’t care how good an actor you are but being married to another man complicated things for playing CG.”

Bomer still remains a fan-picked favorite for the role.