Daniel Radcliffe Speaks Out For Gay Suicide Prevention

NEW YORK — Daniel Radcliffe is explaining why he has just filmed a public service announcement for The Trevor Project, the leading organization focusing on suicide prevention efforts among gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered youth.

Because his parents were both actors, "I grew up knowing a lot of gay men and it was never something that I even thought twice about – that some men were gay and some weren't," the "Harry Potter" megastar said Friday. "And then I went to school and (for) the first time ... I came across homophobia. ... I had never encountered it before. It shocked me.

"I have always hated anybody who is not tolerant of gay men or lesbians or bisexuals," he added. "Now I am in the very fortunate position where I can actually help or do something about it."

The result is a PSA that was filmed Friday at the organization's Wall Street offices. The announcement is scheduled to air sometime this spring.

Radcliffe first became aware of The Trevor Project, founded in 1998 by three filmmakers, while he was appearing on Broadway in the 2008 revival of "Equus." Their movie, "Trevor," which won an Academy Award for best short film, concerned a gay teen who attempts suicide. The Trevor Project allows young people to call in for counseling or just to talk.

"I have described myself as being 'gently eccentric' and slightly different as a person just because I've had a very different set of influences growing up than anybody else in my peer group did," the 20-year-old Radcliffe said. "I've always felt very lucky to have the life that I've had. I never had to cope with anything serious about my religion or sexual orientation or anything like that.

"I think it's important for somebody from a big, commercial movie series like 'Harry Potter' and particularly because I am not gay or bisexual or transgendered. ... The fact that I am straight makes not a difference, but it shows that straight people are incredibly interested and care a lot about this as well."

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On the Net:

http://www.thetrevorproject.org

Comments

[hallowellboy]

09:58 AM on 03/01/2010

You are a STAR Dan.

[DevonTexas]

09:39 AM on 03/01/2010

Reading the posts... it's a bit of a shame that the focus is on Daniel rather than the Trevor Project and Gay teen suicide. I appreciate that Daniel gave his time to this project. It's sorely needed. But the spotlight should be on the problem not the celebrity.

[Haastnooit]

12:30 PM on 03/01/2010

That's always the case with causes and the celebrity that supports them. But the reality is that without the celebrity there wouldn't be any attention to the problem at all!

[Good Reason News]

02:33 AM on 03/01/2010

A short, good looking, straight, pro-gay rights atheist?! Am I, in fact, Daniel Radcliffe?!

[hippie4ever]

01:16 AM on 03/01/2010

Are you posters really offended by Mr. Radcliffe's misuse of the word "hate" or is it fairer to say he makes you uneasy? He isn't gay yet supports the rights of often-despised gay youth. Imagine that.

Thank you, Mr. Radcliffe. You must have a wonderful family.

[Caru]

07:20 PM on 02/28/2010

Quote:
"I have always hated anybody who is not tolerant of gay men or lesbians or bisexuals,"

He for a good cause and all, but could people think before they speak?

[cef911f1]

04:55 AM on 03/01/2010

Yes, a poor choice of words, but an admirable position none-the-less.

[Velvettazz]

09:18 AM on 02/28/2010

Good Show Daniel. It's heartening to see a humanist for a change.

[gardengranny]

08:38 AM on 02/28/2010

Interesting that he uses the word "hate" in an interview about tolerance.

[xstevejx]

09:10 AM on 02/28/2010

He's intolerant about intolerance! ;-) Yeah, perhaps he coulda said "despise" or something less than "hate."

[gardengranny]

09:18 AM on 02/28/2010

A friend of many years doesn't understand that her granddaughter - age 5 - is
"color-blind", and doesn't describe pre-school classmates in terms of race or ethnicity.

I tried to explain that fortunately, her grandchild has grown up - thus far - without institutionalized racism, and for that she should be glad.

Seems it was that way in reverse for Mr. Radcliffe - he grew up without prejudice toward gays and cannot understand others' bias.

I may not like bias of any kind toward others for their sexual orientation, race, religion, political views, etc., but I also would not say I "hate" those who don't share my tolerance.

[johnmorgan]

04:37 PM on 02/28/2010

Why is that interesting or surprising?

[saima kahn]

08:29 AM on 02/28/2010

daniel's interview http://bit.ly/dkGaEG

[gremlin1]

07:00 AM on 02/28/2010

Congratulations to Daniel's parents for raising such a compassionate young man. And, thank you, Daniel.

[Agentlady007]

01:41 AM on 02/28/2010

Thank God he is not a patsy. i would have to work a lot harder to turn him around, and yet the darling cured his own self worth before any man his age, which makes him a wizard of his own right in spae and reality. he is a Warlock now. God Bless him, and may he always stay as sane as Dr. Bomboo.

[whitegayrepublican]

02:01 AM on 02/28/2010

A patsy? what a dumb and bigoted comment

[Chem is she]

01:27 PM on 02/28/2010

holy crow, are you unstable.

[Boredmonkey]

12:31 AM on 02/28/2010

He grew up quite nicely I would have to say.

[Tulka2]

11:43 PM on 02/27/2010

What a good boy. I'll bet his parents are proud today.

[shimari]

11:28 PM on 02/27/2010

Thank goodness he didn't call them "totally gay suicides."

[TeraWatt60]

11:26 PM on 02/27/2010

Republitarian --- what ever will you do when homophobia becomes as inappropriate as the blatant racism and sexism that used to send you Conservachumps into a lather when it was no longer "tolerated" --- damn those intolerant libruhls ---

I assume since we are heading into spring you'll be an equal opportunity curmudgeon and harass straight kids holding hands or expressing any affection for their sweetheart? Oh no they would be "normal" , right? If by normal you mean the majority, true, but then again so would Left handed people be abnormal by that definition. Being gay is no different if you remove the scales of bigotry and view it objectively.

The reason that Daniel R. is making this PSA is because the very type of misguided thinking and behavior associated with your "belief" (since it certainly is NOT based on fact) is what drives many gay kids to take their own lives. Essentially to "tolerate" bigotry is to condone repugnant superstitious behavior and falsehoods that cost kids their lives. I for one refuse to be an accomplice

[Agentlady007]

11:02 PM on 02/27/2010

All my sons friends tell him in nineth grade he looks like Harry Potter. Even last year in Middle shool they changed the grades to houses for a few months. I feel sorry for my son because his TV production teacher just emailed me today saying he has been tardy, and not ready to join the group. Well, when you are late to a group meeting, does anyone feel like doing the bunny hop in a second hand notice? It''s the fear of driving. I think my son had a bad experience with his granpa and almost hit a tree during a summer visit, and now he is afraid to drive. i think he is not telling me maybe he hit a tree and did not know what a break is. His grandfather is almost 77.

[shimari]

11:29 PM on 02/27/2010

I totally disagree with you!

[RBLRDR]

10:03 AM on 02/28/2010

What the .......?