Neil Patrick Harris And David Burtka: 'We Don't Go Out Of The Way To Stand On A Soapbox'

Bright, charming, charismatic, and out of the closet -- what better characteristics for a gay role model?

While Neil Patrick Harris might possess all of those qualities, he recently revealed that he isn't exactly comfortable with being positioned as someone others look to for leadership.

At the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's 40th anniversary gala last week, where he and partner David Burtka were honored, he told E!'s Marc Malkin, "I sort of go out of my way not to be Soap Box Johnny."

Harris noted, "We're super happy to lead by example, but even to define ourselves in any kind of leadership position I think is awkward... I cringe when I hear people say they consider themselves role models."

Burtka feels similarily. "We really don't do anything," he said. "We take care of our kids. We're in a relationship. We love each other, but we don't go out of the way to stand on a soapbox."

This isn't the first time that Harris has spoken out about his reluctancy to be labeled a role model. When asked about being an advocate for the LGBT community during a 2008 Out magazine interview he responded:

"My job is jester -- not advocate... I'm striving to be an example of normalcy. Because I'm noticed as an actor, people are aware of what's happening in my life, and that I can't change, and if I tried to, it'd be an uphill battle. I'd be angry and bitter."

Comments

[Jdjimbo]

07:19 PM on 11/21/2011

They are simply the best...just because they don't make a big deal out of it. Bravo!

[MJJBunny]

07:44 AM on 11/21/2011

NPH is an extremely talented young man with a husband and family he loves. It doesn't get any better than that. I love his work and wish him well. As far as being a role model, he lives a life that doesn't involve drugs or some of the other trappings of fame. That to me is a role model.

[itsjules]

03:54 AM on 11/21/2011

He's fantastic. Talented as hell, funny, self-aware, down-to-earth and self-deprecating. If there WERE to be a "gay role model," he'd be it. The fact that he doesn't see--or PROMOTE--himself as such just makes him more appealing.

People living their lives and raising their children and loving each other! Gender is irrelevant. Think of that! It's revolutionary!

Oh, um, and "reluctancy" is not a word.

[jerryatthebeach]

09:48 PM on 11/20/2011

Sounds like a desire for personal privacy more than anything. Does a gay person have to present themselves in some particular way. Is every gay man a hairdressr or bodybuilder? Do all heterosexual people procreate? This mass of 800 billion cells that we inhabit is just too complex for a label.

[chineygal]

06:51 PM on 11/20/2011

Doesn't David Burtka already have a set of twins from a previous partner? Why does it seem as if this is his first foray into parenthood? Has he laft them behind or no longer a parent to them?Has NPH ever made mention of being a step-father.? All the articles I see about this couple seem to imply that this is their first time as parents.

[playflute2]

03:40 PM on 11/20/2011

NPH and his partner have my respect for living their lives, not seeking the spotlight, and setting excellent examples for those who know or know of them.
To the HP editor, there is no such word as reluctancy. The word is reluctance. Sorry, but that was a typo that just screamed out at me.

[sionnachair]

05:47 PM on 11/20/2011

Thank you. The word reluctancy annoyed me too.

[itsjules]

03:55 AM on 11/21/2011

LMAO I put that in my post, too.

[gen230]

05:34 AM on 11/20/2011

Whether or not he considers himself a role model is beside the point. In my opinion he IS a role model ... the best kind ... one that leads by example rather than preaching or proselytising about it.

[itsjules]

03:56 AM on 11/21/2011

Exactly!

[Gary Till]

02:40 AM on 11/20/2011

Neil, if you don't want to be a role model, I suggest you do more nude scenes. Without the thingies in the way.

[joe1964]

11:24 PM on 11/19/2011

Of course he's a role model, the best kind. He has a great career, great kids, a great husband and, best of all, he doesn't think he's a role model. Too many times people set themselves up as icons because they succeed at sports or finance or whatever and then all the skeletons come out of the closet. Even worse is when a "role model" is trying to cash in as a role model.
Neil, please just keep on quietly living an exceptional life. That is what's truly inspirational for us all.

[Shelleyy]

05:03 AM on 11/20/2011

Agreed. He's been a class act since day one.

[linbuc6]

09:19 PM on 11/19/2011

i see haries is gay you cant miss that because gays are difrent the the real men also for god codemends gays god dit mad u like that god says any man who lays w another man should be kiled pluse if you are not real man what a bout a dresse? pluse i dont trust gays w kids they going to pass on to kids to be gays god knows what else? onley and america god mad adam and eve no stevei am proud i am a real lady thank you lord i w liks my coments to be post it because the freedom of speech still legal

[joe1964]

11:21 PM on 11/19/2011

This has GOT to be satire.

[1 of 18000 Ca]

11:34 PM on 11/19/2011

You need to buy a spelling book. An english grammer book would also help.

[Shelleyy]

05:02 AM on 11/20/2011

Oh, I don't know. I kind of enjoyed it as is. lol

[FormerlyTCnSRQ]

06:24 PM on 11/19/2011

sounds like he has it pulled together...good for him and his oartner and kids.

[CAELadyJane50]

05:08 PM on 11/19/2011

I am not a member of the LGBT but I watched Neil Patrick Harris on television. I just wanted to say I use the word "role model' alot but it has nothing to do with sexual preference. By role model, I mean a law-abiding citizen living normalcy ie. finishing education, staying off of illegal drugs, doesn't use profanity or foul language, respects others, etc. Sexual activities should be done privately and not in public; what is private should stay private.

[sionnachair]

04:47 AM on 11/20/2011

Umm, what sexual activities has he done in public? All he's done is say that David Burtka is his husband. Pretty much the way any straight celebrity would talk about a spouse. Well, except that Kardashian person.

[CAELadyJane50]

04:19 PM on 11/20/2011

To sionnachair: I am sooooooo sorry I said the wrong word, I meant "gender preference" not "sexual presference". I don't really care what people do in the privacy of their own bedrooms. Yes, you are right about Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, they are a proper couple just like straight couples.

[WheelsOnFire]

02:07 PM on 11/20/2011

So, CAELadyJane, you are against people wearing wedding bands?

After all, that's a declaration of their preferred type of sexual activity.

You oppose people talking about their spouses?

You insist that co-workers not display photos of their spouses on their desks?

All Neil Patrick Harris has ever done in public is mention that he has a same-sex partner. But you believe he should never have said that.

Then rip off your wedding band and throw it away along with all publicly displayed photos of your spouse or significant other. And no mention of that spouse or significant other, either. Ever.

[CarrieBurch1]

06:47 PM on 11/20/2011

I think you misunderstood...

[beardown]

12:02 PM on 11/19/2011

Harris is as far from a role model tht one could be!

[tonyg6996]

12:43 PM on 11/19/2011

How exactly?

[beingthebest]

12:44 PM on 11/19/2011

I'd be proud to call him my son, if he were. If my real son grew up gay, I'd be proud if he lead a normal happy healthy life like Niel

[legaleagle4]

11:52 AM on 11/19/2011

Everyone should have the right to live life the way they want as long as it does not infringe upon the rights of others ... NPH is a fantastic role model just by being himself; he should not -have- to "get up on a soapbox".

[itsjules]

03:59 AM on 11/21/2011

ARGH!! I meant to favorite and I hit flag!! I'm so sorry, it was an accident! I fanned you too, if that's any consolation? :s

[tidalwave4455]

10:32 AM on 11/19/2011

NPH leads by example: charming, nice, unapologetic, family man, monogamous. All opposite of what the far-right (x-tians) say we are.