Gay dad and “White Collar” star Matt Bomer talks about growing up gay

Matt Bomer, star of USA Network’s White Collar knew he was gay when he was a teenager, but coming out wasn’t an option. “When I was in high school, there was no safe haven, there was no outlet for you to speak your mind,” the 34-year-old actor said at GLSEN’s Respect Awards, where he was honored with the Inspiration Award. “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.

His partner, Simon Halls, one of Hollywood’s most powerful publicists, spoke of his and Bomer’s three sons. “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.”

[via E! Online]