Harry Potter Wants To Put A Spell on Homophobia
Feb. 26 2010, Published 8:34 a.m. ET
Harry Potter’s Daniel Radcliffe is videotaping a public service announcement for gay suicide prevention and speaking out against homophobia. RadarOnline.com has learned.
"I have always hated anybody who is not tolerant of gay men or lesbians or bisexuals," the 20 year old star says. "Now I am in the very fortunate position where I can actually help or do something about it."
On Friday, the superstar taped the PSA and toured the New York Call Center for the Trevor Project, the leading 24/7 suicide prevention organization for gay and questioning youth.
Daniel says his sensitivity to homophobia started at an early age. "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" 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.”
Radcliffe, who described himself as '”gently eccentric” and “slightly different” says "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.”
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He adds "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."
It's All Hogwarts, All the Time
Daniel Radcliffe is putting his money where his mouth is, he’s is among the Trevor Project’s largest donors.
Other celebrity donors are Meredith Vieira, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jodie Foster, Neil Patrick Harris and Anne Hathaway.
The Trevor Project Hotline 866—488-7386
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