Matt and Simon Accept GLSEN Award

  Matt Bomer and his husband Simon Halls accepted the Inspiration Award from the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network. They received it for meaningful contributions toward creating a world where every child learns to respect and accept all people. Matt and Simon are raising three sons together.

You can watch their acceptance speech here.

Matt talked about growing up gay in a Texas high school.

"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. 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 is who you're attracted to, feels invisible. GLSEN gives visibility and authenticity to kids all across the country."

Simon spoke about what their children have taught him.

 "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. 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."

Congratulations to Matt and Simon.