Gossip Teen

Actor Daniel Radcliffe is a passionate supporter of The Trevor Project, the national helpline for suicide prevention for LBGTQ (lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender and questioning) youth. Radcliffe was in New York City this week to film a PSA (public service announcement) for the organization.

“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,” the British actor added. “Now I am in the very fortunate position where I can actually help or do something about it.”

The Trevor Project has supporters such as Ellen DeGeneres and Neil Patrick Harris and Radcliffe’s commercial will air this spring.

Get more information about The Trevor Project at their website here.

Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe has stepped up to the plate to support The Trevor Project. The nationwide non-profit organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth provides counseling and a round-the-clock suicide prevention hotline for teens in crisis. By donating time and money, Radcliffe has become an essential part of the group’s program of support and help for teens and young people who are having trouble dealing with sexual orientation issues.

“I am very pleased to begin my support of The Trevor Project, which saves lives every day through its critical work,” said Daniel Radcliffe. “It’s extremely distressing to consider that in 2009 suicide is a top three killer of young people, and it’s truly devastating to learn that LGBTQ youth are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. I deeply hope my support can raise the organization’s visibility so even more despondent youth become aware of The Trevor Helpline’s highly trained counselors and Trevor’s many other resources. It’s vitally important that young people understand they are not alone and, perhaps even more important, that their young lives have real value.”

The actor is committed to ‘setting a meaningful example’ and hopes to do more in the future with the organization. This is a bold step for a young actor – to come out and put his money to a cause that is polarizing for so many people and truly embrace diversity. Bravo Daniel!

Learn more and go to The Trevor Project’s website here.

photo source: Joseph Marzullo/WENN.com