Jesse Tyler Ferguson: I was bullied, too

[WillParkinson]

Jesse Tyler Ferguson: I was bullied, too
By The Associated Press
10.11.2010 6:00pm EDT

(Beverly Hills) It was a night to celebrate, but the mood was subdued on the arrivals line at the GLSEN Respect Awards, presented by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.

ABC’s Emmy-winning sitcom “Modern Family” was honored Friday night for its portrayal of a diverse America, including a family headed by a gay couple, played by actors Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet.

And yet some of the event’s celeb attendees said the recent string of widely reported bully-inspired gay-teen suicides is proof that acceptance still has a long way to go.

“I do have the same sort of mixed feeling, in the light of everything that’s happened,” noted Ferguson, who is openly gay. “However, I think an event like this echoes the sentiment that we need to change. This cannot continue happening.”

The Emmy-nominated Ferguson, 34, said he was “very bullied” in school.

“I actually had to leave eighth grade and go to another school because it got so bad, so I certainly sympathize with these kids,” he noted, adding that bullied students should keep reminding themselves that school won’t last forever. “Honestly, back at my 10-year reunion, I didn’t even remember any of those bullies’ names. Frankly, they weren’t doing nearly as good as me. So, it was very vindicating.”

http://www.365gay.com/news/jesse-tyler-ferguson-i-was-bullied-too/

[joeybee12]

1. Even on television he loks like a small guy...yeah, gay, small in stature, so

I'm sure some kids were pretty ruthless.