Star Robbie Rogers Team Up for GLSEN Gay Rights Gala
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Kerry Washington may have just married an NFL star, but it's a soccer hottie she's going to be hooking up with in October.
The Scandal star and openly gay LA Galaxy player Robbie Rogers have been named as honorary cochairs for the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network's upcoming Respect Awards.
"GLSEN is on the front line of keeping kids safe from bullying in our schools," Washington said in a statement. "That's absolutely a cause that I support and believe in."
Rogers added, "GLSEN levels the playing field for kids who are bullied simply for being themselves. Any help I can lend to that effort…any way I can make these kids lives a little bit easier, that's what I'm going to do.”
Rogers publicly announced he was gay in February. When he joined the Galaxy in May, he became the first openly gay male athlete to join Major League Soccer or any of the other major North American sports leagues.
This year's GLSEN gala takes place at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 18.
Among last year's honorees were Matt Bomer and his partner, Hollywood publicist Simon Halls.
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"When I was in high school, there was no safe haven, there was no outlet for you to speak your mind," the White Collar star said while accepting the Inspiration Award with Halls. "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 who you're attracted to, feels invisible," he continued. "GLSEN gives visibility and authenticity to kids all across the country.”
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