Cyndi Lauper at the San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade (Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Keeping in mind how much celebrities can and do sway public opinion—the entertainment elite like to weigh in on everything from politics to human rights—we decided to applaud those stars who openly celebrate the LGBTQ people they love. Without further ado, here are some of the most poignant, dare-we-say-heartwarming quotes from the lips of of the legendary, about trans, lesbian or gay family members.
Colin Farrell on his Gay Brother, Eamon
"People are often afraid of difference. They feel that anything that causes fear, should be turned away from. My brother represented fear for so many people, but caused joy in my life. From a very young age he made me laugh with his intelligence and wit, made me aspire to his strength and goodness. He was to be embraced. To many of the students of his school however he was to be feared. He was to be turned away from. I didn't understand it then, and I still don't know." —STAND UP! Campaign statement, 2009
Chris Evans on his Gay Brother, Scott
"We spent the whole day together, got to the city, had some beers in my hotel room, got into a really great talk, and he came out. I was so glad that he did. That’s got to be a difficult transition, but I come from the most liberal household you have ever heard of . . . I think my mother was praying for [both of] us to be gay, so at least she got one of us." —Advocate interview, 2009
Cyndi Lauper on her Lesbian Sister, Ellen
"I reached out to the [LGBTQ] community a while ago when I did 'True Colors' and I got a lot of letters that were very moving. Lots of teenagers who had just come out and were depressed about their parents disowning them. Some were suicidal, some were just sad. And it was a lot for me, because my sister is a lesbian—and she's one of the most fantastic people I know. It's a family issue. If you can't vouch for people in your own family, who are you going to vouch for?" —Metroweekly interview, 2002
Anne Hathaway on her Gay Brother, Michael
"The whole family converted to Episcopalianism [from Catholicism] after my elder brother came out. Why should I support an organization that has a limited view of my beloved brother?" —British GQ interview, 2010
Laura Ingraham (Yes, that Laura Ingraham) on her Gay Brother, Curtis
"In the 10 years since I learned my brother Curtis was gay, my views and rhetoric about homosexuality have been tempered, because I have seen him and his companion, Richard, lead their lives with dignity, fidelity and courage." —Washington Post interview, 1996
Cher on her Transgendered Son, Chaz
"My child is a wonderful child. [Despite some who will reject his decision to switch genders], there are more who’ll hear Chaz talk and say, ‘Oh, what a lovely person.’" —Ellen interview, 2011
