Modern Family Star Opens Up About Being Bullied

Openly gay Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Ferguson recently spoke on the fact that he was harassed and bullied in school.

“I left school in the eighth grade and I went to a different school,” Feguson said recently at the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network’s Respect Awards. “It was hard. It was a horrible, horrible experience.”

“I’m sure a lot of it was rooted in homophobia. I mean, I was an ‘artistic,’ kid, which was AKA gay,” he said. “I think a lot of people sensed that I was gay and were terrified of that. I think bullying comes from fear and insecurity. I was friends with the more eccentric, granola type kids who got teased, too,” Ferguson goes on to say. “But you know what? We’re the movers and shakers of the world now.”

When asked if he thinks Modern Family could possibly tackle the subject someday, Ferguson responds: “I don’t know if it’s too heavy. I certainly can see Manny [Rico Rodriguez] being bullied, not necessarily for being gay but just for being different.”

Well Jesse, all we have to say is that you’ve surely outgrown and out-shined you’re bullies. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them are the millions of viewers that tune in to watch the hilarious character you play we all know an love on Modern Family.

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