Actor Jonathan Bennett has opened up about growing up in an environment so homophobic he developed stomach ulcers.
Bennett, 40, took to Instagram to share the story to coincide with Spirit Day, the annual celebration that encourages people to wear purple as a sign of anti-bullying solidarity with the queer community. The Mean Girls star offered the tale as a means of inspiring other LGBTQ youth experiencing bullying that life can–and does–get better.
“I give you a video of a 16-year-old gay boy in Ohio,” Bennett wrote. “He has a pitchy voice, no rhythm, and can’t dance to save his life. He’s awkward, his teeth are too big for his face, and he lives in fear every single day because he doesn’t fit in with the rest of the boys in his class. He constantly gets pushed into a locker by an assh*le named Justin and when he walks down the halls he gets called a faggot.”
“He cries himself to sleep every night and develops stomach ulcers because of the stress and the homophobia in his small town,” he further confessed. “He thinks really dark thoughts and lives miserably in secret.”
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Bennett then goes on to reveal how his love of theatre saved his sanity, as it became a place of refuge and support. “He isn’t ridiculed for being different, he’s CELEBRATED,” Bennett recalled. “He’s not a loser, they actually make him a STAR. ”
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“So to celebrate today, grown-up Jonathan wants to say thank you to every single person who has ever had anything to do with any theater anywhere at anytime,” he continued. “If you were an actor, a stage manager, lighting, sound, wardrobe, front of house, back of house, even if you just bought a ticket and supported theater. You did so much more than that. You made a safe place for so many struggling little Jonathans out there.”
“To anyone reading this that identifies with my story, know that you are not alone and that you are a star and you deserve to shine bright,” he concludes. “The curtain’s up, the stage is set, all the little Jonathan’s out there… ‘You’re on!'”
Bennett of course would go on to make a career for himself built out of his love of theatre. He became a bonafide star in 2004 with the release of Mean Girls, and would go on to score roles on Smallville, Veronica Mars and in The Christmas House, the first LGBTQ-themed Hallmark Christmas movie. Most recently, he appeared in the indie comedy Potato Dreams of America. He also would find love, getting engaged to fiance Jaymes Vaughn in 2020.
AxelDC
But he’s such a cutie today!
spiralx
They usually do. Steam Room Stories: The Movie plays with this idea beautifully.
Seth
Halloween Wars has definitely suffered without him hosting.
mozzer
It really has! Cant stand that Zak Bagans and new host.
THAT Steve
Made me tear up. Glad he survived.
skeldare
This is a great story, but it was posted back in March. Not on Spirit Day.
Jim
Poor baby. The only gay man in the world gets ulcers!
Sorry, I’m in my late 60’s
Yes, it is true the younger generation has it much better.
For one thing you get accolades for coming out. OF course that’s why they “come out.”
cliche guevara
Dear Boomer –
Please come back when you can post a coherent thought.
Thanks.
Cam
It’s cute when the right wing troll tries to pretend that it’s actually LGBTQ so it can attack anyone out of the closet.
Your troll game is sad and weak.
KyleMichelSullivan
I’m in my late 60s, too, Jimbo, and lived too damn much of my life in homophobic Texas. I never got ulcers, but did (and still do) bite my nails to the quick. Other habits, too. I’m glad things are better in much of the country, now; but there are too many areas where it still isn’t and kids get kicked out of their homes or killed for not being perfect little boys and girls. Too bad you’re so self-interested you don’t care about that.
dale hankins
Absolutely adore Jonathan Bennett. Miss him on the Food Network shows and hoping he will be in the sequel to The Christmas House. I am 70, I turned 18 a month after Stonewall. I have seen a lot in the last 52 years and I know that even though times have changed and it is somewhat easier for people to live openly, it is still hard for many teenagers to accept themselves in many cases it is not for many who find themselves kicked out of their homes and living on the street. Jim you may be 60, but you apparently do not have a compassionate bone in your puny little body