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Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Ben Cohen: Straight People Don't Get It

Ben Cohen: Straight People Don't Get It

By Jeremy Kinser
BEN COHEN SIDE x390 (fair) | ADVOCATE.COM
Rugby superstar turned equality activist Ben Cohen says that a lot of straight people don't get why he's fighting antigay bullying and discrimination, in a new interview with NBC Miami.

Cohen, who is straight and the 10th highest point scorer in England rugby history, retired from the sport to create the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation, which raises awareness for the long-term effects of bullying. Cohen says he was inspired to create the foundation after his father was killed trying to break up a fight in a nightclub.

Cohen reveals, "A lot of straight people have asked, 'Why are you doing this?' I just explain that it really is just to break down stereotypes. I knew I would be able to speak to both the gay and straight community and maybe reach a few different groups of people. I just want people to know that how you treat others is how you should want to be treated yourself. Random acts of kindness are simple."

Coehn was honored last night by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force at their annual recognition dinner at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach.

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