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Colin

Colin Farrell has spoken out against homophobic bullying.

The actor, who has previously revealed that his brother is gay, participated in Irish organisation Belong To's week-long campaign to end such oppression, reports Perez Hilton.

Farrell said: "I can't remember much about the years of physical and emotional abuse my brother Eamon suffered. I was very small. The thing I do remember though, quite literally, is blood on his school shirt when he came home in the afternoon. The beatings and taunting were very frequent for my him and a constant part of his school years.

"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 now."