Julia Roberts Stands Up To Bullying: Follow The Golden Rule
Julia Roberts took a stand against bullying at a lunch for the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN). The network is devoted to creating a safe and accepting environment for all kids, including LGBT students. Roberts has recently become a passionate advocate of their cause.
“My friend Dave Karger called to say ‘Hey, would you mind? George Clooney auctioned off a lunch to raise money for this event,’ ” Roberts told People. “And I just said ‘Yes, of course, I would do the same. I hope you make a dollar!’ ”
The event was a booming success, and it helped to raise awareness for their cause through the Oscar-winning actress and mother. George Clooney has also been a long-time supporter of the cause, and the duo have spoken passionately about how bullying and non-acceptance are hurting society. Most notably during her speech, Julia shared the following.
“It all comes down to the simplest thing – to treat others the way you want to be treated. People that are truly, deeply unkind are the ones that lack any real knowledge of what they are talking about or who they are talking about.”
She also explained that the cause of all forms of discrimination goes back to ignorance. She applauds GLSEN for their efforts to educate the world around them and raise awareness and support for those that are struggling.
“People who truly struggle, they just want to be heard,” she says. “If you would just give them one little moment of your time and let them explain who they are and how they feel, it’s such a tiny graceful thing to offer anyone. And when they get that, the sky’s the limit.”
This message was directed to the GLSEN community directly, but it also serves as a powerful reminder to everyone in the education system. This message can be used for good to help those who either struggle with being bullied or who do the bullying themselves.
She spent more time focusing on trying to buoy up those that have been brought down by the effects of bullying.
“People who truly struggle, they just want to be heard. If you would just give them one little moment of your time and let them explain who they are and how they feel, it’s such a tiny graceful thing to offer anyone. And when they get that, the sky’s the limit.”
Julia Roberts and her husband of 13 years, Danny Moder, have long been noted for their humanitarian work and the betterment of society. She and her husband were honored by GLSEN with the Humanitarian Award. In her speech, she shared that it’s her husband and her three children that give her the strength and the courage to stand up for what’s right and be the bigger person, both when it comes to bullies and welfare needs. Watch her humble acceptance speech below.
In the speech and during many of her events, Julia pays homage to her husband, who was integral in helping her make and produce the film The Normal Heart, which follows the story of a doctor seeking a cure for AIDS.
She explained that her husband helps her feel like everything will be just fine, even when things get hard. This quells many of the divorce rumors that have been circulating in the wake of two unexpected celebrity divorces, that of Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert, and Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale.
Roberts also admitted to Daily Mail at a recent charity event that her husband chose her outfit, and that she’s still “obsessed” with him after 13 years of marriage. This was confirmed by their flirtatious behavior the whole night.
It looks like the Julia Roberts and Danny Moder humanitarian and goodwill duo will live on for a while longer.
[Image via Frazer Harrison / Getty Images]
