Juan Pablo Galavis, star of the ABC
reality series The Bachelor, on Tuesday said that he was
prepared to do more to help advance LGBT rights.
The 32-year-old former Venezuelan
soccer star said last month that he would be opposed to the dating
show featuring a gay or bisexual bachelor looking for love.
“I don't think it is a good example
for kids to watch that on TV,” Galavis said.
The single dad noted that he has many
gay friends and co-workers. But Galavis was also quoted as saying
that gays were “more pervert, in a sense.”
Galavis later apologized, saying that
he respects gay people and blamed a language barrier for his poor
word choice.
In
a statement given to GLAAD, Galavis said that he would be okay if
his own daughter turned out to be gay.
Galavis' complete statement follows.
“Recently I said some things that
were very problematic and have led the public to question my feelings
about gay, lesbian and bisexual people.”
“Although it has been a difficult
situation and I've apologized for the misunderstanding, I do think
something good can come out of this and that is that I now have the
opportunity to say what I do feel. During an interview, I used a word
that did not at all express what I meant to say.”
“I never meant to criticize the idea
of gay people. The reality is I have no problem with same-sex couples
who want to be parents. I'm a father and so I know how it feels, I
definitely want my gay friends to have that feeling. Watching the way
so many of my friends treat my daughter Camila – like family – I
can see how much my gay friends want to be parents – and how good
they will be at it. If Camila happens to be gay when she grows up, I
will respect her, support her and love her the same as I do now.”
“When GLAAD representatives shared
with me some stories, and told me how often LGBT people are attacked
verbally and physically, assaulted and even murdered, this helped me
reflect on this situation. I could understand a little better the
calls I received from gay and straight friends. And it made me think
why not do more to help, so it’s time to speak out.”
“I wish, of course, it had not come
about the way it did, but I'm glad that this situation can be an
opportunity to help people accept and respect the LGBT community. As
human beings, we should all think about how to make society better so
that each individual feels respected.”