LOOK: ’Arrow’ star Stephen Amell shuts down ‘homophobic’ netizens
Apart from gunning down bad guys as his on-screen persona Oliver Queen in the hit “Arrow” series, Stephen Amell is a big supporter of the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender and Queer) community.
Although he identifies himself as straight, the 36-year-old Canadian actor has been an avid supporter of the movement and was spotted at the Vancouver Pride Parade over the weekend.
Amell shared a couple of photos of himself on Facebook during the event—an image of him wearing a balloon peacock-like formation on his back and another one with his wife, Cassandra Jean—which received favorable comments from his followers.
However, he also could not escape internet trolls who questioned the images with anti-gay sentiments.
“Suppose that a child has cancer. Because of sex homosexuality there will be no human being on the ground and there will be no doctors to treat the disease,” one person wrote, as relayed by The Huffington Post.
Article continues after this advertisement“By doing this, you are disrupting the common sense created by God,” another chimed in.“Had more respect for you before these posts.”
Article continues after this advertisementMeanwhile, some said the funds used for the event should have been allocated elsewhere.
“For the amount of money they spent on that crosswalk they could have improved the schools, opened a new shelter or improved police officer equipment,” a commenter said. “But no they had to make a political statement.”
Amell addressed the nasty comments with a follow-up post, and said he won’t let such negativity persuade him from supporting the LGBTQ community.
“I had a fantastic weekend in Vancouver with my wife and friends, met some terrific people and more than anything just tried to soak in all the positive energy from people living their best lives,” he wrote. “If I’m in Vancouver next year I won’t just go back, I’ll walk in the parade.”
Known primarily as superhero on screen, Amell made it clear that he was a defender of LGBTQ rights by posting an edited version of one of his photos, aiming at his detractors. Khristian Ibarrola /ra
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