'Family' honored for portrayal of diverse America

[October 09, 2010]  BEVERLY HILLS (AP) -- The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) honored sitcom "Modern Family" for its portrayal of a diverse America.

But the mood on the arrivals line Friday night was subdued in the wake of a recent string of widely reported bully-inspired gay-teen suicides.

Openly gay "Modern Family" actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson said he was "very bullied" as a child and that it got so bad he had to change schools in eighth grade.

Others at the event included Ferguson's co-star Sofia Vergara, as well as actress and "Dancing With the Stars" competitor Florence Henderson, who credits "The Brady Bunch Variety Hour" for her large gay fan base.

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Online: http://www.glsen.org/

[Associated Press; By MIKE CIDONI]

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