Oscarnominated star is fast becoming an icon to gay men and women around the worldas he continues to speak out about gay marriage and equality.

Brad Pitthas long been a firm favourite of gay men the world over ? no surprise there!But his gay ?icon? status shifted up a gear last year when he donated $100,000to the campaign to defeat a Californian law that bans same-sex marriages. The?Inglorious Basterds? star and his partner Angelina Jolie initially made publictheir support for gay unions in a 2006 edition of Esquire Magazine where Pittstated that he and Jolie would not consider marriage until it was ?legal foreverybody?.

Whilst thegay marriage debate continues to elevate in the U.S. Pitt again publicly lendshis support in the current issue of U.S. newspaper magazine Parade?I have love in my life, a soul mate - absolutely. When someone asked me whyAngie and I don't get married, I replied, ?Maybe we'll get married when it?slegal for everyone else.? I stand by that, although I took a lot of flak forsaying it. I believe everyone should have the same rights. They say gaymarriage ruins families and hurts kids. Well, I've had the privilege of seeingmy gay friends being parents and watching their kids grow up in a lovingenvironment?

DespitePitt's support, ?Proposition 8? ? a ballot initiative banning same-sex marriage- was voted in by the Californian public last November. Gay marriage has beenlegalized in six of the 50 U.S.states.

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