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Monday, 22 October 2007

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Jake Gyllenhaal answers gay rumours

Hollywood star received homophobic hate mail

Jake Gyllenhaal has denied that he is gay or bisexual - but acknowledges that comments he made in the past have led to confusion.

The actor, 26, admits to saying, 'I don't think I'd be afraid of [homosexuality] if it happened,' after starring in Brokeback Mountain as a gay cowboy struggling to hide his sexuality.

But he now insists that his remark was misunderstood, and that he was trying to express acceptance towards gay friends and relatives.

'It wasn't meant to be provocative. I am not open to persuasion myself, but the idea of homosexuality is acceptable to me,' he tells the Sunday Telegraph.

'I grew up in a city where half the people I know are gay. Both of my godfathers are gay.'

Jake also firmly denies having had a homosexual encounter in the past.

'Nothing like that has ever happened to me,' he says. 'I live in a different world.'

Despite the fact that he was dating fellow Hollywood star Kirsten Dunst at the time, Jake received hate mail from homophobes after Brokeback Mountain came out.

'I got an insight into homophobia that I wouldn't normally have encountered.'

Hannah Davies