GLBT History Month is still a relatively new celebration. It was started back in the 1990s by teachers and community organizations who chose October as the month because public school is in session and National Coming Out Day occurs during this month. Endorsed by GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National Education Association and other associations, GLBT History Month became Equality Forum’s responsibility in 2006.
The son of two lawyers who ran a restaurant, Harris grew up in Ruidoso, New Mexico. He took up acting in the fourth grade, playing the role of Toto in “The Wizard of Oz.” When he was 15, his family moved to Albuquerque. That same year, he made his feature film debut in “Clara’s Heart,” for which he received a Golden Globe nomination.
When Harris was 16, he landed the leading role in the TV series “Doogie Howser, M.D.” The series ran for four years and earned him a second Golden Globe nomination as well as a People’s Choice Award.
Harris accepted the role of Mark in the Los Angeles production of “Rent” in 1997 and received a Drama League Award for his performance. He made his Broadway debut in 2002 opposite Anne Heche in “Proof.” Thereafter, he appeared as the Emcee in “Cabaret” and as Lee Harvey Oswald in Stephen Sondheim’s musical “Assassins.”
His star rose further with films “Undercover Brother,” “The Next Best Thing,” “Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle” and “Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay.”
In 2005, Harris joined the television series “How I Met Your Mother” as womanizer Barney Stinson. He received four consecutive Emmy Award nominations for this role.
He came out publicly in 2006, telling People magazine, “Rather than ignore those who choose to publish their opinions without actually talking to me, I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions.”
Harris has guest starred on dozens of television series, and received an Emmy Award in 2010 for his performance on “Glee.” He has hosted the Academy Awards, the Primetime Emmy Awards and the Tony Awards.
In 2010, he was named one of the 100 Most Influential People by Time magazine. Later that year, Harris and his long-term partner, David Burtka, had twins, Gideon Scott and Harper Grace. Harris and his family live in Los Angeles.
