'White Collar's' Matt Bomer Officially Comes Out as Gay at Awards Show (Video)

9:54 AM PST 2/13/2012 by THR Staff

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Eric Odgen/USA Networks

The star of USA's hit series thanked his partner Simon Halls and his three children while accepting an honor at the Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards.

White Collar star Matt Bomer officially came out as gay on Saturday when he publicly thanked his partner, Simon Halls, and their three children while accepting an award.

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The star of USA's hit series attended the Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards this weekend, where he received the New Generation Arts and Activism Award for his efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

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“I'd really especially like to thank my beautiful family: Simon, Kit, Walker, Henry," he said onstage. "Thank you for teaching me what unconditional love is. You will always be my proudest accomplishment."

Bomer’s partner, Hall, is a publicist with Slate PR. He represents Ryan Murphy, Neil Patrick Harris and such production companies as Working Title.

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Bomer, 34, has previously declined comment when asked about his love life. In its January 2010 issue, Details magazine asked the actor if he cared about the rumors questioning if he was gay. He responded: “I don't care about that at all. I'm completely happy and fulfilled in my personal life."

He added: "I have a network and a show riding on my shoulders. I would say a big difference between my character and me is that I can be too trusting. And I've realized in this business that's not necessarily the smartest thing to be. I definitely have a thing or two to learn from the con artists."

Bomer will guest star in an April episode of Glee as Blaine's (Darren Criss) older brother. Bomer also has joined Glee creator Murphy's next feature, the big-screen adaptation of the Tony-winning drama The Normal Heart. Additionally, he stars in Magic Mike, the male stripper movie based loosely on Channing Tatum's own experience and set for release in June.

Watch Bomer’s acceptance speech below: