Viewers of  A&E's Bates Motel recognize this month's Attitude cover model, Freddie Highmore, as the show's creepy but compelling protagonist, young Norman Bates.

But even if you don't watch the show (which you should—it's really good), you probably known him from roles in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Finding Neverland, Arthur and the Invisibles and Toast.

[caption id="attachment_196762" align="alignnone" width="420"] Highmore and Ben Aldridge in "Toast"[/caption]

In the accompanying Attitude interview Highmore, all grown up at 23, talks about his support for the LGBT community and his hope that other young allies speak up when necessary.

"If a situation arises that you don’t agree with – like someone making a joke at the expense of the LGBT community – you have to speak up for it: Hopefully remain friendly but don’t let the moment go by," he admonishes.

Highmore says he's seen an improvement in his own lifetime.

"When I was at school, that phrase ‘you’re so gay’ suggesting weakness was commonplace and kind of acceptable – but at uni it was happily not used."

He doesn't think homophobia is inborn, which is why, he adds, positive role models are essential, "so that people can more easily gain confidence to freely express themselves."

But Highmore makes no bones about one phrase he'd rather not hear anymore: "'More tolerant.' Surely, it’s not about tolerating others as if they were a noisy neighbor, or that bloke on the tube with B.O? It’s about accepting that we’re all unique and that the world’s genuinely richer because of it."

You took the words right out of our mouth, Freddie.