Here's GLAAD video of comedian Tracy Morgan's news conference today in Nashville. Morgan apologized to the lesbian and gay community after an anti-gay rant during his June 3 show in Nashville.
By CHRIS TALBOTT, AP Entertainment Writer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Comedian Tracy Morgan delivered a personal apology Tuesday to gay advocacy groups and Tennessee audience members who were offended by an anti-gay rant during his show there earlier this month.
Morgan met with the gay rights advocates and some attendees of the June 3 show before addressing reporters at the Nashville Convention Center. He did not take questions.
"I don't have a hateful bone in my body," he said. "I don't believe that anyone should be bullied or just made to feel bad about who they are."
It's the second public apology from the "30 Rock" actor. He met with homeless lesbian and gay youth Friday in New York City. Morgan agreed to the Nashville meeting at the request of Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation President Jarrett Barrios.
The former "Saturday Night Live" cast member is known for an outrageous, unpredictable comedy style where few subjects are taboo. He's tackled homosexual themes and characters before with little outcry. But even Morgan admits he went too far during his June 3 show at Ryman Auditorium.
He said during his set that if his son were gay, he would "pull out a knife and stab" him, among other anti-gay statements.
Audience member Kevin Rogers was offended by Morgan's routine and his posting on Facebook brought widespread attention to its content. Morgan spoke with Rogers and others there that day before he addressed reporters.
"As a fellow comedian and actor, I applaud Tracy Morgan for his efforts in speaking out against anti-gay rhetoric, which unfortunately is still regularly expressed in some stand-up comedy acts," said Jason Stuart, co-chair of the Screen Actors Guild National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Actors Committee. "The Screen Actors Guild National LGBT Actors Committee appreciates Tracy's efforts to both learn from this experience and use this as a teachable moment. We fully support Tracy's message that discrimination has no place in today's society regardless of where it is practiced."
is he doing it for his career ?
Posted by: broward resident | June 21, 2011 at 04:14 PM
This so-called apology was scipted by his attorney and agent to salvage his career. It's only making him look more pathetic....if that's possible.
Posted by: Peter North | June 21, 2011 at 05:11 PM
Tracy man, poor Tracy! He got a bad case of footinmouth! Hopefully his case is curable. Sometimes it is almost fatal. If you think I am lying ask Tim Harttaway. Thank God for the Miami Heat or he might be out on the street! One of the worst things that can be contracted is footinmouth, simply because it is a self-imposed condition. Just because you think something, you can not always say it. I have my own opinion about gays and lesbians and bi-sexual people, but you will never hear me say how I feel, because it is no one's business but mine. And, even if I didn't care for them, I'd never say it. I am just not into making trouble for myself or others. Besides, whether someone is straight or gay is between them and God. And,I am not God, obviously; I am Shakespeare
Shakespeare
Posted by: Shakespeare S. Shakespeare | June 21, 2011 at 10:02 PM