Isaiah Washington
heads to counseling

After months of tension on the Grey's Anatomy set after costar Isaiah Washington spouted antigay remarks, he will admit himself to counseling, possibly to save his job.

"I regard this as a necessary step toward understanding why I did what I did and making sure it never happens again," Washington said in his statement. "I appreciate the fact that I have been given this opportunity, and I remain committed to transforming my negative actions into positive results, personally and professionally."

According to Life & Style, Washington was spotted entering a counseling facility at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

In October, Washington was allegedly involved in an altercation with cast member Patrick Dempsey after Washington used an antigay epithet against cast mate T.R. Knight on the set. Knight later announced he was gay after the altercation went public.

On January 15, talking to the press after the Golden Globes ceremony, Washington denied making the comment: "No, I did not call T.R. a faggot," he said. "Never happened; never happened."

Later that night, Katherine Heigl, another cast mate, told Access Hollywood, "I'm going to be really honest right now: He needs to just not speak in public. Period. I'm sorry, that did not need to be said. I'm not OK with it."

Days after the Golden Globes, Knight appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to discuss the incident. "He referred to me as a 'faggot,'" Knight said on the show. "Everyone heard it."

The show's creator, Shonda Rhimes, released a statement Wednesday calling Washington's use of such language "shocking and dismaying" that "insulted not only gays and lesbians everywhere but anyone who has ever struggled for respect in a world that is not always accepting of difference."

Rhimes said in the statement that the show's cast, crew, Touchstone Television, and ABC have been working to reach a resolution. "We applaud and encourage Isaiah's realization that he needs help and his subsequent choice to seek immediate treatment for his behavioral issues," she said.

In the past week Washington has met with both the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network. (The Advocate)