Fans Protest Alice Ripley's Gay Slur

Broadway star Alice Ripley issued a public apology after using a gay slur, but this may not be enough for fans who will protest her show Thursday night.

Ripley, who stars in Next to Normal, used the gay slur in a Facebook posting last week. The post read, "This frustrated actor, I won't say [gay slur] is my new best friend!"

Ripley followed up with a statement today on her Facebook page where she referred to her previous post as "careless and thoughtless." She went on to say, "I've always supported the gay community and will continue to do so. I'm embarrassed and I apologize."

Supporters on Ripley's Facebook page accuse the online world and media of overreacting. One poster writes, "She is not now, nor has she ever been a homophobic person ... People who hide behind their screen names on chat boards and say mean things are cowards ... I stand with Alice!"