CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
UPDATE: 11:55 a.m.
Comedian Tracy Morgan is apologizing for going too far in an onstage tirade against gay people -- even joking about killing his own son if he were effeminate, according to a member of the audience.
"I want to apologize to my fans and the gay & lesbian community for my choice of words at my recent stand-up act in Nashville," he said in a statement issued to The Advocate. "I'm not a hateful person and don't condone any kind of violence against others. While I am an equal opportunity jokester, and my friends know what is in my heart, even in a comedy club this clearly went too far and was not funny in any context."
Watchdog groups -- including Truth Wins Out, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, and the Human Rights Campaign -- called on the 30 Rock star to explain himself after an account surfaced online of the meltdown. Morgan's strange series of jokes came while in Nashville on June 3, playing at the 2,300-seat Ryman Auditorium, and the audience reportedly egged him on with hoots and cheers while others walked out.
Audience member Kevin Rogers took to his Facebook page to describe the scene. Rogers said Morgan joked that "women are a gift from God and that 'Born this Way' is bullshit. Gay is a choice." Morgan is said to have called gay people "mistakes." Morgan said lesbians just hate men and don't have real attraction to women, according to Rogers's account.
On bullying in schools, Morgan is said to have advised gays to "quit being pussies" and stop whining. Then, Rogers said, Morgan talked about killing his son.
"He said if his son ... was gay he better come home and talk to him like a man and not [he mimicked a gay, high pitched voice] or he would pull out a knife and stab that little N (one word I refuse to use) to death," Rogers wrote on Facebook.
Although Morgan has come under scrutiny before for telling an audience at Carnegie Hall that being gay is a choice, this latest addition to his act would be pushing the boundaries of what's appropriate much further.
Evan Hurst, social media director for Truth Wins Out, is from Tennessee and knows Rogers from his work with the Tennessee Equality Project, and that relationship gave him enough confidence in the account to warrant attention.
"We are pretty thick-skinned around here because you have to be," Hurst said of Tennesseans, who have endured a recent spate of antigay legislation. "And for the number of people who were going, 'I am genuinely offended by this, this is hurtful, and this is meant to hurt,' I think we are looking at something different here."
"We call on him to remove these violently anti-gay remarks from his show and send a strong message that anti-gay violence is not something to joke about," said GLAAD president Jarrett Barrios in a statement.
The venue for the show distanced itself from Morgan with a statement issued today to The Advocate.
"The Ryman Auditorium regrets that people were offended by statements made by Tracy Morgan during his June 3 appearance," the statement reads. "The Ryman does not control the content presented by people appearing on its stage, nor does it endorse any of the views of, or statements made by such persons."
lucasgrindley
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
18 of the most batsh*t things N.C. Republican governor candidate Mark Robinson has said
October 30 2024 11:06 AM
True
After 20 years, and after tonight, Obama will no longer be the Democrats' top star
August 20 2024 12:28 PM
Trump ally Laura Loomer goes after Lindsey Graham: ‘We all know you’re gay’
September 13 2024 2:28 PM
60 wild photos from Folsom Street East that prove New York City knows how to play
June 21 2024 12:25 PM
Melania Trump cashed six-figure check to speak to gay Republicans at Mar-a-Lago
August 16 2024 5:57 PM
Transgender 18-year-old Jazlynn Johnson shot to death in Las Vegas
May 14 2024 2:08 PM
Latest Stories
Who is Susie Wiles, Donald Trump's pick for White House chief of staff?
November 07 2024 9:25 PM
Jamie Lee Curtis sends love and support to LGBTQ+ folks, allies, and others post-election
November 07 2024 6:20 PM
Yes, Republicans who vowed retribution are now admitting Project 2025 is real
November 07 2024 6:13 PM
Spate of racist text messages goes out after Trump's election
November 07 2024 6:09 PM
We elect presidents that reflect who we are, and in Trump, America proves to be inherently selfish
November 07 2024 5:53 PM
Despite Trump’s election, a glimmer of hope as transgender candidates win elections nationwide
November 07 2024 3:23 PM
Trending stories
Recommended Stories for You
Lucas Grindley
Lucas Grindley is VP and Editorial Director for Here Media, which is parent company to The Advocate. His Twitter account is filled with politics, Philip Glass appreciation, and adorable photos of his twin toddler daughters.
Lucas Grindley is VP and Editorial Director for Here Media, which is parent company to The Advocate. His Twitter account is filled with politics, Philip Glass appreciation, and adorable photos of his twin toddler daughters.