7 posts tagged “gayrights”
Stephen Colbert begins his "Better Know a Lobbyist" series with Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign.
Grey's Anatomy creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes released a statement today saying that Isaiah Washington's use of a homophobic slur at the Golden Globes was ''shocking and dismaying'' and that the show is working to ''address the issue in a way that underscores the gravity of the situation," reports Entertainment Weekly. I'm glad she has finally responded publicly to Washington's stupid-ass remark.
from Entertainment Weekly:
Washington apologizes for homosexual slur
"Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington issues an apology for slur against costar T.R. Knight after ABC calls his choice of words "unacceptable."
Grey's Anatomy's Isaiah Washington has issued a statement of apology after creating an uproar with his use of a homsexual slur in reference to costar T.R. Knight. ''I apologize to T.R., my colleagues, the fans of the show, and especially the lesbian and gay community for using a word that is unacceptable in any context or circumstance,'' Washington says in the statement, released Thursday night.
Backstage at the Golden Globes on Monday night, Washington told reporters, "No, I did not call (co-star) T.R. (Knight) a faggot" during an on-set incident last year. On Thursday, ABC Entertainment officially addressed the situation: "We have a long-standing policy to create and maintain respectful workplaces for all our employees," the network said in a statement. "We dealt with the original situation in October, and thought the issue resolved. Therefore, we are greatly dismayed that Mr. Washington chose to use such inappropriate language at the Golden Globes, language that he himself deemed 'unfortunate' in his previous public apology. We take this situation very seriously. His actions are unacceptable and are being addressed."
Also on Thursday, the gay and lesbian advocacy group GLAAD asked Washington to apologize for his behavior: "Washington's repeated use of (the slur) on-set and in the media is simply inexcusable," GLAAD president Neil Giuliano said in a statement.
Washington's statement:
"I apologize to T.R., my colleagues, the fans of the show, and especially the lesbian and gay community for using a word that is unacceptable in any context or circumstance. By repeating the word Monday night, I marred what should have been a perfect night for everyone who works on Grey's Anatomy. I can neither defend nor explain my behavior. I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I've asked for help.
"I know the power of words, especially those that demean. I realize that by using one filled with disrespect I have hurt more than T.R. and my colleagues. With one word, I've hurt everyone who has struggled for the respect so many of us take for granted. I welcome the chance to meet with leaders of the gay and lesbian community to apologize in person and to talk about what I can do to heal the wounds I've opened.
"T.R.'s courage throughout this entire episode speaks to his tremendous character. I hold his talent, and T.R. as a person, in high esteem. I know a mere apology will not end this, and I intend to let my future actions prove my sincerity."
I'm trying not to be too cynical about this apology. I'm just wondering if Isaiah is getting the same kind of "help" that Mel Gibson is getting for his Jew problem.
From AP - LOS ANGELES - A gay and lesbian advocacy group demanded an apology Wednesday from "Grey's Anatomy" co-star Isaiah Washington for comments made following the Golden Globe Awards. During a backstage interview Monday, Washington denied involvement in a heated on-set incident last year during which an anti-gay slur was reportedly uttered. "No, I did not call (co-star) T.R. (Knight) a faggot," Washington told reporters. "Never happened, never happened." On Wednesday, Neil Giuliano, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, said he had contacted Washington's representatives in hopes of meeting the actor to discuss "the destructive impact of these kinds of anti-gay slurs." "Washington's repeated use of it on-set and in the media is simply inexcusable," Giuliano said in a statement. Washington's publicist declined comment Wednesday. Knight, who said soon after the October fracas that he is gay, appeared in Tuesday's taping of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" to discuss the original incident and Washington's recent comments. "He referred to me as a faggot. Everyone heard it," Knight said of the October incident.
By the way, I DID NOT call Isaiah Washington an asshole. Never happened. Never happened.
Katherine Heigl is now officially one of my favorite people in Hollywood, after she publicly defended co-star T.R. Knight and put the smack-down on that asshole, Isaiah Washington. You go, girl!
From the Associated Press Jan 16, 2007:
Heigl Upset With Co-star's Comments
Grey's Anatomy star Katherine Heigl was not pleased with fellow castmate Isaiah Washington's comments following Monday's Golden Globe Awards. During an interview in the press room after the show's best-drama win, Washington denied his involvement in a heated on-set incident in October during which he allegedly used a homophobic slur. "No, I did not call (co-star) T.R. (Knight) a faggot," Washington said. "Never happened, never happened."
Rather than soothing the situation, his comments left Heigl seething. "I'm going to be really honest right now, he needs to just not speak in public. Period," Heigl told "Access Hollywood" at a Golden Globe after-party. "I'm sorry, that did not need to be said. I'm not OK with it." She called the comments "hurtful," characterizing the incident as one that should be handled privately among the show's cast and crew. "I don't think (Washington) means it the way he comes off," Heigl said. "But T.R. is my best friend. ... I will use every ounce of energy I have to take you down if you hurt his feelings."
Knight, who said soon after the October fracas that he is gay, appeared on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" Tuesday to discuss the original incident and Washington's recent comments. "He referred to me as a faggot. Everyone heard it," Knight said of the October squabble. Comments from Heigl and Washington were set to air Tuesday on "Access Hollywood." A call placed after hours Tuesday to Washington's representative was not returned.
At the Golden Globe awards, Isaiah Washington again denied calling Grey's Anatomy co-star T.R. Knight a faggot back in October. It's bad enough that Washington denied it again, but the WAY he did it makes my skin crawl. When a reporter asked series creator Shonda Rhimes about the incident, Washington literally RAN up to the microphone, cutting off Rhimes, and yelled "I did not call T. R. a faggot! Never happened!" And then RAN AWAY! Jesus Christ, Mr. Man, if you're going to jump up to the microphone and make a claim like that, then at least have the balls to STAY at the microphone to defend your claim when the reporters ask the inevitable follow-up questions. But no, Isaiah just shouts and runs away like a coward. It looked SO MUCH like the behavior of a spoiled brat with a guilty conscious, it boggles the mind. How old is this guy? Six?? Here is the video of the Golden Globes post-show press conference and Isaiah Washington's obnoxious stunt.
And here is T.R. Knight's reaction on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Knight really appears to be baffled and uncomfortable, as would be expected after Washington's unbelievably obnoxious and childish actions.
I love The Onion. And I love that they chose Austin as the setting for one of the photos for this article.
Nation's Gays Demand Right To Library Cards
Moderates Propose Increased Browsing Privileges
WASHINGTON, DC — In another salvo in the ongoing civil-rights battle, the Gay And Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation announced the formation of a broad new campaign supporting full library-card privileges for homosexuals.
"The time for gay people to be granted equal access to our public lending-libraries is long past due," GLAAD Fairness In Book Borrowing Campaign co-chair Elaine Thomas, a self-described committed lesbian and avid reader, said at a press conference outside the Library of Congress Monday. "We are demanding the same opportunity to select, borrow, and return library books—without regard to subject matter or Dewey decimal number—that any other American has. We are talking about a fundamental right."
GLAAD's announcement comes on the heels of a controversial decision in December by a Hawaii librarian to allow a gay Honolulu resident, Dean Farlaine, 47, to check out three books, which prompted strong protests from proponents of traditional library values. In response to the controversy, the Third Court Of Appeals reversed the card-granting decision. Further complicating the growing legal entanglements, Farlaine has reportedly been too intimidated by the periodic demonstrations outside the library to return the books.
Leaders of the library-cards-for-gays movement, who say some 10 million homosexual citizens are forced to check out books from a loose network of underground libraries each year, liken their plight to American women's long and historic struggle for borrowing privileges. Women were first issued library cards in 1936.
But opponents say the prospect of same-sex book-borrowing endangers the moral fiber of the country's most sacred reading traditions.
"What's next — gay people at the DMV, being granted licenses to drive cars?" Rev. Brian Peters of Verona, WI said. "Will we be soon seeing gays and lesbians at our local post offices, being sold stamps and mailing packages? We must protect our nation's public institutions from relentless encroachment by those who threaten our values."
Other critics say they oppose such a move not out of prejudice, but to maintain the sanctity of a bedrock community institution.
"No one's preventing gays from using libraries—they're fully welcome to walk into them, browse all they want, and sit down and flip through any book they choose, even in the reference section," said Sen. Jim Bunning (R–KY), one of several conservative legislators who has vowed to draft a constitutional amendment that would define library book-lending as a contract between a library and a heterosexual reader. "But to issue them the same library cards as a regular American citizen would demean what our nation's library cards stand for."
"Is that the message we want to send our young readers?" Bunning added.
Others, such as Mansfield, OH mother of four Janet Hargrove, say that because library books are public property and libraries are funded by taxes, taxpayer money should not be used to promote one group's reading agenda.
"I don't want my tax dollars going to something I can't in good conscience support," Hargrove, 32, said. "Who knows what kind of books these people could check out? They could read about anything—even our children."
Some moderates who believe the country is not yet ready for full homosexual library-card access are proposing to state and local lawmakers a compromise solution in the form of a limited-access "Short-Term Government Literacy Loan" card. While the card would grant some borrowing privileges, it would have higher late-return penalties, shorter borrowing times, and may not be recognized as valid by all libraries within the municipality in which it was issued.
"Perhaps in 10 or 20 years we can talk about full library rights for all," said University of Florida Library and Information Sciences Professor Bruce Seitz, who co-authored the proposal. "If gays are issued cards too quickly, we could see a violent reactionary response, with millions of shocked and offended Americans cutting up their own cards and their children's cards."
"For now, gays should just be happy to read their Bibles," Seitz added.
Such compromise solutions do not satisfy activists such as GLAAD's Thomas, who perceive "raging hypocrisy" within the cardholder status quo.
"Among U.S. library-cardholders, at least 50 percent are guilty of repeatedly keeping overdue books, and that figure is probably conservative," Thomas said. "Many don't even use their library cards. Seems like straight people do a good enough job demeaning the institution of book-lending by themselves."
