Black Stars Slammed by GLAAD
Florida Lt. Gov. slammed for "anti-gay" comments, plus more.
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Being Held Accountable - Did they go too far? Take a look several notable African-American personalities whose controversial statements caught the attention of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), an LGBT advocacy group, for all the wrong reasons.—Britt Middleton (Photo: Courtesy GLAAD)
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What Does a Lesbian "Look" Like? - When asked recently by a reporter whether she had an affair with a woman, Florida Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll said "Black women who look like me don't engage in relationships like that." GLAAD called Carroll's comments "anti-gay and sexist" and created an online petition demanding her apology. On July 27, Carroll released a letter of apology to Equality Florida, a gay and lesbian advocacy group, saying that as a Christian woman, she strives to "love and respect all people." (Photo: Shealah Craighead)
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Troublesome Words - “If a dude at your Super Bowl party is hyped about David Beckham's H&M underwear ad, smack the ish out of him!#superbowl,” Roland Martin tweeted on Feb. 5, a message that was immediately denounced by GLAAD and other critics, who called the tweet homophobic. The advocacy group initially called for the CNN hosts’ resignation, but it seems both Martin and GLAAD hope to smooth things over, as Martin met with the group in Los Angeles on Feb. 14. In a statement on its website, GLADD wrote, "The introduction is the beginning of an open and honest dialogue. Both parties came away with a better understanding of one another and look forward to continuing this dialogue." (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
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Unfavorable Punch-Line - In June 2011, while performing in Nashville, Tennessee, funny man Tracy Morgan’s routine was littered with anti-gay sentiment, including when he said he would stab his son if he whined about being bullied and how President Barack Obama should “man up” and stop standing up for gay youth. GLAAD would call for NBC, the station that runs Morgan’s hit show, 30 Rock, to condemn the comedian, and Morgan’s faux pas would even become fodder for an episode of 30 Rock. In his apology to the group, Morgan said that he wasn’t a hateful person and that his comments “went too far” and were “not funny in any context.” Morgan was invited to appear in a PSA for the group, but has yet to do so. (Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
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Hot Topics - The View’s Sherri Shepherd was also the target of criticism from the group when, on a June 2010 episode of the show, she alluded that increased rates of HIV among Black women were attributed to Black men who were on the “down low” — men who have sex with men but publically identify as heterosexual. The gay advocacy group issued a call for a retraction from the show. (Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
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Getting Personal - Along with Shepherd, comedian D.L. Hughley, a guest co-host on that Jun. 22, 2011, episode of The View, was asked to apologize for statements that GLAAD said perpetuated “dangerous” myths about gay and bisexual Black men. “ABC has a responsibility to its viewers to correct the information. Shepherd and Hughley’s comments fuel a climate of homophobia and racism,” the group said in a statement. Neither Hughley or Shepherd ever made an apology. (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Kobe’s Courtside Drama - In April 2011, Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 for shouting an anti-gay slur at a referee after being called for a technical foul. GLAAD immediately released a statement calling for the Lakers to be a better example to fans. The day following the incident, Bryant released a lukewarm apology that credited his offensive outburst to being caught in “the heat of the game.” Bryant did one better by appearing with several teammates in a Lakers-sponsored PSA, where the star called for the “understanding, compassion and acceptance” of all people, regardless of race, ethnicity or sexual orientation. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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Another Twitter Tirade - Twitter was also the unfortunate setting for 50 Cent’s anti-gay rant in Sept. 2010. "Perez Hilton calld [sic] me douchebag so I had my homie shoot up a gay wedding. wasnt his but still made me feel better," the star tweeted, adding a photo of two men in suits fleeing from an angry mob. GLAAD called for 50 to apologize for his hurtful words, but the rapper instead deleted the tweet from his account. (Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images)
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Platform for Hate? - Tyler, the Creator, the front man of the California-based rap group OFWGKTA (Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All), didn’t have long to bask in the glow from being named Best New Artist at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards. The artist's lyrics and music videos are known for their shock value and, following the rapper's win, GLADD slammed MTV and other TV networks for providing a “larger platform” for “anti-gay and misogynistic language.” “Given Tyler’s history of such remarks, viewers and potential sponsors should refrain from honoring homophobia and in the future, look to a more deserving artist,” the group said in a statement. (Photo: John Shearer/WireImage)