GLAAD CONDEMNS ISAIAH WASHINGTON'S OUTBURST
In the wake of Grey's Anatomy actor Isaiah Washington's anti-gay outbursts, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) condemns the actor's use of the word "faggot" and is calling on him to publicly apologize and make amends for uttering the slur twice in the last four months. "When Isaiah Washington uses this kind of anti-gay slur — whether on set or in front of the press — it does more than create a hostile environment for his cast mates and the crew of Grey's Anatomy," GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano said. "It also feeds a climate of hatred and intolerance that contributes to putting our community in harm's way." Echoing GLAAD's stance is Grey's Anatomy castmate Katherine Heigl and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. Both stars defended T.R. Knight — the victim of the offensive slur who is now openly gay following Washington's verbal attack. Knight appeared on DeGeneres' show Wednesday to discuss the ongoing off-screen drama.
"As Ellen pointed out in her discussion with T.R., this is a word that's used to abuse kids on school playgrounds," Giuliano said. "We also know that, tragically, this sometimes can be the last word people hear before they're attacked, beaten and possibly even killed. Washington's repeated use of it on-set and in the media is simply inexcusable."
GLAAD will be contacting Washington's representatives today to coordinate a meeting with him. "We want to sit down with him and give him an opportunity to raise public awareness about the destructive impact of these kinds of anti-gay slurs. Over the past four months Washington has become part of a significant problem of anti-gay prejudice in this country. He has an opportunity now to be part of the solution."
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