Tracy Morgan Returns to Nashville: 'I Didn't Mean It'
Tracy Morgan returned to Nashville on Tuesday to deliver an apology to gay advocacy groups and fans offended by his homophobic comments made at a stand-up routine earlier this month. Sitting at a GLAAD-sponsored panel table with Kevin Rogers, the man who sparked the controversy with a Facebook post, the '30 Rock' star tried to make amends for among other things, saying that he would "stab" his son if he were gay.
"I want to apologize to Kevin and people that were at the show for bummin' em out," Morgan began at the event held by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. "I want to apologize to my friends and my family and my fans and everyone in every community that were offended with this. I didn't know. I didn't mean it."
As he has done in other apologies since coming under fire, Morgan told the press conference that he believes he is not a hateful person.
"I don't have a hateful bone in my body," he said. "I don't believe that anyone should be bullied or just made to feel bad about who they are. I totally feel that, in my heart, I really don't care who you love, same-sex or not, as long as you have the ability to love."
Since first apologizing on June 10, Morgan has met with homeless lesbian and gay youth in New York City. He agreed to the Nashville meeting at the request of GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. As to the sincerity of Morgan's commitment to gay rights,
PopEater spoke to his close friend Russell Simmons, who believes the actor will walk the walk.
"He said to me, 'I ain't got s--t to do and I want a cause.' He says he wants to work for GLAAD and that he has found a calling and a cause. I believe he is sincere," Simmons said. "People have to learn and be educated and Tracy is a guy who comes from a community that is homophobic which is why he can be so helpful."
Rogers spoke before Morgan at the event and seemed convinced that Morgan had just made a "huge mistake" at the June 3 show.
"I was mainly just saddened by the words had to say that night because I had always assumed that Tracy was an ally to the LGBT community," Rogers told the gathered press. "So in the weeks since then, and seeing what actions that Tracy has taken upon himself to go out into our community and try and make a difference. I had the opportunity to speak with Tracy prior to coming here and he shared his genuine concern with his words and has promised me that his actions going forward are going to be positive of my community."
He added, "I greatly appreciate what he said and that he came back to try to right what I believe was just a huge mistake."
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Good for Tracy. 180 degrees, he turned it around and is making a difference and teaching other people how to love, not hurt people.
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Wow, what is it like in the fairy tale world you live in? No moron, it is called "damage control", he meant every word he said when he said it on stage he just never thought there would be a crap storm develope over slamming gays.
HE IS A DIRTY RACIST NIGGRUH THAT SHOULD BE PERMANENTLY BANNED FROM TELEVISION FOR GOD.
@ Alice. Say that word again so the world can fully understand the depth your ignorance. Your momma and your daddy dropped the ball. Now we're left you!
grovel you politically correct morons. The nuts are running the asylum. Pathetic
That's very sad to see Tracy Morgan being panicked and keep apologizing repeatedly. I understand that in Hollywood, it could end his career. I hate political correctness crap. No, I do not support homosexuality, but telling some jokes about killing a gay is not encouraged. Tracy, calm down.
I only hope he is truly sincere...and not apologizing just to win his fans...its hard enough for gays and Lesbians as it is without having celebrities criticizing...
We all make mistakes. I'm just glad he realized it before the press blew it out of proportion.
Yeah right. I've never even heard of this guy before this so I'd be willing to bet he meant it then and is just apologizing now to save sales and face. Okay, maybe not face, he did go far enough to hug the guy -- Most dudes from Nashville would settle with a hand shake. XD
*not homophobic, btw*
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YOU Must be Gay !
I hope his career survives. I really think he is funny.
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ENOUGH Tracy!!!! How many time do you have to apologize, its starting to look like this is more for publicity than remorse.
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he can apologies as many times as he wants, it's your choice to read about it or not
Tracey, one should only have to apologize once.
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im sure he wouldnt kill his son if he was gay, but i think the point he was trying to make came across very plainly, of course he has to apologize, it would mean millions. but thats hollywood
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I blame Bush for this.
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hhahhaha Ed, you made me snort when I read that
Yyeeaaa Ed. too funny
that made me laugh too...and snort! too funny, thx Ed!