Gay Groups Call On Tucker, MSNBC To Apologize For Assault Remarks

Two major gay rights groups -- the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network -- have released statements condemning remarks by MSNBC's Tucker Carlson about assaulting a man who "bothered" him in a men's room.

From GLAAD:

GLAAD Calls on Tucker Carlson, MSNBC to Apologize for Insensitive Remarks Condoning Violence

August 29, 2007

New York, Wednesday, August 29 - The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) today called on Tucker Carlson, NBC News and MSNBC to apologize for remarks made on Tuesday night that appear to condone violent assault.

On the Tuesday, Aug. 28 edition of "MSNBC Live with Dan Abrams" MSNBC host Tucker Carlson referenced an incident from his past when he was the recipient of an unwanted advance from another man. Carlson told program host (and MSNBC General Manager) Dan Abrams and fellow MSNBC host Joe Scarborough that after being "bothered" by a man in a restroom in a Washington, D.C., mall, Carlson returned "with someone [he] knew and grabbed the guy... and hit him against the stall with his head, actually. And then the cops came and arrested him." Abrams and Scarborough are seen chuckling throughout Carlson's telling of the story.

Earlier today, GLAAD called Abrams' office to discuss NBC News and MSNBC's response to Carlson's behavior. Abrams' office responded with an e-mailed statement attributed to Carlson, which read:

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Let me be clear about an incident I referred to on MSNBC last night: In the mid-1980s, while I was a high school student, a man physically grabbed me in a men's room in Washington, DC. I yelled, pulled away from him and ran out of the room. Twenty-five minutes later, a friend of mine and I returned to the men's room. The man was still there, presumably waiting to do to someone else what he had done to me. My friend and I seized the man and held him until a security guard arrived.

Several bloggers have characterized this is a sort of gay bashing. That's absurd, and an insult to anybody who has fought back against an unsolicited sexual attack. I wasn't angry with the man because he was gay. I was angry because he assaulted me.

The statement is not only a failed attempt to justify Carlson's advocacy of violence, but also changes key details of the previous night's on-air story. First, Carlson does not repeat his assertion that he "hit him against the stall with his head," instead changing his story to say that he "seized the man and held him down until a security guard arrived." The security guard element is also newly invented. In his on-air statement, Carlson said that "the cops came and arrested him."

"Carlson's story was difficult to watch on two levels," said GLAAD Senior Director of Media Programs Rashad Robinson. "To see someone brag on national television of returning, with an accomplice, to the scene of an unwanted advance to violently attack the person who made it is incredibly disturbing. But it was also hard to watch because of the sheer absurdity of most of what Carlson was saying."

"Whether Abrams and Scarborough were laughing with Carlson or laughing at him, the fact remains that MSNBC and NBC News have some explaining to do about their standards and practices," Robinson said. "They need to explain whether bragging about physically assaulting a man in response to an unwanted advance is appropriate on-air behavior for one of their employees, and whether laughter by two others is an appropriate on-air response."

PLEASE CONTACT NBC NEWS AND MSNBC TODAY. Ask Tucker Carlson to apologize and ask NBC News and MSNBC if Carlson's on-air comments are reflective of their network's standards and practices.

Allison Gollust

Senior Vice President of Communications, NBC News

[e-mail]

212.664.3220

Jeremy Gaines

Vice President of Communications, MSNBC

[e-mail]

201.583.5000

Leslie Schwartz

Director of Media Relations, MSNBC

[e-mail]

201.583.5000

Tucker Carlson

Host, "Tucker"

[e-mail]

201.583.5000

From GLSEN:

GLSEN Outraged by MSNBC Host Tucker Carlson's Comments About Assaulting Gay Man

GLSEN, or the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is outraged and horrified by MSNBC host Tucker Carlson's revelation Tuesday night insinuating that as a high school student he once assaulted a man for a perceived sexual advance. GLSEN is calling on Carlson to issue an apology and disavow violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people as reprehensible and unacceptable.

"Tucker Carlson's casual acknowledgment perpetrating such a violent act is shocking and sends a dangerous message to youth that physical assault based on actual or perceived sexual orientation is acceptable," said GLSEN Deputy Executive Director Eliza Byard. "Countless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth are bullied, harassed and assaulted at school every day. MSNBC and Carlson need to make it clear that violence in this case was an unacceptable reaction."

More than a third of LGBT students (37.8%) reported being physically harassed (being pushed, shoved, etc.) at school in the past year because of their sexual orientation in GLSEN's 2005 National School Climate Survey. Additionally, 17.6% of LGBT students reported being physically assaulted (punched, kicked or injured with a weapon) in school in the past year because of their sexual orientation.

To watch the clip of Carlson's comments or learn more about the incident and others like it, visit Media Matters for America at www.mediamatters.org.

About GLSEN GLSEN, or the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students. Established nationally in 1995, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. For more information on GLSEN's educational resources, public policy agenda, student organizing programs or development initiatives, visit www.glsen.org.

Comments

[amanda85]

I have been bothered by men (strangers) making all sorts of indecent proposals. Does it mean I'm allowed to kick them where it hurts the most?
Good to know...

[Ramirez]

Now that I've thought about it...

No. Just turn, walk away from the urinal, and leave the mens room.

[amanda85]

So, the restroom is some kind of "sacred" place where rules and laws suddenly change and a gay man can legally be flogged to death for making VERBAL advances, right?

Would it be OK if a gay man propositioned you in another place? My guess is, you'd still feel "authorized" to beat him to a pulp. But, of course, when you hit on a woman with your sexist remarks, trying to "get her in the sack", then everything is peachy, right?

[jazzman]

Please. Consider the source. It's Tucker Carlson.

Credibility = 0
Ratings = 0

[amanda85]

I have been bothered by men making all sorts of indecent proposals. Does it mean I'm allowed to kick them where it hurts the most?
Good to know...

[Ramirez]

Sure, if they come at you in a public restroom.

[amanda85]

So, the restroom is some kind of "sacred" place where rules and laws suddenly change and a gay man can legally be flogged to death for making VERBAL advances, right?
Would it be OK if a gay man propositioned you in another place? My guess is, you'd still feel "authorized" to beat him to a pulp. But, of course, when you hit on a woman with your sexist remarks, trying to "get her in the sack", then everything is peachy, right?

[caber]

amanda-Feel free to if they do it in a public bathroom.

[cuzkate]

I just completed reading every post on this subjectand all of you dufusus have successfully turned this PREDATORS encounter with a teenage boy in a public toilet into "Love Story". Even if it is not true just take a look at your responses. SHAME,on the whole damn bunch of you.

[squareyellowpaper]

Wether on topic or not, I find Tucker Carlson all too eager to distance himself from Gays.

I am certain that the arrest of Senator Craig has made a few Conservative males a little uneasy. Under these conditions, it would make the Tucker Carlsons of this country, even MORE eager to distance themselves on the air so the nation would be convinced.

Tucker, I find you and your story about as convincing as Rev. Haggard's. I find your unstated denial as loudly as Senator Craig's!

[speakingtruth2power]

I call on boy toy Tucker
to admit he's---never mind
these GOP'ers all lie, deny then crucify
the honest and emotionally secure gays and lesbians.

[SILVANUS]

Tucker is such a wimp and a p*ssy. It was probably another Republican predator wanting a sleazy guilt-ridden blow job. No real gay man would be attracted to such a sissy little thing as Tucker Carlson, anyway. He has the sexual appeal of corn flakes and the spine of a jellyfish..

[pzdoff]

So, tell me Tucker did the guy fall out of his wheelchair after you pummeled him? Personally, I think you are a lying little sissy. You couldn't beat your sister's ass.

[NYC07]

No but he did try to fight Tucker and his buddy off with his white cane.

[MrFiskar]

Carlson came back to show the guy his real boyfriend. Tucker being the submissive one,was afraid he was going to cheat on his honey!

[ejbr]

Sure Tucker, some gay guy came on to you. I can't see how that is possible when I can't even imagine a dog wanting to hump your leg.

[patriotmatt]

I am gonna go out on a limb now and suggest that Tucker 'bowtie' Carlson is himself in the closet...I know...the odds are surely in my favor.

[joefries]

The correct response, if what Carlson says occurred did so exactly as he described it (on his second try), was to report the "Assault" to a policeman.

To leave the area, get an accomplice and return with the intention of doing grevous bodily harm, and then to carry out that intent, is nothing less than felony assault.

He was under no danger of imminent attack, and self defense was not a factor. He has stated, on national TV (well, MSNBC) that he is guilty of felony assault.

Because it was enacted against a member of a minority group protected under hate crimes legislation, he is also liable for harsher penalties.

There was no self defense, no gay panic. This was premeditated assault.

[serialcoma]

+1

And if there was no witness to the initial "attack" then the police report should just contain info on Carlson and a friend (like he has a friend... bwahahahahaha) attacking an otherwise innocent-until-proven-guilty person.

[Waitaminute]

Tucker was lying and still is. It sound as if Tucker and his friend saw a person they considered gay and assaulted the man. The man must have reminded them of what they are.

I don't think a man who just physically assaulted a minor, would stay in the restroom.

[jasondeluxe]

No one in their right mind could possibly believe this little feminine bowtie boy gave anything but a blowjob in that situation.

I have no idea why republicans just can't admit to all being femme bottom boys cruising the bathrooms and then trying to act tough by sending real men to war for them.

[Northshoredude]

Me thinks that Tucker doth protest too much. Trying to make himself look like he is the uber macho man who can put those perverts in their place! I doubt any of this story - it was maybe some minor incident which he has blown to heaven to convince us that he is unquestionably NOT GAY!!. It has been proven that those who crow the most are deeply closeted queers who are just trying to distract us from suspecting them! OH NO! Tucker is queer as a ten dollar bill.

[mrone2]

Are you saying that Tucker himself, by virtue of "making this whole story up", is simply "over-compensating" for his manliness as "cover" for his.....Ummmm, shall we say..... more feminine side?

[LorettaSingbiel]

It CERTAINLY DOES take a BIG bully-of-a MAN to return to the scene of the "CRIME?", OUTNUMBERING the guy TWO TO ONE, "with someone he knew, and grab the guy, and hit him against the stall with his head". And years later, to proudly BRAG about his physical GRAB, and NAB by police, so he couldn't "do to someone else what" SOMEONE ELSE may have ACCEPTED...

... and what Carlson SHOULD have REJECTED, by simply saying "No thank you"...which is what I HOPE he WOULD have respectfully said, had he been propositioned by any WOMAN (back then & now)?

IF a lesbian verbally or PHYSICALLY began to show some interest in me, I WOULD RESPECTFULLY let her know that "I'm not interested in you sexually, but how about doing lunch together sometime, girlfriend?"

UNLIKE Carlson, I'M secure enough in MY sexuality, to NOT feel THREATENED (to the point of VIOLENCE) by advances from someone of the female persuasion. I would NEVER feel the need to FIGHT OR FLIGHT, as BIG, BRAVE CARLSON had done (and gotten away with, I wonder how many times?) back then!

But perhaps THAT'S the difference between TESTOSTERONE & ESTROGEN ... between Republicans & Democrats?

And, to go off topic just a little bit...

What ANGERED me MORE, during Mr. Abram's show last night, was what that RAGING HOMOPHOBIC Pat Buchanan said about homosexuality being a "DISEASE", and also having to listen to BIGOTTED Buchanan EXCUSING Craig's "temporary fall from grace"...because, AFTERALL, sometimes MORTAL men just STRAY, but THAT'S OK, BECAUSE (unlike ALL "GAYS") Craig's taken the MORAL path in life to NOT NEVER BE a "GAY" ... to NOT NEVER BE a "SINNER" ... to NOT NEVER "CHOOSE" the "LIFESTYLE"...

... to COWARDLY COWER in the CLOSET!!!

Stay safe, healthy and happy,
Love, Loretta

[JimHinCO]

If gay is a disease, did Craig only catch it temporarily? :)

[Marlyn]

"But perhaps THAT'S the difference between TESTOSTERONE & ESTROGEN ... between Republicans & Democrats?"

Yes it seems that way. So ... hormone therapy for males?

[NoonDaySun]

In defense of testosterone, it's just an enabler -- the real problem is the insecurity and ego problems of the man the it's in.

The smaller the man, the more he thinks he has to prove his manliness to the world.

[JohnJames]

Loretta, can't you tell? The homophobes see an angle - bathrooms, children. They're juicing it but it will probably fizzle.

[starrianna]

All I know is that EVERY GAY man I know thinks Tucker Carlson is one of them. He apparently has a Gaydar reading of 100%.

I bet he likes to keep his bowtie on when he gets it up the bum.

[barrycourage]

One would hope.

But it could easily fuel violent acts against innocent LGBT citizens.

[LorettaSingbiel]

I watched that verbal exchange LIVE last night on "Live With Dan Abrams".

First of all, if you've EVER watched Carlson in action on his show, you would KNOW that he IS a "Gay BASHER", and took GREAT DELIGHT in the re-telling of his KICK-ASS high school days.

And, that story keeps getting better and BETTER ... from "I was BOTHERED by", to "I was PHSICALLY GRABBED by".

"Twenty-five minutes later, a friend of mine and I returned to the men’s room. The man was still there, presumably waiting to do to someone else what he had done to me."

AND?...SO WHAT!

It is BECAUSE of Bible-brainwashed HOMOPHOBIC bigots (back then ... ESPECIALLY back then...and STILL NOW), that The GLBT Community HAD NO "CHOICE" but to risk LIFE & LIMB, with DANGER OF EXPOSURE lurking behind every door, just to get some of that "love that dare not speak its name".

(continued...)

[Qbear]

THIS is NOT about Larry Craig, it's about a tale Tucker Carlson has spoken on Abram's Show and provided a different version in writing to Media matters.
Tucker provide PROOF it happened or LEAVE BROADCASTING.

Dan Rather took it like a man, let's see if you have what it takes.

[sugarmoes]

we already know the answer to does he have what it takes - pass the tissues! tucker ain't NEVER balled up his fist to no one. probably hasn't ever even pushed someone on the playground. but i'll bet he's cried rivers on mommy's shoulders!

[wendy82551]

Straight guys' blinding fear of gay men and/or their own softer side is what's insane. Definitely, no one should be sexually assaulted anywhere, no matter what their orientation is. I'm no fan of Senator Craig. I'm glad he got bagged simply because he's such a hypocrite. But the act itself was not something anyone should be prosecuted for.

As for Tucker's story, I'm not buying it for a minute. He wants desperately to be perceived as the kind of tough guy who'd punch out a predator, but I'm not buying it.

Now if he told me he strangled the guy with his bow tie...