Tracy Morgan To Apologize For Anti-Gay Remarks In Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Comedian Tracy Morgan was in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday to issue an apology to the lesbian and gay community after an anti-gay rant during his June 3 show there drew fire.

Morgan was scheduled to address reporters Tuesday morning at the Nashville Convention Center after meeting with members of the audience who were offended by his comedy routine and representatives from gay advocacy groups.

The "30 Rock" actor already has issued a public apology. He met with homeless lesbian and gay youth and advocates Friday in New York City as well. Morgan agreed to the Nashville meeting at the request of Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation President Jarrett Barrios.

Morgan was not expected to take questions during the news conference.

The former "Saturday Night Live" cast member is known for an outrageous, unpredictable comedy style where few subjects are taboo. He's tackled homosexual themes and characters before with little outcry. But even Morgan admits he went too far during his June 3 show at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

He said during his set that if his son were gay, he would "pull out a knife and stab" him, among other anti-gay statements.

Audience member Kevin Rogers was offended by Morgan's routine and his posting on Facebook brought widespread attention to its content. Rogers is among those Morgan is scheduled to speak with Tuesday before he addresses reporters.

Morgan also is expected to participate in a GLAAD anti-bullying public service campaign.

Comments

[Don Harry Santiago]

09:41 PM on 06/22/2011

Tracy Morgan, is my boy and he is funny. People, cry about this comedy statement am I correct. But how about movies that show massive killings and I mean the sickest stuff you see on the screen. But people are not coming out to cry all the time about each movie. I call BS to this and I will continue to follow Tracy as a hardcore fan! Yeah go Brooklyn...

[Kid Kryptonite]

11:48 AM on 06/21/2011

He can apologize all he wants, he's still not funny.

[Montcalms Revenge]

10:35 AM on 06/21/2011

Let me say this first: I don't agree with what Tracy Morgan said nor was it remotely funny...
Back in the day comics like Lenny Bruce and George Carlin faced ridicule and even arrest\imprisonment for using "obscene words" in their acts. That was censorship.
Fast forward to today: Tracy Morgan makes homophobic remarks and is essentially forced to apologize lest he face some sort of backlash in Hollywood\television that would most likely ruin his career... wouldn't that be considered a form of censorship too?
If you don't like him or his act(and that would be me, I don't find him funny at all) don't watch or listen. Free speech(even for comedians) should be free...

[jools6009]

11:15 AM on 06/21/2011

In theory, I agree with you. However, in this instance, Morgan's statement can influence some unstable person to beat his gay kid. The African American community already has a difficult time accepting homosexuality, which is what Morgan was basically saying (God don't make mistakes, etc), so he didn't need to add to what is already a huge problem for many African American homosexuals who are afraid to come out to their families. Just last week, I heard a young African American woman - whom I like and work with -- say "Gay is just wrong."

[Ryan57ford]

12:52 PM on 06/21/2011

Your comment really makes no sense... Look at a lot of Hollywood people... If they do certain things that are distasteful in public (Lindsey Lohan, Mel Gibson Ect) they often lose their movie career because nobody wants to see them.

Tracy was not forced to apologize...he just realized that 1. He said some stupid stuff and 2. His career might tank if he doesn't. He made the decision to say he was sorry, and now he is working to rebuild his reputation and make amends.

[valeskas]

09:29 AM on 06/21/2011

Sometimes comics go to far. Maybe he should have thought about that before.

[ethiopia1a]

09:02 AM on 06/21/2011

When will this guy finish his apology tour ?

[hema333]

11:55 AM on 06/21/2011

2012...
but not like the movie...