Actor Tracy Morgan on Tuesday issued an official apology to the LGBT community in Nashville following his June 3 show in which he went on a homophobic rant.
At a press conference organized by the Gay Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Tracy said:
“The first thing I want to say is that I apologize to Kevin [Rodgers], the people who were at the show for bumming them out, I want to apologize to my friends and my family and my fans and everyone in every community, who is offended with this.”
“I don’t have a hateful bone in my body. I don’t believe that people 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 have the ability to love. That’s the important thing here. So, now at this point in my life is an opportunity to make a difference. I don’t really see gay or straight, I just see human beings now.”
Morgan went on to add:
“I pride myself on 20 years, 18 years of standup, using it to heal people and not hurt. That was my whole thing and I hurt people with this. So, from the bottom of my heart, I apologize to everybody who I offended with my words on stage in Nashville and anywhere else. I just apologize to you… To err is human, but to forgive is divine. These young people here forgave me… I just want to take this opportunity to help and not hurt.”
Tracy chose not to take any questions from the audience although event organizers thanked him for his apology and acknowledged that he was just trying to be funny without realizing the weight his chosen words had on his audience during his show and on the people of the LGBT community after his remarks were revealed to the general public.
