'Grey' Star Meets With Gay Activists
Monday, January 22, 2007 11:08 PM EST
The Associated Press
By LYNN ELBER
LOS ANGELES (AP) — "Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington, under fire for using a gay slur about a co-star, met Monday with gay rights activists who said he agreed to help educate the public about the cruelty of such language.
"He seemed very sincere in his interest in working with us in an ongoing basis," Kevin Jennings, executive director of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. "We emphasized that this is not a one-shot deal, but an ongoing thing. He was very open to doing this."
The star of the hit ABC medical drama met with Jennings, who spoke after the private meeting, and Neil G. Giuliano, president of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. A call to Washington's publicist for comment was not immediately returned Monday.
According to Jennings, Washington said he wanted to explore ways to work with GLSEN to address issues of "namecalling and how he might use his various platforms to educate people about how painful and wrong it is."
By coincidence, Jennings noted, Monday was the start of "No Name-Calling Week," coordinated by GLSEN with national educational partners to help schools find ways to eliminate bullying and slurs of all kinds. His group welcomed Washington's help in promoting the group's agenda, Jennings said.
Washington, himself a father, said he understands how the issue effects young people, Jennings said.
Washington, who stepped away from filming for the hour-long meeting, said he is interested in pursuing various options, such as public-service announcements, according to Jennings. No firm agreements were reached, the GLSEN director said.
"I think this is a very good first step toward him showing he really wants to do something. We take him at his word," Jennings said.
Last October, it was reported that Washington used the term "faggot" about castmate T.R. Knight during an on-set argument with co-star Patrick Dempsey. He used it again backstage at the Jan. 15 Golden Globes as he denied ever uttering it.
Washington issued an apology after he was publicly criticized by GLAAD and chastised by ABC.
"Grey's Anatomy" led nominees announced Sunday for the 18th annual GLAAD Media Awards, recognizing "mainstream media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ... community and the issues that affect their lives.
All this because he said "faggot"...
Moderator: Dictators in Training
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kaharthemad
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Gargamellow
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why the fuck is an actor a role model anyway? people who put actors / athletes up as role models should be shot in the face before they spread their fecal enriched DNA around and make more morons to infect the earth.
seriously.
if you're that fucking pathetic you need to look up to some dipshit who spends his/her day spewing out lines they memorized from the day before - you should be shot in the face... twice. I say twice incase the first bullet misses that pea sized brain and simply passes though the skull causing no damage.
seriously.
if you're that fucking pathetic you need to look up to some dipshit who spends his/her day spewing out lines they memorized from the day before - you should be shot in the face... twice. I say twice incase the first bullet misses that pea sized brain and simply passes though the skull causing no damage.
Phlegm wrote:I totally agreed with Diekan.
Concur~
Parents = Rolemodel
Actors = Non-Rolemodel
Anyways I hate the word faggot. Not because of what it means, just because saying the word makes me feel queer. I'd rather say gay motherfucker or assfucking bitch or something. Saying "He is such a faggot", is just fucking gay.
Kalec Brotherwolfe - Retired Hierophant of EQ
Yeah, if it was big bird or something, I would agree about the role model statement. But an actor on a week night TV drama is not a role model.
Was Isaiah Washington wrong with what he said, sure, T.R. Knight hadn't even done anything to provoke him. I think the world forcing Isaiah to go to "sensitivity training" is bullshit though. What does it prove? Nothing, it's just a hypocritical form of humiliation.
Oh well, it all makes for good TV drama I guess.
And besides, the word "schlomo" is better.
Was Isaiah Washington wrong with what he said, sure, T.R. Knight hadn't even done anything to provoke him. I think the world forcing Isaiah to go to "sensitivity training" is bullshit though. What does it prove? Nothing, it's just a hypocritical form of humiliation.
Oh well, it all makes for good TV drama I guess.
And besides, the word "schlomo" is better.
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kaharthemad
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I think one of the problems we as a society have is being too damn 'sensitive' to others feelings.
There are alot of double standards. If I was to call someone a 'mick' or a 'kraut' thats ok. because I have those blood lines. However use the word nigger and I can be hung.
The main problem I see is the sensitivity goes one way. I can not poke fun or use a racial slur against an african american but lord they can use them on me and it is fine. Same goes for the fucking queers.
I have seen and talked to enough gays in my time to know that besides working the sausage factory they are human. They put on their pants, or dresses one leg at a time. If they can poke fun of straights, and gays they to can be poked fun of by us norms.
This crap about sensitivity training? Talk about mindless brainwashing.
There are alot of double standards. If I was to call someone a 'mick' or a 'kraut' thats ok. because I have those blood lines. However use the word nigger and I can be hung.
The main problem I see is the sensitivity goes one way. I can not poke fun or use a racial slur against an african american but lord they can use them on me and it is fine. Same goes for the fucking queers.
I have seen and talked to enough gays in my time to know that besides working the sausage factory they are human. They put on their pants, or dresses one leg at a time. If they can poke fun of straights, and gays they to can be poked fun of by us norms.
This crap about sensitivity training? Talk about mindless brainwashing.
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Gargamellow
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And Isaiah Washington didn't say it in public either, not the first time anyway. Someone on the inside dropped the dime on him to the media and it became the frenzy that it is today.
If he really thought he needed "sensitivity training" he would have undergone it weeks ago when it initially happend rather than waiting until now. He was just being pressured by his bosses to go.
And now a rumor is going around that they are going to make his charector on Grey's Anatomy "come out of the closet". That would be the ultimate fuck you to Isaiah Washington.
If he really thought he needed "sensitivity training" he would have undergone it weeks ago when it initially happend rather than waiting until now. He was just being pressured by his bosses to go.
And now a rumor is going around that they are going to make his charector on Grey's Anatomy "come out of the closet". That would be the ultimate fuck you to Isaiah Washington.
