Publicist Responds to Allegations: ‘No Comment’
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 10, 2011
Contact: Wayne Besen
Phone: 917-691-5118
Email: wbesen@truthwinsout.org
MEMPHIS, TN: – Truth Wins Out is alarmed at allegations that well-known comedian Tracy Morgan departed from his usual stand-up routine to unleash an anti-gay tirade during his June 3 performance at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
Eyewitness Kevin Rogers, who attended with his partner and a friend, gives a firsthand account which describes how Morgan’s entire demeanor changed as he allegedly claimed that being gay is a choice, that homosexuality is something that kids learn from the media, and that gay youth victims of bullying are simply “whining.”
Furthermore, he allegedly said that if his son was gay and “whined” about being a bullying victim, he would kill him, using words that will not be repeated here. Morgan is also said to have called upon President Obama to “man up” and stop speaking out for LGBT kids. According to the report, these were only some of the most egregious parts of this anti-gay tirade. When reached for comment by several reporters, his publicist responded simply, “No comment.”
“In an era when strong role models like CNN’s Don Lemon are coming out, and public figures from the San Francisco Giants to the President of the United States are loudly proclaiming their support for LGBT youth victims of anti-gay bullying, it is disgraceful for any role model to inject such hatred into the discourse,” said Truth Wins Out Director of Social Media Evan Hurst. ”The last year has seen far too many reports of gay or gay-perceived youth either attempting or completing suicide as a result of anti-gay bullying. It is highly disturbing that Morgan’s representation has chosen not to comment on this. In light of the current climate toward LGBT youth in many parts of the country, and considering the fact that this is far from the first time Morgan has been accused of homophobia, I would think these allegations deserve a response.”
Tracy Morgan has been accused of on-stage homophobia before, most notably after a 2009 Carnegie Hall performance which reportedly elicited gasps and walk-outs from the audience. If the Nashville account is true, it would seem that his hatred has reached a new level.
Morgan has worked under 30 Rock writer and producer Tina Fey since 2006. Ms. Fey has a long record of supporting LGBT causes, and so we would ask her to respond to these allegations as well. Was Fey aware of this alleged “comedy” in Morgan’s show? Regardless, we would ask that she forthrightly condemn any sort of anti-gay hatred coming from one of her 30 Rock stars.
“I went to Tracy Morgan’s show to laugh and enjoy someone who I thought was a brilliant comic,” said Kevin Rogers, who was in the audience that night. ”I left feeling like the joke was on me. For one minority to attack another minority in such a way, without provocation, is appalling and in no way humorous.”
LGBT people are still fighting for equality all across America, and many of our teens are still very much at risk. Sadly, reports of gay youth taking their own lives due to anti-gay bullying have become all too common. Tennessee’s gay teens are in particular danger as the state legislature has endeavored over the past year to make life as difficult as possible for them, going as far as to move a bill prohibiting teachers from even acknowledging their existence in schools. Tracy Morgan is a role model to many young people, including gay kids. If these reports are true, Mr. Morgan owes them, and us all, a full apology.
“Tracy Morgan needs to respond to these allegations,” said Hurst. ”Comedians have long pushed the envelope in tackling controversial subjects. Indeed, it’s part of their job description, and good comedians are able to do this and keep everybody laughing at the same time. However, abject hatred directed at vulnerable kids is not comedy, by anyone’s definition. If these reports are true, we expect a full explanation and apology. ’No comment’ simply will not do.”
Truth Wins Out is a non-profit organization that fights anti-LGBT religious extremism. TWO specializes in turning information into action by organizing, advocating and fighting for LGBT equality.
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Cheyenne Jackson, who’s had a recurring role on “30 Rock”, is openly gay. I wonder what he’d have to say about Morgan.
Good for you, Truth Wins Out, for taking on this odious creep. I look forward to seeing his Tracy Morgan’s career tank as a result of this. Keep up the good work!
[...] to, in its own words, “fighting anti-gay lies and the ex-gay myth“), which promptly issued a release on its website calling for Morgan (and 30 Rock producer Tina Fey, who has long been a supporter of LGBT causes) to [...]
I feel this comedian needs to rethink his approach, and apologize for his harsh and insensitive words. Hate of any kind….should never be tolerated, and I think we should boycott him, and see how he feels about that…especially when it hits him where he breaths (his wallet).
Wow… I’ve never been a fan, though I am a HUGE fan of 30 Rock and grew up with SNL. I just never found him funny and his character on 30 Rock is ridiculous. I never understood what Tina Fey sees in him…. That said, this country has GOT to stop calling these people “role models.” Actors, comedians, athletes…. they’re NOT role models. They’re people who, for the most part, have a natural talent and are not really very intelligent. (NOT ALL of them, but a LOT of them) Looking up to them as role models is just sad and I wish we, as a country, would start to teach our kids about REAL heroes (defined as, A person who is admired for courage or noble qualities). I teach my nephews that their favorite ball players are just that… their favorite ball players. There is nothing incredible or outstanding about them. They are just great athletes.
We’ve got to stop putting these people on a pedestal. The man who is listed in this story as the “eyewitness” even refers to Morgan as a “brilliant comic.” What is so “brilliant” about him? Seriously… Albert Einstein is brilliant. Tracy Morgan…. not so much.
Maybe Morgan could do a show with Michael Richards. They deserve each other.
all of you keep forgetting that tracy morgan is FAMOUS but is NOT a role model. any of his true fans since BEFORE 30 ROCK knows that his stand up is highly offensive and raunchy. that is just who he is, so if you are looking for a stand up citizen and role model, tracy is NOT your man.
tia, what’s your point? He’s not a role model so he can’t be criticized?
And Tia, every visible person is a potential role model. Role models like Tracy Morgan don’t make the choice whether or not to be role models, the people who see people like him as role models choose to make them such.