Questions Whether Morgan’s 30 Rock Boss Tina Fey Was Aware Of Morgan’s Allegedly Hateful Beliefs About LGBT People
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 8, 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.
“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. If Tracy Morgan indeed did say these things, he needs to respond immediately with either an explanation or a contrite apology.”
Tracy 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. Reports of Morgan’s homophobia onstage have circulated for years, though if the Nashville reports are true, it would seem that his hatred has reached a new level. 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.”
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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[...] his partner and a friend, according to a press release from the “ex-gay” watchdog group Truth Wins Out. Rogers said Morgan’s persona changed as he allegedly claimed that being gay is a choice, that [...]
Wayne – thanks for being so responsive. I definitely didn’t mean to question your credentials. Will look forward to the CNN story, especially since this is clearly not Morgan’s first offense.
I agree with him, he shouldn’t kill his son but that ish is a choice. and #7 gay people probably weren’t going to his shows that much anyway so stfu
Abby — I only mentioned the credentials because I want to reiterate that we are very concerned about getting this right.
HRC and GLAAD have also now come out with statements.
I believe in the bible and I donot condone homosexuality or lesbian. God speaks very clear this is a sin! Why is it necessary for Tracy to apologize for his beliefs. I agree the way he did it was wrong but forcing him to apologize no.. No one has apologized to African Americans for slavery.. I have family and friends who are gay and lesbians I love the for them not their sexual prefrence. God is the judge and the jury. In my heart I know it’s wrong. But I love my family and friends I will not disrespect or hurt or treat them differnt this is their choice. And I am not the judge. But freedom of speach reigns.
@Godsway, because if those are his beliefs, they are, like yours, morally reprehensible. You have no proof of “god” saying anything.
I kinda have the same reaction after I heard Mel Gibson’s anti semetic tirade, He’s had something on his mind for a while now.
“…I have family and friends who are gay…”
For freekin jeebus sake, if only we all had a dime for every time this same line is used over and over and over and over by uneducated, dark age religionistas trying to make their hate seem justified…
[...] comments are just now coming to light because they were posted on nonprofit Truth Wins Out’s Web site on June 8 — almost a week after an audience member, Kevin Rogers, wrote about the show on [...]
Why is it that the few narrow minded people who’ve come here to “defend” the bible and criticize homosexuality as a “sin” can barely spell two words correctly or formulate a proper, grammatically correct sentence? Just sayin’…..
@ #38 Robert – Gays were very much on the front lines in the fight for African-american civil rights in the ’60s. But bias against gays was still so virulent most of them were in the closet. Specifically, Bayard Rustin, an out gay black man, was a very influential member of Martin Luther King’s entourage. Unfortunately, Dr. King felt having a gay man identified with the movement would be detrimental and kept Mr. Rustin in the background.
Bayard Rustin in one of the many unsung gay rights heroes before Stonewall.
Unfortunately, Robert’s comment shows a major weakness in America’s education system today. This is why the recent law in California calling for the inclusion of gay history and gays in history is important.
[...] gay advocacy organization Truth Wins Out is calling on Morgan to respond to the allegations and to [...]
[...] are not deceiving you. Tracy Morgan, now facing a firestorm of media criticism after Truth Wins Out broke the story about a disgusting anti-gay tirade in which he allegedly said, among other things, that he would [...]
Wayne – we’re cool. :)
Gods way, and just to set another falsehood in your post right, the United States Congress apologized for slavery in 2009. Religious arguments were long used to oppress African Americans, such as the New Testament statements that slaves should fear and obey their masters, so using similar arguments against LGBT is nothing new.
[...] (Photo) (Via Unicorn Booty, Truth Wins Out) [...]
It doesn’t take a faith in God to be against homosexual behavior. I don’t think, I know it’s a natural response to protect yourself from people who choose to see otherwise. I mean, honestly, am I really wrong to be disgusted by their behavior? Since when is a behavior a civil right? Are the crackheads next? You may have fooled the rest of the stupid people in America with your twisted definitions and lies, but not us boomers, we call a Spade A Spade and we are not going to allow YOU ( a measly 3-5 % of the population )to arrest US for being human.
And by the way, PHOBIA is a long way from DISGUST.
Thanks for the chance to reply.
Since when is a behavior a civil right?
\
Ever since someone decided that religion would be a protected class.
Honestly, Dennis, you are really wrong. I think you know it, too, as you tacitly admit that America is turning against your backward world view.
You are right. He should tell you ‘Sorry you are an over sensitive pussy whom I’m sure has NEVER made an off color comment or joke in your life.”
@Chris… it’s amazing that you are trying to “call” Tracy Morgan out for homophobic rants as if your ignorant statement about the entirety of the black community being homophobic is any less “bigoted” or tactless.
Need we forget, as someone stated, there are many black men and women, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and straight, who support and have been supportive for decades too. Just as the gay community supports questionable acts like Shirley Q Liquor and has a history of discrimination against non white men, painting or trying to color the lens as you have; is unacceptable.
Tracy Morgan is a comedian who quite honestly if most know him, is offensive by nature and design. That’s his thing. Some like it others don’t. I don’t know if it is “hatred” or that this is “homophobic” but his comments during this act may have crossed a line. That line is something he and many comedians like him, cross and should be expected to cross every time they open their mouth.
This may be more “offensive” than anything else. If anything, his like most ignorance needs to be confronted with knowledge even if it was intended to be a joke.
Hey Robert, remember how forgiving African Americans were of Micheal Richards? Oh yeah, that’s right, they weren’t.
[...] happy advocacy classification Truth Wins Out is pursuit on Morgan to respond to a allegations and to [...]
aww, is everyone’s little feewings hurt? a man speaks his mind and others believe they should destroy that person. f–k the first amendment. f–k turning the other cheek. lets destroy him! the mindless liberal pack attacks. just wait until its your turn. then you will cry the loudest, and i will laugh at your over sensitive stupidity. grow up people.
gay history? what’s next, those who were bullied history? Crossdresser history? Those who’s little feewings got hurt history? what a bunch of crybabies. crybaby history? laughing at the over sensitive, my feewings should never be hurt crowd! What a bunch of wimps. Stop wimping out America. My 8 year old would kick your a*s. a*s kicking history anyone? maybe that’s what we need. Show these modern wimp liberals what real people were like before academic theorist cowards got a hold of them.
@r truth
It messes with your widdle head when we win, doesn’t it?
Get over it he’s a comic… If you cant laugh at yourself, you have no right to laugh at anything or anyone else.
Yeah, real funny.
If my son told me he was a fag, I’d stab him.
Haaahahaaaaaaaahaaaaaa
Your threshhold for “funny,” Cecilia, is apparently very low. Let me guess: “Everybody Loves Raymond” was the height of comedy greatness for you.
man why dont you get over your self i have it was a joke.lol
Obviously your threshold for humor is also very low, bubba. How many teevee commercials do you laugh at every time you see them?
A. 10-20
B. 20-30
C. All of them
hey i have something to ask if you were out one night and someone made a joke would you have them say oh i am sorry.no because they would kick your a*s.lol as before get over your self.
Bubba:
It’s quite an assumption that they would “kick my a*s.” I don’t believe in violence. I don’t start fights. But Ive finished a few. It didn’t turn out as the bullies had planned.
Bubba, the last time I heard a straight man use the word “faggot” in a bar, he was four inches taller than me and he called Drew Brees a faggot. I got up in his face and said “You just called Drew Brees a faggot?” And he goes “yeah!” I loudly said, “No, dude, I’M a faggot, and Drew Brees is awesome.”
We talked about football for the next five minutes and made friends.
You idiot.
And please:
If you are going to comment on my blog, at least make a half-hearted attempt at using correctly spelled words and punctuation.
The last time my husband heard someone call me a “faggot,” he had to be physically restrained from rearranging the dude’s face. Looks like Bubba harbors more than a few misconceptions about gay people ;-)
Yeah. They tend to.
It’s their own insecurities about deficient masculinity.
you are all just crying, get over it. POOR you, POOR gays. give me a break and stop looking for handouts and sympathy.
“handouts and sympathy”?
Ha. I do believe we were successful here, and none of it was about “sympathy.” I’m sorry that you believe everything your elders tell you about gay people, Rod. You must be so scared, so much of the time.
and one other thing, I had melanoma skin cancer at 16 and underwent chemotherapy as well as surgery and was givin a year to live. I am now 25 and all day long I hear people make jokes about skin cancer when they are out tanning or when they get a sunburn. Do I make a website about it? do I call news stations or write blogs about it, when it is a more serious problem facing this country then a gay person being offended at a comedy show, main word, comedy. Being gay isnt going to kill you so stop acting like these words are so detrimental to your group.
We are glad you made it through your struggle with cancer.
But actually, Rod, the problem here isn’t a gay person offended at a comedy show — do you read the English language? — it’s actual dead gay kids, who are bullied so badly that they take their own lives at 16, which is when you did not die from skin cancer. I’m glad you survived so that we could have this little talk.
[...] got more notice when Truth Wins Out, an organization that fights anti-gay extremism, issued a release Wednesday calling for a response from [...]
@r truth MY, it sounds like someone is feeling a bit frustrated. Well, you SHOULD be. Equal rights for all is finally appearing to come into its own, and its KILLING you, isn’t it? Good! Your comment is not only juvenile, its pathetic. Wait till its our turn? It’s been our turn for MILLENIA. I’d say the response is well overdue, wouldn’t you say? I guess you wouldn’t. You’re the one who needs to stop whimpering. ;)
[...] story gained traction this week, when the LGBT organization Truth Wins Out picked it up, with a message from its director of social media Evan Hurst that “The last year [...]
Martha said (#60),
“Why is it that the [
few] narrow minded people who’ve come here to “defend” the bible and criticize homosexuality as a “sin” can barely spell two words correctly or formulate a proper, grammatically correct sentence? Just sayin’…..”As I was going through these comments I laughed out loud when came to that one. I was thinking the same thing.
If those commenters had paid more attention in school, perhaps they wouldn’t be so ignorant. Basic grammar is a fundamental part of education, so if they are too ignorant to write a coherent sentence, they are likely to be ignorant in most other facets of life as well. And I think they’ve demonstrated that today.
Yes, these yahoos do seem illiterate. Seems like they have only read one book – and not very well.
gay kids killing themselves? and straight kids arent bullied? where are there parents? it is sympathy, because youre looking for attention and that everything is the “straight” peoples problem. I am not homophobic and have no problem with gays, i have a problem with people looking for attention off of it. All anyone on here can do is criticize spelling and grammer? get to the real issue. Blacks still complain that they have no rights, mexicans claim that they have no rights. Now, all of the sudden 3 kids kill themselves and gays have “no rights”. OK, so you cant get married? big whoop? you do what you do in the privacy of your own home as “straight” couples do. Im not understanding how this is any different from a comedian making jokes about people who have red hair, or who are overweight. My point is people arent bringing up red head kids killing themselves, thats extreme. Maybe those kids just dont have any self esteem PERIOD. or they are lost in their own emotions and confusion and kill themselves regardless of being teased. Go to any grade school and tell a 9 year old not to kick a girls shin or be mean to another kid, its life. There can not always be someone to blame. Thats all this is, some blame game and i dont know how to properly title or label, but gays? get way too heated over these actors or comedians. Its there job and so what if thats how he really feels. its life, get over it. No one cares about you being gay or hates you. People dislike me for being tall and athletic with blue eyes, it happens!!! haha you know? its life
and elders? scared? people can come to their own conclusions without influence, unless you’re just listening to your elders or prominent gay advocates?
Michael Richards from Seinfeld is a comedian too and he got taken to the cleaners for his rant about African Americans…. Do you smell a double standard here? Morgan needs to loose his job on 30 Rock. If you go after one for saying the wrong thing than you also have to go after the other for doing the same thing.