In June 2011, Tracy Morgan made anti-gay jokes during a stand-up show and created a nationwide controversy. Morgan was a guest on Rosie O’Donnell’s OWN TV live show this week and opened up to her about the controversial scandal.
O’Donnell admitted she related the pressure of performing on stage as a comic that can sometime leads an entertainer to spontaneously make an ill-advised ‘joke’ that is not in-line with what they as a person necessarily believe.
But, what O’Donnell said was most important about the scandal and backlash that followed Morgan’s anti-gay remarks, was that afterward, the 30 Rock star spent time meeting with LGBT youth and making sure he sent them a positive message of support.
Morgan did express regret, saying he felt bad for the hurt he caused audience members offended by the material, and his own gay friends and family members. Morgan told O’Donnell he never takes pride in hurting people with his comedy.
O’Donnell added she knew from reading Morgan’s book that he himself had been a victim of bullying and intolerance in the past. She concluded that while she in no way spoke for the entirety of the gay and lesbian community, she personally forgave her comic friend.
Check out the insightful clip form Morgan’s Rosie Show interview now:
Read SheWired’s coverage of the summer’s scandal surrounding his anti-gay onstage rant here.
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