Celebrity Feuds
GLAAD Unhappy with Isaiah Washington

Isaiah WashingtonThe Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is demanding an apology from "Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington for continually making homophobic remarks. In the past four months, Washington has used the offensive term "faggot" twice in reference to co-star T.R. Knight.

In a statement to TMZ, GLAAD President Neil Giuliano said, "When Isaiah Washington uses this kind of anti-gay slur - whether on set or in front of the press - it does more than create a hostile environment for his castmates and the crew of 'Grey's Anatomy.' It also feeds a climate of hatred and intolerance that contributes to putting our community in harm's way. Washington's repeated use of it on-set and in the media is simply inexcusable."

In an interview at Monday's Golden Globes, Washington denied using the offensive term by ... using the offensive term. "No, I did not call T.R. a faggot." Knight then went on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and confirmed that Washington did, in fact, use the term on the "Grey's" set in October.

GLAAD has contacted Washington in hopes of setting up a meeting with the embattled actor. Giuliano added, "We want to sit down with him and give him an opportunity to raise public awareness about the destructive impact of these kinds of anti-gay slurs. Over the past four months Washington has become part of a significant problem of anti-gay prejudice in this country. He now has an opportunity to be part of the solution."

Reps for "Grey's Anatomy" could not be immediately reached.



Reader Comments

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61. fire him

Posted at 11:15PM on Jan 26th 2007 by tufe

62. psuedonym001, sadly I think you got it just right. Gays don't have the level of general populace support to generate the same level of appropriate outrage. Look at the level of homophobia and hate speak just on TMZ’s comment pages alone. It’s shameful. I assume, at least in part, that GLAAD’s intention in this is to try to increase awareness of that very inequality. I agree too with the others that if the shoe had been on the other foot, Knight would have been, maybe not fired, but sanctioned somehow and his public image would have been thrashed mercilessly.

I personally think that political correctness has completely run amok and in so many cases nowadays rises to the level of the absurd. How many times has one single over-sensitive, pompous jackass with a personal agenda and a letter to the editor started a ruckus over NOTHING that gets picked up by the media on a slow news day and banged like a cheap drum? Having said that, however, a society like ours cannot survive without a certain basic level of tolerance, respect and sensitivity and most of us know damn well when that line has been crossed. Certainly you would think an African-American man of all people would know better.

I’ve seen Washington interviewed and my impression was that there is definitely no shortage of ego there. And let’s not forget – the original altercation wasn’t just verbal slurs. It got physical with shoving another cast member (Dempsey). Washington sounds like a man with issues.

Posted at 11:27PM on Jan 17th 2007 by LThompson

63. I believe any sort of name calling is appalling, however GLAAD needs to focus their attention elsewhere. So far the majority of this is hearsay, and if it has happened it has probably been handled internally. We cannot change people, and we cannot force them to apologize. I am not going to use references like what if this was the N word, that's childish. This was what it was, and it's time we all started learning how to speak to one another or even the producers in this case and stop airing dirty laundry through the press.

Posted at 11:31PM on Jan 17th 2007 by Tiffany

64. Yeah.. good thing he ain't a white man that said the "N" word or a big time Hollywood star that said something about the Jewish community... Finally a man that can scream "I'm not in trouble because I'M black! So I can say whatever I want!"

If this guy was Mel Gibson or Kramer, he'd make the top news at five. But he's a black man so no one really wants to make wave because the black community would be shouting on the rooftop about he's being discriminated against because he's black, not because he's a moron.

They should fire his ass from the show for being a 1) Distraction to the set; 2) Making aggressive gestures at the rest of the cast; and 3) For not respecting the personnal choices of castmembers lives outside the studio.

Oh wait.. if they fire him the black community will scream "IF HE HAD BEEN WHITE, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE FIRED HIM!"... Would'nt want that.

He aggressed at least two people on the set, insulted numerous workers that are not getting the big bucks as himself, and now this. Come one... All black people should be ashamed of this a**hole. He's the kind that puts a big spotlight on everone else. He's the reason why the "N" word gets used, because he is. The word actually fits this guy. Sorry for the rest who have lives and are respectfull of other people.

Posted at 11:36PM on Jan 17th 2007 by Freefinger

65. My daughter is Gay and in a loving relationship. I am proud of her and I am so ashamed of Washington...what a narrowminded Idiot he is! T.J. is a wonderful person and they should fire Washington...he should not be allowed to work on such a good show.

Posted at 11:39PM on Jan 17th 2007 by Linda

66. I adore "George" T.R. Knight. I just wanted to hug him after his Ellen interview. I am a former Marine, and I believe in "Don't ask, don't tell" but with T.R., I am glad he "came out" and I wish him the best! Isaiah should be fired or at least put on "hiatus." That is totally uncalled for. He is making people pissed at one of the best shows on television.

Posted at 12:27AM on Jan 18th 2007 by tra

67. Any actor can be replaced on a T.V. series. Washington should be replaced by another actor in his professional and personal class, like Flava Flav!!!

Posted at 4:17AM on Jan 18th 2007 by fredricpaul

68. I won't use words like the "N word" or "F word" out of respect. But when did we become a country where the ACLU, GLAAD, NAACP...etc, get to tell us how to talk?

If someone says something racist, sexist or homophobic...let the public decide their fate by not watching their shows or paying money to see their movies or buy their music! Stop forcing fake apologies out of these people. Freedom of speech isn't only for "sensitive" speech, like it or not.

Posted at 12:51AM on Jan 18th 2007 by ~K.

69. #56 "A more Offensive term"? What about ANY offensive term? I* don't understand "a more offensive term " I understand Any offensive term. #60 Your commentary is right on. There is a line that we all know is crossed. And apparently there is a hierarchy of who needs to account for the crossing. How does it go? Blacks? Asians? No, sorry Mexicans. Muslims? No, Muslims before Mexicans. Then it goes American Indian or Gays or ???? And then how does it go?

Posted at 1:53AM on Jan 18th 2007 by Gramma

70. Isaiah Washington is an a**hole. I am sure that his comments caused a lot of tension on the set of Gray's Anatomy. I don't know if he apologized to T.R. Knight. If he didn't, he should. They all should just try to get along.

Posted at 2:28AM on Jan 18th 2007 by spanky

71. so we have a very b rated african american actor that just happens upon a HIT show GRAYS ANATOMY, yet his utter sense of self entitlement demanded but one more example of his shiny personality and moral fortitude, by calling another cast member a FAGGOT and comes to blows with another. I do believe that MLK had a dream not a nightmare. Not only did this guy NOT apolagize, he would rather do a 180 and simply flay out deny it. Surely such a class gentleman will not be in the same company of his cast much longer.

Posted at 12:14PM on Jan 18th 2007 by ray

72. Saying "I did not call him a fa%%%%" is NOT a slur.

People are allowed to use WORDS in the proper context, including quoting, reading a book, paraphrasing, ACTING ( how many actors have said the F or N or other word in a script? Are they racist/homophobic?), writing a book/screenplay, answering accusations,etc.

Calling someone a word is different than saying a word in context.

Posted at 3:56AM on Jan 18th 2007 by John Jackstone

73. Why did he use the hurtful term faggot at the awards show? Why does Isaiah care so much that TR is gay? Maybe Isaiah is gay himself. He is probably just doing this to give himself more publicity.

Posted at 3:53AM on Jan 18th 2007 by tiger

74. If it gets to hot for him call the NAACP, Jesse, and Al they will calm the storm.

Posted at 8:25AM on Jan 18th 2007 by independentman

75. always liked Mr Washington even though his character is SO arrogant, but I gues he is too? The man should be fired fro the show. I also agree if someone called him a "N" he would be jumping all over it, and so would Jessie Jackson. He's trouble, get rid of him before the shows looses viewers BIG TIME.

Posted at 9:24AM on Jan 18th 2007 by Pat

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