Smallscreen News

30 Rock Tracy Morgan apologizing, PSA, public appearance to end the furor

By April MacIntyre Jun 14, 2011, 4:43 GMT

04/10/2011 - Tracy Morgan - "Rio" Los Angeles Premiere - Arrivals - Grauman\'s Chinese Theatre - Hollywood, CA, USA © Glenn Harris / PR Photos

Tracy Morgan is being spanked hard for his insensitive rant during a comedy set in Tennessee.  

With headlines like "Should NBC replace Tracy Morgan on '30 Rock'? The star is being taken to the woodshed by GLAAD over the stupid remarks he made about "killing" his son if he were gay.

Today, the comic spoke with GLAAD and will meet lesbian and gay teens in New York. “I know how bad bullying can hurt. I was bullied when I was a kid,” he told GLAAD. “I’m sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean it. I never want to use my comedy to hurt anyone. My family knew what it was like to feel different. My brother was disabled and I lost my father to AIDS in 1987. My dad wasn’t gay but I also learned about homophobia then because of how people treated people who were sick with that. Parents should support and love their kids no matter what. Gay people deserve the same right to be happy in this country as everyone else. Our laws should support that. I hope that my fans gay, straight, whatever forgive and I hope my family forgives me for this.”

EW is reporting that Morgan goes back to Tennessee to meet with those who were offended by his remarks. He’ll also make a public statement AND shoot a PSA as part of the organization’s upcoming Amplify Your Voice campaign.

“By not only apologizing, but sending a message of support for gay and transgender people, Tracy will help many realize that no one should be treated differently or subjected to violence,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios in a statement, published by EW.

“It is so important that Americans hear from allies like him as well as gay and transgender youth shunned by their families and parents who have lost their only children to anti-gay violence. We look forward to working with him on spreading this message to Americans.”