Homophobic celebrities took their messages to the public this year in both intentional and unintentional messages that caused quite a stir with the general public. Rounding up the year in anti-gay sentiments, insults and news events, these are the ones that caused the biggest stir in the mainstream media, as well as the LGBT community.
What were the biggest homophobic moments of 2011? From homophobic commercials by politicians, to celebrities tweeting anti-gay messages to their millions of followers, to slurs used by some of Hollywood's elite, here are the people from this year that have exhibited the most brash and pronounced homophobia in 2011.
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Patti Stranger Generalizes About LGBT People
Patti Stranger is a matchmaker, best known for her show The Millionaire Matchmaker on Bravo, centered around her Millionaire's Club where she tries to find each a suitable partner through counseling, mixers and dates.
Since she is trusted by the wealthy to help them find their f*ture mates, it seems logical to assume that she could give advice to the plebe majority on a call-in talk show, right? Apparently not. While on another Bravo program, Watch What Happens Live, one viewer called in asking about open long distance relationships. Patti asked whether he was gay or straight, and when he said "gay" she stated that there is "no curbing the gays" and that monogamy was impossible. The host Andy Cohen tried to challenge her, stating he had previously been in a 3 year monogamous relationship with his last partner, but that evidence did nothing to deter Stranger as she made assumptions about why the broke up (i.e., his success as a TV personality).
A second viewer called in, and she said he should take the fact that she thought he was straight to be a compliment because she didn't find him "Queeny." And from that point the interview just got awkward.
Here are some highlights, with more available at Gawker:
Adam Carolla Expresses Disgust in LGBT Community, Unapologetic
Back in August, there was a little petition going around the net in support of Bert and Ernie (you know, the muppets from Sesame Street) getting married. This was brought up on Adam Carolla's podcast which led to a series of separate homophobic rants. Telling transgendered individuals to shut up and stop as they apparently confuse his libido and the gays, in their quest for equal rights, are ruining his life. He also had some problems with the LGBT initialism suggesting, "It should spell something like 'YUCK.' "
Needless to say, GLAAD was none too happy about this, to which Carolla gave a half-hearted apology via Twitter, "I’m sorry my comments were hurtful. That being said, I’m a comedian, not a politician."
Cee Lo Green's Homophobic Tweet Chalked Up to a "Joke"
Certainly not the kind of behavior expected of someone known to sing publicly with muppets and in full feather regalia. Yet, when a critic criticized (like they do) Cee Lo's opening performance for Rihanna in Atlanta this year, he had a few words to say in response.:
"I respect your criticism, but be fair! People enjoyed last night! I’m guessing you’re gay? And my masculinity offended you? Well f—k you!"
If those words are not the epitome of respect, I don't know what else to tell you.
Chris Brown Expresses His Athletic Woes with Homophobia
Chris Brown, best known for beating up his then-girlfriend Rihanna, is a multiple offender this year in the gay (and racial) slur category! The first offense occurred on June 22nd this year, after he successfully got out of a ticket for illegally parking. He verbally attacked the camera person from TMZ, believing he might have set up the situation to catch it on film.
Later that month, while participating in a pick up basketball game and the local 24hr Fitness, he started berating his fellow players and teammates. According to an article in Star magazine, when a fellow player didn't pass him the ball, or failed to make a shot successfully, he lashed out by calling him a "f*ggot" with "gay moves." There was reportedly no physical contact, just verbal abuse, because Brown apparently only likes to beat up on girls.
TMZ Video:
Country Music's Blake Shelton Promotes Violence Against LGBT People
Country music star and one of the vocal coaches of The Voice, Blake Shelton managed to get into a bit of hot water this year, as well, when he tweeted new lyrics to Shania Twain's song "Any Man of Mine.":
"Re-writing my fav Shania Twain song.. Any man that tries Touching my behind He's gonna be a beaten, bleedin', heaving kind of guy…"
It seemed pretty obvious to everyone who read the tweet that Shelton was advocating violence towards homosexual men who unwittingly hit on straight men. Fans of the singer and The Voice began tweeting and direct messaging him, calling him on the anti-gay message of his lyrics. Shelton later apologized and claimed the lyrics were supposed to be from a female perspective which seemed to mild everyone down. As everyone knows a a physically abusive woman is better than a homophobic bully.
Jerry Pittman Sr. Beats His Gay Son for Going to Church
When Jerry Pittman Jr. and partner Dustin Lee arrived at the Grace Fellowship Church in Fruitland, Tennessee, in October 2011, they were reportedly subject to verbal and physical attacks from church members. In addition to two deacons, one of the attackers was Pittman's uncle and all were allegedly ordered to attack the gay couple by the pastor of the church, Pittman's father, Jerry Pittman Sr.
According to reports, Pittman Jr. was attacked as they attempted to exit their vehicle prior to a church service. The attackers push and punched the couple while yelling derogatory gay slurs. Police arrived on the scene but did not stop the assault or allow Pittman Jr. or Lee to press chargers against the attackers.
The Gibson Country Sheriff Chuck Arnold however overruled the officers and later allowed the couple to file charges against Pastor Pittman and the men involved in the assault. The Tennessee Equality Project has also gotten involved in the case in support of Pittman Jr. and Lee. As of October 13, 2011, this case was pending a preliminary hearing.
Family Research Council, Congressman Against Don't Ask Don't Tell
After the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell earlier this year, the Family Research Center (a right-wing Christian lobbying organization) released their update from Washington filled with rage and hate towards America's troops.
With lines like, "today became the day when political correctness officially trumps military effectiveness" it's clear that the FRC isn't at all familiar with the effectiveness of the Sacred Band of Thebes and how a 150 homosexual couples were the elite military force of Greece for forty years.
But that's not even the worst of it. According to the FRC, soldiers will suddenly be infected with "HIV-tainted blood" by means of violent sexual assault.
Also, by repealing DADT, soldiers have somehow lost their ability to exercise their religion and free speech; at least that's the message the Family Research Council sends. So, please, send them your money so they can help get Rick Perry elected in 2012!
And in a similar homophobic vein towards Don't Ask Don't Tell, we have Representative Allen West.
Republican Representative from the state of Florida Allen West said in May, with regards to the repeal of DADT, "Unless I’m Michael Jackson, I can’t change my color. But people can change behavior."
Meaning, homosexuals choose to be homosexual and not the other way around, and therefore do not deserve the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts. Sorry, representative but it's always been about choice, even if it's the right to choose which seat you get to have on the bus.
Rep. West also made homophobic headlines this year for firing an intern who had retweeted a pro-gay message, and for calling gay marriage an "oxymoron." Which seems fair, because who do you know that is happy and married?
Governor Rick Perry's Blatantly Anti-Gay Campaign Commercial
We are in the middle of the Republican primary election campaigns here in America, where the GOP must decide which of its candidates will lead their party to the Presidential elections next November. Among the contenders is Rick Perry, current Governor of Texas, and although the Republican mascot is an elephant, Perry himself is quite the jackass.
After his poll support cut in half in November, thanks to a brain freeze that made it seem like Perry could not count to three, the governor decided to set his sights on advertising, buy spending a million dollars advertising time on Fox News Channel. And what kind of ad did his campaign come up with to boost his support in middle America? Why, a gay bashing in the name of Jesus campaign, of course! According to the video, the two worst things in America are that homosexuals can fight in the military and good Christian children can't publicly celebrate Christmas. You know, because all those radio stations playing "O Holy Night" and "White Christmas" in the mall are really pirate stations broadcasting off shore, out of fascist America's reach.
Brett Ratner Casually Uses a Slur in an Interview
Like his movies, it's hard to say if Brett Ratner's words offend so much as make his audience want to vomit. Set up to produce the Oscars, Brett Ratner was sitting pretty before he thought it might be a good idea to open his mouth.
This year, Ratner let loose more information than was ever necessary about his past with Olivia Munn and a few other personal quirks, before backtracking and apologizing on Howard Stern's radio show (where all of Hollywood's credibility lies). But the coupe d'etat came during an interview for his new film Tower Heist, when he was asked about rehearsals and Ratner said, "Rehearsing is for f*gs."
Although homosexual actors like Jane Lynch claim they weren't offended by the comment, GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) would not stand for it. Shortly thereafter, Ratner released his apology, stating, as a storyteller, he should have know better. Because, you know, everyone believes in his ability as a storyteller.
Tracy Morgan Says He'd Kill His Son If He Were Gay
On June 3, 2011, Tracy Morgan performed a comedy routine in Nashville, Tennessee. Based on one attendee's experience, it became known across the good U.S. of A. that Tracy Morgan went on an old fashioned homophobic rant and tirade. Attacking everything from Lady Gaga to the sexual preference itself, calling it all nonsense and bulls**t. Of course, this was all a joke, according to Tracy (via Kevin Rogers, the attendee), and "if [gays] can take a f--king d-ck up their a--... they can take a f--king joke."
Additionally, during the show, he said homosexuals need to toughen up about insignificant things like bullying, before coming back and saying that if he son ever acts gay that he'll pull out a knife and stab him. Looks like kevlar is going to be in this season.