Jerry Lewis Apologizes for Anti-Gay Slur

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Jerry Lewis Apologizes for Anti-Gay Slur



NEW YORK (Sept. 4) - Comedian Jerry Lewis apologized Tuesday for his use of an anti-gay slur during the weekend broadcast of his annual Labor Day Telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The controversial remark came Monday afternoon in the 18th hour of the live national telecast, when a visibly weary Lewis, 81, was joking on stage, pretending to introduce members of someone's family as he mugged for the camera.

"Oh, your family has come to see you. You remember Bart, your oldest son, Jesse, the illiterate fag ...," Lewis said, as he apparently caught himself and ceased the gag in mid-sentence, turning on his heel away from the camera.

A clip of the incident surfaced on a number of Internet sites on Tuesday, including TMZ.com, drawing a condemnation from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).

"Jerry Lewis' on-air use of this kind of anti-gay slur is simply unacceptable," GLAAD President Neil Giuliano said in a statement, adding that the comic's remark "feeds a climate of hatred and intolerance" that could incite anti-gay violence.

GLAAD urged Lewis to apologize for the comment and asked the entertainer to meet with members of the group "to help him understand why these words are so hurtful."

Lewis issued a statement later in the day through organizers of the telethon saying he was sorry "to anyone who was offended."

"I obviously made a bad choice of words. Everyone who knows me understands that I hold no prejudices in this regard," he said. "The success of the (telethon) and all the good that will come from it shouldn't be lost because of one unfortunate word. I accept responsibility for what I said. There are no excuses. I am sorry."

The 21 1/2-hour telethon, broadcast Sunday night and Monday from the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, aired live on 190 stations in the United States and Canada. The 42nd annual event raised a record $63.7 million for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, according to the organization.

The comedian's gaffe came months after actor Isaiah Washington was fired from the ABC hit medical drama "Grey's Anatomy" after reportedly making an anti-gay slur during an argument on the set of the show.

Lewis has caused stirs in the past with off-color remarks.

During an appearance at a comedy festival in 2000 he was asked who were his favorite female comedians.

"I don't like any female comedians," he responded, going on to say that seeing a woman doing comedy "sets me back a bit. ... I think of her as a producing machine that brings babies into the world."
 
not that I condone the use of the word "fag" .. but I think that after raising in excess of $1.3 billion dollars for the MDA .. I think he deserves just a BIT of slack..

anyone else agree with that? disagree?
 
Jasper said:
not that I condone the use of the word "fag" .. but I think that after raising in excess of $1.3 billion dollars for the MDA .. I think he deserves just a BIT of slack..

anyone else agree with that? disagree?
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I Disagree... It doesn't matter how much money was raised as the fact that people were discriminated and some people will listen to that and think hey he's right because some people (No offense to anyone) Are stupid enough to take that as fact. And than your just adding more sterotype predjudice to the GLBT community. And That is not right period. At least he did come forth and apologize i commend him on that.
 
There is no excuse for that. Jerry Lewis's apology... I am not buying it. He only have to do it because GLAAD demanded it. He doesn't even understand why he is sorry for at all.

I rather to see him to get fired or resigned from his position. No excuse for what he said period.
 
People continued to donate money to him after he said the "f" word?
$64 million? I guess that nobody cares. That is sad.
 
Lil_country_gal said:
I Disagree... It doesn't matter how much money was raised as the fact that people were discriminated and some people will listen to that and think hey he's right because some people (No offense to anyone) Are stupid enough to take that as fact. And than your just adding more sterotype predjudice to the GLBT community. And That is not right period. At least he did come forth and apologize i commend him on that.
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That is not what I was really getting at.. People are entitled to mistakes.. he owned up to that mistake.. quite quickly really... but to demand an apology? maybe im a bit insensitive... who knows.. but I may be wired a bit different..

If someone called me a "kike" (derogatory term for jew) I would just blow it off as just another ignorant ass in the sea of ignorant asses.. It does not matter to me nor does it affect my self-esteem from what other people think about me or who I am.

The best thing I feel people can do is to practice tolerance and patience with individuals like this.. sometimes it is just how they were raised (though it does not excuse them)

Every now and then an anti-semitic comment will slip out like "jew-ing down" (which is a term for bargaining for a lower price) or other small things.. I usually ask them "what was that?" and I get an "oh, sorry" .. it takes time to remove alot of the pre-conceived notions that have permeated American cultures..

As for me ADDING to the stereotype.. I think you have just read into my thoughts a bit too much without realizing what I was trying to get at..

Jerry Lewis is more than likely a kind hearted person.. just because he slipped up a few times does not make him any less of a good person.. everyone has their faults.. and those who do not tolerate those faults are as guilty of "prejudice" as the people who are under THEIR looking glass!

So please.. before you throw implications of stereotyping at someone.. consider the true intentions and most importantly previous history and track record of deeds throughout their lives..
 
Well the money doesn't solve the problem. Past is past and it never can change, but only we can do is make it feel better. Shame on Jerry.. :(
 
I know he is funny guy. jokes always risky and not very careful to speak out.

he told "I AM SORRY" so is that forgiven ?
 
MizzDeaf said:
I know he is funny guy. jokes always risky and not very careful to speak out.

he told "I AM SORRY" so is that forgiven ?
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He doesn't even understand why that word is very hateful and sorry for. He only had to apologize just because GLAAD requested it.
 
Curious, how come the people go freak out when Lewis said, "fag?" When Chris Rock said, "n!gger$", the people were like "ehh" or "hey, watch your language" or "hahaha?" When Carlos Mencia said, "wet-backs", the people are same way as Chris Rock example does. Makes sense? (No offense to anyone, I'm just make the examples.)
 
Texan Guy said:
Curious, how come the people go freak out when Lewis said, "fag?" When Chris Rock said, "n!gger$", the people were like "ehh" or "hey, watch your language" or "hahaha?" When Carlos Mencia said, "wet-backs", the people are same way as Chris Rock example does. Makes sense? (No offense to anyone, I'm just make the examples.)
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Fag is negative term to degrade homosexuals.

N-word is exactly same way to degrade African-Americans.

W-word and B-word are same way to degrade Mexicans.

Anyone uses negative terms against the minorities are encouraging increase of the conflict. That's why many people are upset about that and have to do something to stop that from getting worst.

How would you feel if someone call you "Deaf-mute" or "Mute" or "Deaf and Dumb" or "Handicapped"? I am sure no deaf person would accept that terms.
 
I understand that, dude. But then, why would black-on-black always calling each other like, "yo, s'up, my n!gg@" or something like that. Chris Rock is black. Carlos Mencia is Mexican. Ya know? heh

To be honest with you, Metroguy, I've never been called, deaf-mute, deaf and dumb, handicapped, and etc. But if it happens to me, I'll just probably warn and explain to them in a nice way.

I've been called, "three ears" accord to that I have a CIs. But that was my friend to call me that once. I know he was kidding. We were young, tho.
 
Texan Guy said:
I understand that, dude. But then, why would black-on-black always calling each other like, "yo, s'up, my n!gg@" or something like that. Chris Rock is black. Carlos Mencia is Mexican. Ya know? heh
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Sometime people feel comfortable to use these terms in same group. Just like what you just describled. Some gays used fag to tease each other even both are gays. Most of people talk like that tend come from low income neighborhoods.

Texan Guy said:
To be honest with you, Metroguy, I've never been called, deaf-mute, deaf and dumb, handicapped, and etc. But if it happens to me, I'll just probably warn and explain to them in a nice way.
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People possibly call you that behind of your behind. One of these days, some people will say it to your face.

Texan Guy said:
I've been called, "three ears" accord to that I have a CIs. But that was my friend to call me that once. I know he was kidding. We were young, tho.
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Haha I never heard that before. I have cochlear implant too.
 
Texan Guy said:
Curious, how come the people go freak out when Lewis said, "fag?" When Chris Rock said, "n!gger$", the people were like "ehh" or "hey, watch your language" or "hahaha?" When Carlos Mencia said, "wet-backs", the people are same way as Chris Rock example does. Makes sense? (No offense to anyone, I'm just make the examples.)
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Well the usage of "fag" can be variable. Some people might use it just as joke to make people laugh, some gay people label themselves as fag as pride, but there is people who use fag to insult, or ignorant against, or threaten, or violence, or even murder.

I, myself, experience being threaten and violence for being fag just because I like the girl's stuff, and stare to guys the most of the times, acting a little femme, and social with girls alot during my childhood, also it leads me to the drugs abuse/depression during my teen to protect myself from being victim of fag bashing.

Anyway, maybe that is why people felt so offend about the word "fag" because of their past? Or maybe they don't feel it was right for heterosexual people to use the fag, except for the gay men?

I guess between the GLBT and heteros can be part of something like "racist"...
 
^^^ That is not racist. That is homophobic. In my view, anyone attacks people just because they are gays... They are more likely to be gays too but just won't admit it. I know a several gays used to beat few gays up because they were very angry that they wanted to fuck them and come out so bad. They blew their angriness against gays. That was wrong of them to do that. They regretted it and wanted to apologize to these victims but they're on restriction order so they can't talk or see them for really long time.

I almost got attacked by few times in the last few years. One of them were my first roommate who is hearing jerk. He is gay too but he refused to admit it and he used it to against me. He came out recently and I told him that he is fucking pathetic! Also he is disgraceful to gay community period. Another incident... Around last year when I was in rural Oregon town with my mom while we were shopping at G.I. Joe's Two big redneck men identified me as gay person and came up to me. They asked me Are you fag? I was being smartass at that time by replied, Me fag? Are you two fags too? You two sure got really good gaydars! :) They gulped and left in really red faces! My mom freaked out and yelled at me that I shouldn't challenge them like that and keep it to myself. I told her NO WAY! I will CHALLENGE them no matter what! This hate have to be on an end! She knew that I am goddamn stubborn and refused to hesitate when I see something wrong and I always go fix that.
 
MetroGuy03 said:
^^^ That is not racist. That is homophobic. In my view, anyone attacks people just because they are gays... They are more likely to be gays too but just won't admit it. I know a several gays used to beat few gays up because they were very angry that they wanted to fuck them and come out so bad. They blew their angriness against gays. That was wrong of them to do that. They regretted it and wanted to apologize to these victims but they're on restriction order so they can't talk or see them for really long time.

I almost got attacked by few times in the last few years. One of them were my first roommate who is hearing jerk. He is gay too but he refused to admit it and he used it to against me. He came out recently and I told him that he is fucking pathetic! Also he is disgraceful to gay community period. Another incident... Around last year when I was in rural Oregon town with my mom while we were shopping at G.I. Joe's Two big redneck men identified me as gay person and came up to me. They asked me Are you fag? I was being smartass at that time by replied, Me fag? Are you two fags too? You two sure got really good gaydars! :) They gulped and left in really red faces! My mom freaked out and yelled at me that I shouldn't challenge them like that and keep it to myself. I told her NO WAY! I will CHALLENGE them no matter what! This hate have to be on an end! She knew that I am goddamn stubborn and refused to hesitate when I see something wrong and I always go fix that.
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Oh Homophobic, right lol.. :) Yeah almost every of GLBT was the victim of homophobia 'n' transphobia. I wonder if someday they will never been existed..
 
I don't think he was intending to be homophobic, I think he was just having a good time, but he caught himself, he realized he could've used a different word to approach the joke, but we all make mistake's, I know i've said things that I shouldn't have, all we can do is try to forgive & move on. Just my opinion. =P
 
The point is, this was a public situation. You do not offer personal information about another person to the general public in an arena such as a national television program. It is not his responsibility, or anyone else's to make remarks of a reveling nature about anone's sexual orientation, their age, their religion, their ethnicity, or anything else of a personal nature.
 
jillio said:
The point is, this was a public situation. You do not offer personal information about another person to the general public in an arena such as a national television program. It is not his responsibility, or anyone else's to make remarks of a reveling nature about anone's sexual orientation, their age, their religion, their ethnicity, or anything else of a personal nature.
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His comment wasn't about a real person.

"Prowling about the stage during the live telecast Monday in Las Vegas, Lewis was goofing around and dodging his cameraman, then went into a ramble about imaginary family members."
cbs2.com - Jerry Lewis Drops Gay Slur During Telethon
 
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