The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) wants Perez Hilton to apologize for his use of an anti gay slur against Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas. Photo Credit: Video GrabJune 23, 2009, (Sawf News) - The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) wants Perez Hilton to apologize for his use of an anti gay slur against Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas.
Hilton used the slur during a heated argument at an after party following the Much Music Video Awards on Sunday, June 21, in Toronto. Following his use of the slur the argument quickly degenerated into an altercation during which Hilton was punched in the eye several times.
In their statement GLAAD said:
"We have reached out to Hilton and asked him to apologize for promoting this anti-gay slur, and we would ask media outlets to avoid repetition of the slur in their coverage of this story.
For someone in our own community to use it to attack another person by saying that it is, quote, 'The worst possible thing that thug would ever want to hear,' is incredibly dangerous.
It legitimizes use of a slur that is often linked to violence against our community. And it sends a message that it is OK to attempt to dehumanize people by exploiting anti-gay attitudes."
The statement from GLAAD wasn't well received by Perez, a former GLAAD employee, who told TMZ Tuesday morning, June 23.
"I am saddened GLAAD chose to victimize me further by criticizing me for how I non-violently dealt with a very scary situation that, unfortunately, turned violent. While I doubt I will get an apology from GLAAD, nor do I expect one, I would just hope people know how difficult it is to intellectualize a situation and think rationally when a thug disguised as a musician is screaming at your face and intimidating you. I am just very fortunate and grateful that nothing more serious happened to me."
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