Earlier this week, Queerty published a story about Fred Phelps’ granddaughters, Megan and Grace Phelps-Roper, announcing that they had left Westboro Baptist Church and were currently in Montreal speaking with universities and attending Jewish cultural festivals. The next day we published a follow-up story about the response the article received from many of our readers. It seemed they were upset that we were holding the women accountable for their past actions which were, in all honestly, quite repulsive.
As the author of the two articles, I’m concerned about how quickly the public seems to have embraced these two women who, until only a year ago, were still members of WBC and actively inflicting tremendous pain upon countless people. As I meditated on their story, I couldn’t help but think of other people who have caused far less pain to the LGBT community, but who have suffered far greater backlash.
Here is a list of a few “reformed homophobes” — people, like Megan and Grace, who have acted out or spoken against the LGBT community — and the repercussions they faced because of their actions.
Isaiah Washington
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Crime: Using the word “faggot” twice in public.
Punishment: Essentially blacklisted from Hollywood.
In 2005, Isaiah Washington was the star of one of ABC’s highest rated primetime dramas, Grey’s Anatomy. He nabbed two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. In the summer of 2006, People magazine listed him as one of “50 Beautiful People” and TV Guide named him “TV’s Sexiest Men”
Then in October 2006 a rumor spread that Washington had called Grey’s costar T.R. Knight a “faggot” during an on-set altercation. After the story broke, Knight came out publicly and Washington issued an apology for his “unfortunate use of words during the recent incident on-set.” The story more or less went away until a backstage interview at the 2007 Golden Globes when Washington repeated the word, this time saying: “I never called T.R. a faggot.”
Afterwards, Washington was fired from Grey’s Anatomy and few acting opportunities came his way. He participated in the NOH8 campaign and spoke in favor of LGBT people on multiple occasions, but he continues to struggle finding work to this day, even though more than half a decade has passed. In a 2013 interview with the Huffington Post, he revealed: “After the incident at the Golden Globes, everything just fell apart. I lost everything. I couldn’t afford to have an agent. I couldn’t afford to have a publicist. I couldn’t afford to continue.”
He also told BET recently: “At the time, I was the largest African-American in the public eye. I was on the most successful show in America at the time. It wasn’t hard to latch the story on me and have it go viral around the world.”
Britney Spears
Crime: Likening gay people to puppies.
Punishment: None.
To Britney Jean’s credit, calling her a “homophobe” is definitely too harsh. She has a long history of supporting the LGBT community, which we appreciate. But she has also made some rather eyebrow-raising statements, albeit inadvertently, about the gay community.
Earlier this month, she compared gay people to puppies when she said in a radio interview: “A lot of my hairstylists and my beauty team that I work with are gay so I hang out with gays a lot and I just think they’re adorable and hilarious.”
Most people brushed the comments off, saying it was just “Britney being Britney.” Had it been some other celebrity who made those comments, however, would they have gotten off so easily?
Tracy Morgan
Crime: Saying he would “stab” his gay son.
Punishment: Publicly condemned by the HRC, GLADD, NBC, Tina Fey, and the media, and required to attend sensitivity counseling.
In 2011, 30 Rock star Tracy Morgan made headlines for a joke he cracked during one of his standup routines. At a show in Nashville, he told the audience if his son were gay, he’d “better talk to me like a man and not in a gay voice or I’ll pull out a knife and stab that little n**ger to death.”
Interestingly, the fact that Morgan joked about child abuse or used the N-word didn’t bother people nearly as much as the jab he made at the LGBT community.
The venue where Morgan was performing quickly released a statement distancing itself from the comedian:
The Ryman Auditorium regrets that people were offended by statements made by Tracy Morgan during his June 3 appearance. The Ryman does not control the content presented by people appearing on its stage, nor does it endorse any of the views of, or statements made by, such persons.
Shortly after that, Morgan released an apology:
I want to apologize to my fans and the gay & lesbian community for my choice of words at my recent stand-up act in Nashville. I’m not a hateful person and don’t condone any kind of violence against others. While I am an equal opportunity jokester, and my friends know what is in my heart, even in a comedy club this clearly went too far and was not funny in any context.
The HRC responded to Morgan’s apology by saying it was “not enough,” and called for NBC to “condemn” Morgan for his “atrocious comments.” NBC did condemn Morgan’s comments, as did Tina Fey, and pretty much everyone else.
After apologizing, Morgan went on to release an “It Gets Better” video as well as serve as GLAAD’s Queer Youth spokesperson. Today, he seems to have weathered the storm and is still working, though there are plenty of folks who have not forgiven him, as evidenced by the comments section of any post written about the guy.
Paris Hilton
Crime: Calling gay men horny, disgusting, and AIDS-ridden.
Punishment: Some temporary bad press.
In September 2012, an audio clip of Paris Hilton leaked to the media in which she could be heard saying: “Gay guys are the horniest people in the world. They’re disgusting. Dude, most of them probably have AIDS… I would be so scared if I were a gay guy. You’ll like, die of AIDS.”
Shortly thereafter, her rep released the following defense to Radar Online:
“Paris Hilton’s comments were to express that it is dangerous for anyone to have unprotected sex that could lead to a life threatening disease. The conversation became heated, after a close gay friend told her in a cab ride, a story about a gay man who has AIDS and is knowingly having unprotected sex.”
When that didn’t prove sufficient enough, Hilton released an apology to GLAAD in which she felt “absolutely horrible” and was sorry “from the bottom of her heart.”
And, evidently, that was enough. Paris didn’t have to make an “It Gets Better” video or pose for the NOH8 campaign or volunteer with gay youth. She was forgiven and the story went away.
Roy Hibbert
Crime: Using the word “homo” at a press conference.
Punishment: Fined $75,000 by the NBA.
NBA player Roy Hibbert made headlines earlier this year after using a gay slur during a press conference.
The Indiana Pacers player used the word “homo” while discussing his defense against Miami Heat player LeBron James. The next morning, Hibbert released the following apology:
“I am apologizing for insensitive remarks made during the postgame press conference after our victory over Miami Saturday night. They were disrespectful and offensive and not a reflection of my personal views. I used a slang term that is not appropriate in any setting, private or public, and the language I used definitely has no place in a public forum, especially over live television. I apologize to those who I have offended, to our fans and to the Pacers’ organization.”
Despite the apology, which the NBA acknowledged as “sincere,” Hibbert was still fined $75,000. He also took a beating in the press and on Twitter.
Adam Carolla
Crime: Making repeated antigay and transphobic remarks on his podcast.
Punishment: Some temporary bad press.
In 2011, Adam Carolla launched into anti-LGBT tirade on a podcast when he asked: “When did we start giving a shit about these [transgender] people?” He also claimed that the acronym LGBT should instead be YUCK.
GLAAD responded to Carolla’s comments by saying: “Given his history of anti-gay and racist comments, networks and advertisers should know what their money is supporting if they choose to hire Adam Carolla. The gross intolerance that he tries to pass off as comedy should not have a place on our airwaves.”
Carolla responded by saying: “I’m sorry my comments were hurtful. I’m a comedian, not a politician.”
But GLAAD refused to accept the apology, calling it “empty” and urging advertisers to stop supporting him.
Aside from some harsh criticisms in the media, the incident had very little impact on Carolla’s career or his ability to find advertisers.
Kobe Bryant
Crime: Calling a referee a “fucking faggot.”
Punishment: Fined $100,000 by the NBA.
In 2011, during a heated game against the San Antonio Spurs, Lakers player Kobe Bryant called a referee a “fucking faggot” after being whistled for a technical foul. The remark was caught on camera.
LGBT groups immediately latched onto the story and Bryant issued an apology the next morning:
“What I said last night should not be taken literally. My actions were out of frustration during the heat of the game, period. The words expressed do not reflect my feelings towards the gay and lesbian communities and were not meant to offend anyone.”
That afternoon, Bryant did an interview with ESPN 710’s “Mason & Ireland” in which he apologized a second time:
“The comment that I made, even though it wasn’t meant in the way it was perceived to be, is nonetheless wrong, so it’s important to own that. The concern that I have is for those that follow what I say and are inspired by how I play or look to me as a role model or whatever it is, for them not to take what is said as a message of hate or a license to degrade or embarrass or tease. That’s something I don’t want to see happen. It’s important for me to talk about that issue because it’s OK to be who you are, and I don’t want this issue to be a part of something or to magnify something that shouldn’t be.”
Despite the apologies, NBA commissioner David Stern called Bryant’s comment on the court “offensive and inexcuseable” then slapped him with a $100,000 fine.
Two years later, there are still people who have not forgotten Bryant’s slip of the tongue. Earlier this year, the basketball player called someone out on Twitter for using the word “gay” as an insult, tweeting:
“Just letting you know @PacSmoove @pookeo9 that using “your gay” as a way to put someone down ain’t ok! #notcool delete that out ur vocab.”
Someone else then chose to bring up Bryant’s infamous run-in with the referee, tweeting: “Come on Kobe…you called a ref a FAGGOT. Don’t preach, just win.”
Chuck Hagel
Crime: Actively opposing LGBT rights throughout his 12-year tenure in the U.S. Senate.
Punishment: None.
Before landing his current job as U.S. Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel had a long history of being antigay.
In June 1999, President Bill Clinton named Jim Hormel Ambassador to Luxembourg. Hormel was the first openly gay person to be appointed to an ambassadorship. Hagel, then Senator of Nebraska, vehemently opposed the nomination, saying: “[Ambassadors] are representing our lifestyle, our values, our standards. And I think it is an inhibiting factor to be gay — openly aggressively gay like Mr. Hormel — to do an effective job.”
He was also a vocal supporter of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, telling the New York Times in 1999: “The U.S. armed forces aren’t some social experiment.”
In fact, over the course of his entire 12-year career in the Senate, Hagel maintained a virtually 0% voting record from the HRC.
During his confirmation hearing for U.S. Secretary of Defense, Hagel’s history of antigay sentiment did come up, but ultimately had no impact on his getting the nomination. He was confirmed the 24th U.S. Secretary of Defense on February 26, 2013, and took office the very next day.
Megan and Grace Phelps-Roper
Crime: Picketing U.S. soldiers’ funerals, waving “God Hates Fags” signs outside of LGBT events, and actively spreading a message of hatred and intolerance for years.
Punishment: TBD.
Snapper59
What about if you are considered a Liberal or Conservative. After all Alec Baldwin was rewarded after a “f*ggot!!” tirade with a MSNBC show. And Sean Penn’s son was caught on camera screaming at an Hispanic paparazzi “You n*gger f*ggot!!!” and I’m sure if his daddy wasn’t an ultra-liberal that people would say that language is learned at home. Right? Right?
Dxley
Calling a referee a “fucking f**got”? I wonder
how he’d feel if someone calls him a “fucking
ni*ger”. I must admit that I laughed when I
saw the punishment he got – brilliant!
I don’t really follow the Westboro thing but I
don’t really blame these women. They were
brainwashed and told what they were supposed
think and threatened that they’d go to “hell” if
they left or became “fag enablers” but I’m
glad they’ve come to their senses. It’s
progress – it takes time. And it’s a process,
not an event.
I find it quite funny that of ALL people Paris
Hilton would actually dare to label others as
“horny”. It’s quite strange given her past and I
don’t think she’s changed at all. She just
realises how much being openly homophobic
could damage her image – oh wait.
Why are black men so homophobic? I really
have a lot of WORSE things I can say about
black men but I’m working towards change, so
I’m going to refrain. All these people named
above are ironically the furthest things from
good let alone perfect but they have the guts
to criticise others. For what? Being
themselves? That’s pretty messed up. Just
glad some, even if not all, didn’t get away scot-
free!
MikeE
The problem with this “article” is that the people listed as examples of “former homophobes” are all people who gave half-assed apologies or non-apologies after they were taken to task.
They are also ALL people who rely on public opinion for their livelihood.
The two former Phelps clan members are private citizens. nothing more, nothing less.
they actively distanced themselves from FAMILY! probably the single most difficult thing any human being could be asked to do. this DID take a lot of courage. especially when one considers that they were brainwashed members of a religious cult, who were BROUGHT UP to believe the horrible things they said. it took IMMENSE will and strength to leave this environment and it shows a tremendous change in their personal attitudes.
how many of these “celebrities” who spewed homophobic comments actually did change? how many had to do anything nearly as traumatic as leave their families to overcome their hatred? none. that’s how many.
trying to make this about race is stupid.
The fact that the Phelps girls are white has absolutely no bearing on this discussion at all.
The author of this heavily biased article also seems to like spin doctoring.
Notice that only black celebrities are the only ones described as having suffered at the hands of media, while the white celebrities are described as having “temporarily” been rebuffed by the media?
Daveliam
Graham, you continue to show astonishing levels of insensitivity and a lack of understanding about the issue here. The celebrities that you listed here were not born into a cult and brainwashed for two decades to ingrain the hatred into their thoughts.
The Phelps-Roper sisters were VICTIMS of mental and emotional abuse for almost twenty years. They chose, on their own, to break away from this cult at the expense of losing all of their financial, familial, and emotional support systems. They chose, on their own, to seek out the victims of their former cult and offer to learn more about their cultures by immersing themselves into the lives of the victims. they did not hire a PR firm, put out a three sentence “apology”, and make a No H8 video. There is a depth of their actions that indicates to me that they really want to learn more about these other cultures.
No one is saying that their actions weren’t reprehensible, however, given their tragic upbringing as victims of child abuse and the (apparent) sincerity of their actions, many people are willing to applaud their actions.
The fact that, for one second, you could take the overwhelmingly horrified and negative response to both of your posts as some indication of approval of the sisters based on their being white, young, and relatively attractive, just goes to show the level of delusion and denial that you are dealing with. You continue to make terrible, defensive actions in response to the critique to your stance, versus actually reflecting on why SO MANY other people could feel SO STRONGLY AGAINST what you are saying. You are fighting a losing battle and instead of even attempting to be reflective in your posts, you continue to push the blame on others. It’s sad. I’m sad for you.
Polyboy
Yes.
andy_d
“The lady doth protest too much methinks.” Shakespeare
A much better writer, I must add.
northwest
Good article, someone needed to say it because it’s true. There is a double standard. The outrage is more intense when a black male says something homophobic and someone like Alec Baldwin or Britney is quickly forgiven. Racism at work once again.
MikeE
@northwest: Who the hell forgave Baldwin or Brittney? I sure haven’t!
The black men in this list who made homophobic remarks went further than a simple “oops, I got angry and used the word *fag*”. They demonstrated consistent homophobic attitudes.
And it would seem that only in your imagination have any of these white people been forgiven for their homophobia.
This poorly-written article makes it sound like they got a mild talking to, then they apologized, and now everyone adores them again. How pathetically far from the truth. About as pathetic as this article and its author.
senoda
@Daveliam: 100% agree with ya.
These two girls have suffered great emotional and mental abuse. Because even if they weren’t touched, the brainwashing and relentless homophobia is abuse.
RomanHans
You know, the author of this might as well just cut out the claptrap and write, “I’M STUPID!” in giant letters, because that’s the message coming out loud and clear. Okay, we get that you hate the Phelps-Roper women — now let it go. Don’t keep trying to convince us that we’re wrong by now saying we’re BIGOTED.
Instead, try using some logic. Did you guys miss the part where the Phelps-Roper women were raised by the world’s stupidest homophobes? Were those basketball players? Was Tracy Morgan? Maybe — duh! — that’s why we’re cutting them some slack.
Yes, we completely forgave Adam Corolla for his homophobia, since he’s white. That’s why he’s got a night time talk show like that Kimmel guy he used to work with. Oh, no — wait. Doesn’t he work at a BURGER KING now?
As for Britney — really? Calling gays “adorable” is just like saying you want to stab them? You sure don’t want to hang around my grandma.
Of course we forgave Paris Hilton because she’s white too. That’s why all of my friends have her records. Or watch her TV show. Wait — WTF does she do again?
And how about providing evidence that Paris Hilton was “forgiven”? Because I don’t know a LOT of people who own her records. Or watch her TV show. Or whatever the f*** the brain-dead zombie does.
In closing, Queerty, PLEASE get somebody over 24 to write your opinion pieces. This bizarre, offensive little rant is by far the saddest thing I’ve ever read on your site, and I’ve read “Raising My Rainbow.”
QJ201
Equating two young women raised in a cult to celebutards and pro athletes who issued fake PR stunt apologies is insulting to those two young women and to your readers.
Cam
Ghraham,
Ok, so you are still trying to rewrite history. No, people did not respond to your first article because you were trying to hold those two women accountable. They were commenting because you lied and said that their trip was all expense paid, and they pointed out that you were angry that people seemed happy about the blow to the Westborough Baptist Church.
What is even more concerning to me is that you seem so desperate to make your point that you are lying or minimizing the facts and/or anti-gay activities of the people posted here.
Isaiah Washington, you left out the part where he physically attacked Patrick Dempsey, the star of the show during the altercation, and you claim he has been blacklisted but a simple look shows that after he left Grey’s Anatomy he not only was cast as a series regular on ANOTHER series, but has done approximately 9 movies. So you obfuscated or lied there.
Tracy Morgan said he would stab his kid if he was gay…not sure how you claim that this is somehow not bad.
Paris Hilton, you claim had no repercussions for her anti-gay tirade…really? Please remind me about all the wonderful acting work she has done lately…oh thats right, nothing.
Adam Corolla hasn’t had a TV series since, the athletes you mention all paid massive fines etc…
And you left out something else. All of these people were high profile celebrities, while the women in question were raised up in a hateful cult and not only broke away but left the only family they know behind.
Please explain your fury that people are happy that the WBC seems to be collapsing and that people are breaking away from the hate. I hope your reasoning is good since you seem so desperate to make your point that you are actually altering facts to try to back it up.
Jeromie
Nothing to see here guys … The author and Queerty are now race baiting the topic to create controversy and traffic. This is an extremely sad day in “journalism”.
Read my response to Queerty here: http://jeromiewilliams.com/2013/10/31/open-letter-yes-queerty-the-phelps-sisters-do-deserve-gold-stickers/
schifty1
You really should clarify Isaiah’s Punishment and add ‘no pun intended’
haymichael
Swear to god if I see one more mean spirited article by Graham about those two girls I’m never going to this site again -.-;
the other Greg
Damn, these are getting more & more painful to read. Has it really been only two days of this?
Does Graham Gremore have health insurance yet, so that he can see a fucking therapist?
Queerty is starting to become an abusive cult too!
Nyruinz
@Dxley:
Do not try to use homophobia as a mask for your racism, you are a bigot plain and simple.
That lists consists of black and white, yet you single out black men? I’m sure you have plenty to say about black men, but I highly doubt you will ever say it directly to a black man face to face.
SwanQueen
For the love of God, this is just getting desperate now. Stop trying to defend your idiotic views! There is a huge difference between normal celebrities and 2 girls who were members of a brainwashing cult that left and are now trying to make amends. Please just get over yourself Mr. Gremore, you are never going to be in the right.
ParkerSparx
I still don’t see how the writer can equate two young women to the celebrities listed. They were indoctrinated from birth by a bigoted ultra- homophobic grandfather to HATE, HATE, HATE. If they have truly walked away from this demon family, they have exhibited extreme courage.
Nick212
This is the most self-serving article by a “journalist” I have ever seen. This is nothing more than an exercise to prove his original point in a round-about way justifying his original snarkyness and subsequent follow-up defense that the two women hadn’t yet been punished enough to be “celebrated” as he seemed to think we were doing.
Sports figures are being increasingly sat out of games, publicly shamed and fined for homophobic outbursts. Even television and movie stars are losing work and being shunned for such slurs and are attempting to make amends, forced or otherwise, however sincere they may or may not be. But these girls are private citizens who had no such duty or incentive other than presumably acting from what’s left of their christian teachings and good human conscience to make things right. This to the point of taking this journey on at their own expense and spending time with a group they had disparaged.
If I see one more self-justifying, pity-party of an article from Graham on this, I’m leaving this site completely. Is there not an editor who can address this to what appears to be the vast majority of the reader’s satisfaction?!
Teleny
I think some of the examples were out of context. I think Paris Hilton’s comments were private and made to her gay friend? I don’t think Kobe is a homophobe-he made the one slip during the heat of the minute and apologized. I forgot he said it, but I DO remember that he allegedly cheats on Vanessa.
I do think there’s some truth to Black men getting less forgiveness for homophobia. But I also think these girls were brain washed since birth. I welcome them as allies.
Teleny
I can’t stand Adam Carolla. No surprise there. He’s a no talent who somehow makes money. Not from me.
mcflyer54
Now we get day three of Gremore’s distorted opinion of reality. I, apparently along with many others, don’t agree with Graham and wish he would simply pack it in. If this attack on the Phelps sisters is somehow a part of his career building resume I can only hope that it fails miserably.
andy0529
If Washington would have said “Bitch” because Knight was clearly Heigl’s and Dempsey’s bitch, their would have not been any controversy because this argument was about professionalism or lack of it by Dempsey and Heigl and Knight’s refusal to stand up for himself, not his orientation. I listen to Carolla on “Loveline” and will say this any 50 yr old man who hires migrants to trim and wash his body,never married and can only recall 1 relationship to a 1 80’s pornstar is a “Mo” in my book, but he was right about Victoria Jackson being a damaged coke whore.
Liam Sauer-Wooden
Alas, I’m no more forgiving of an anti-gay white male or female than of an anti-gay black male or female. I’ve a long memory for enemies. Sorry. Guess I broke your stereotype.
Mr.Tim
They fled a cult after being raised in it from birth, yet Graham Gremore continues to try justifying his personal attacks against these two young women. He’s no better than someone who says women who didn’t struggle or report it were not raped. Actually he’s worse because he’s added race baiting to the mix. Most of these public figures made 1 or 2 offensive remarks in their past and asked for forgiveness, Graham Gremore on the other hand keeps trying to get us to see it his way. That is the real crime, no accountability for his own actions.
PS: I love how the disclaimer asks us to refrain from posting personal attacks against the editors.
Mr.Tim
PPS While were at it can we nominate Graham Gremore for Queerties’ 2013 “Biggest Douche of the Year”?
Mr.Tim
PPS While we’re at it, shall we nominate Graham Gremore for Queerties’ 2013 “Biggest Douche of the Year”?
LandStander
@Mr.Tim: I second that nomination. Please Queerty hold this “writer” accountable and get him out of here!
startenout
Your continued justification reeks of desperation. lol
You’re comparing people not forgiving celebrities to two young women brainwashed by a cult. And you trying to blur the lines with race in the headline, pitiful. I’m black, too. Don’t try to stir the pot by playing the “race card” and trying to make people too uncomfortable to speak out against you.
We’re trying to forgive these girls because their young lives were ruined by their family. Girls who were cut off from the world inside a compound and spoon-fed hatred OF ALL PEOPLE from the day they were born. You’re going to liken the results of that Waco-esque upbringing to the random comments made by people of privilege and education who should know better because they have always had the opportunity to know better.
Athletes and celebrities, whether they want to or not, serve as role models for many people through their behavior. Other than showing other bigots that you can change your mind, change your life and see the truth that all people are created equal, what are these girls doing?
At this point, YOU are the disgusting one throwing hatred and shade through lies and smokescreens, and YOU should be ashamed.
Kangol
The Roman Catholic Church’s hierarchy is full of old white closeted anti-gay bigots. The Mormon Church’s hierarchy is full of old white anti-gay bigots. The Republican Party’s hierarchy is full of old white closted anti-gay bigots.
Yet we have people like Dxley going off about black men. I’m sorry, but the damage these powerful white male bigots do, to gay people, to women, to the poor, to everyone, far exceeds anything any of the people above have ever done.
The two young Phelps women excepted (because they grew up in a psychotic, anti-gay cult), all the people above, if they are sincere in addressing their homophobia and heterosexism (and in the case of Paris Hilton, racism), get my thanks and support. But not a single one, including Isaiah Washington, has done more damage than the pedophile-enabling, anti-gay bishops like Timothy Cardinal Dolan
groucho60
Funny how everyone forgets about Eddie Murray whose first album had a cut titled “FAGGOTS” and his second follow-up album had a cut titled “MORE FAGGOTS”. To this day I wouldn’t watch him in a film or TV appearance. Didn’t he get busted for picking up a Transvestite for sex? The quotation “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, act III, scene II, where it is spoken by Queen Gertrude. Isn’t it humorous that a Queen spoke those words?
Jamal
FIRST of all, its Britney bixtch!! You twinks will not drag Britney through the mud and front on her like you are not the first to pop your flat @ss when her songs come on in the club! She has the same attitude a lot of women have, just ask your girlfriends you hang with! They think gay guys are cute and funny! So bad mouthing Britney for something women do everyday is pointless!!!
This is the problem with gays, you all are overly sensitive and end up alienating our supporters! Put your claws away! I’m sure when a lot of you came out you might have had a parent or friend that wasn’t exactly accepting but eventually they got over it right? These people are on the outside looking in, so I wouldn’t expect them to be heading the gay parade nor do I really care.
yaletownman
This article has no place within the intelligent universe. While the Phelp’s girls were involved in a reprehensible organization they were born into it. They were emotionally and psychologically abused everyday of their lives because what the grew up in could be consider nothing but. Breaking free of this kind of upbringing is a life long process and all this article is doing is helping is to thwart that process. If we, as LGBTQ people, have a chance to show the world what we’re really made of. Extending love, understanding, support and compassion will bring the same things back to our doorstep. I’m not saying we’ve got to put up with b.s. but when people are trying we should be offering our support. So many of us were taught to hate ourselves and should know how difficult that is to overcome why can’t we be kinder to others who are trying to overcome their pasts?
nevereclipsed81
Chris Brown has a long history of anti gay remarks.. and like any good abuser, he tries to make up for it the next day. but it keeps happening.. as far as Paris Hilton, I didn’t know the story was that bad, granted she was talking to a gay friend, but it just shows how uneducated she is, and hypocritcal, Ms. Valtrex is probably 10x hornier and sluttier than I am.
nevereclipsed81
also as far as Isaiah Washington goes, he wasn’t blacklisted from anything. He threw a sh*t storm after being fired, and working a few seasons on a TV show doesn’t guarantee a career, I also have the feeling he was narcisistically using that no hate pic to refer to himself. If he wants to come back no gay person is stopping him, but not everybody gets to have a life long acting career.
Cam
@nevereclipsed81:
He was also cast on a high profile TV show “The Bionic Woman”. It was a reboot and the studio had high hopes. It didn’t get the ratings and tanked, but they hired him for one of their big rollouts, that pretty much shows the whole blacklist comment this author tried to push is a lie.
nevereclipsed81
@Jamal: I never thought Britney was at all homophobic, I thought what she said was sweet, in her own Britney way.
queertyreader
Thanks for this great article. And I actually think that Britney’s acomment is just as bad and discriminating because she seems to reduce people to their sexual orientation. I mean we all know she’s not the brightest candle on the cake but anyway.
CharlotteGonzalez
Eva explained I cant believe that someone can profit ($)8599 in one month on the internet. did you look at this web site>>.> http://smal.ly/FnX42
Kenny1948
I guess it’s the age thing all over again. I just don’t see what all the fuss is about. They apologized for their past, and moved on. As usual Queerty is making a mountain out of a molehill. Much ado about nothing!
As far as some of the other stuff. Britney comparing gays to a bunch of puppies. I do believe back in the seventies, we used the term “puppies” to describe a bunch of younger gay men. I also remember that show, “Queer eye for the Straight Guy”, were those queens not “cute”. I actually thought they made me sick to my stomach. I thought it was an awful portrayal of us for the rest of society. Paris’s comment that were a bunch of horny perverts—-well aren’t we?
VdV
Gremore claims he “published an article” about the Phelps girls. What he did was plagiarize an article published hours before “his own,” lifting chunks of it while leaving out clarifying context:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/after-break-from-westboro-baptists-sisters-find-new-freedom-in-montreal/article15130964/
Now he wants to triple down, continuing the vilification of two women who were INTENSELY brainwashed from birth and thinks his comparison to other celebrities is clever. He’s not clever and he’s not a journalist. He’s a plagiarist. Is it Queerty’s habit to steal content? This entire situation is an embarrassment and someone other than Gremore needs to address it.
As for Megan and Grace, I hope they find peace and joy in their new lives. I hope they continue to share their thoughts with the world and I don’t mind one bit if they make money doing so. At least their thoughts are their own now.
hyhybt
Steps in the right direction should be supported, period. That’s the basis for most of the comments on the original article, and it’s flat out astounding that the author clearly doesn’t get that at all. It does NOT mean that the past is forgotten, or that they ought not work to make up for harm done, or any of the other things it’s pretended to mean. But all steps in the right direction should be supported, and support is especially needed when the step in question involves being cut off entirely from your family and friends.
nature boy
Ohhhhhhhhhh, Mr Gremore.
I was really expecting to land on Queerty today and see an apology from you for your two previous lousy Phelps articles that drew universal and thoughtful criticism. Instead I find this sad excuse for “journalism” masking your desperate insistence that you’re right and everyone else is wrong….
Queerty, please fire Gremore. There’s GOT to be someone better. Or are you boinking him and just trying to get some work out of him at the same time??? I hope he’s that cute that it’s worth it. He’s driving away your readership.
Towleroad here I come!
Freddie27
So I see the writer is still playing the wounded “journalist” role. Graham, if you cannot comprehend the difference between independent, rich celebrity adults and brainwashed cult members, I feel sorry for you, and seriously question Queerty for hiring you. These two girls, on pain of being ostracised and expelled from their family, were brainwashed in a cult from the time they were children to believe gays are evil and the rest of the world is going to hell. They stood up and refused to protest anymore, and left, meaning they will never see their parents or siblings again. For the love of God and all that is holy, stop attacking these immensely courageous women!
gaym50ish
These girls are hardly the first of the Phelps family to disavow what Fred Phelps has taught his clan. Fred had 13 children that he beat regularly, according to his son, Nate Phelps, who said that he and three of his siblings have left the flock. Nate has also said that the Westboro congregation is almost entirely the members of his own extended family.
“Currently, images of my nieces and nephews carrying signs with hateful messages flash across the media,” Nate Phelps told an audience in 2009. “All of these young children are deliberately placed in harm’s way by those who are charged with their safety.”
I can verify that from my own observations, having been present at a funeral that was picketed by Westboro members. There was a little girl with them who looked to be no older than 9, and she was carrying a sign but she appeared scared and confused as drivers and passengers shouted obscenities at her family from their car windows.
So, don’t blame these girls who may have been the ones carrying those signs at one time. They are victims of child abuse.
trilingual1946
The case of the Westboro women and the other celebrities are quite different. The celebrities are all adults who have lived in the world and should have known better before they made ugly remarks about LGBT people. It’s therefore justifiable to call them on their behavior and expect some kind of amends.
The women at Westboro grew up in a cult environment where they knew nothing else except homophobia and other hatred, like anti-Semitism. They should be commended for having been able to develop the intellectual capability and maturity to see through the lies they had been taught their entire lives and to leave the Phelps cult. To my knowledge they haven’t repeated their earlier bad behavior since leaving the cult and are actively working to make amends for their previous hateful ways. They seem to be genuinely repentant for the harm and pain they caused before being able to escape from the cult and their psychopathic family. So I don’t see how the two cases can be compared at all. It’s apples and oranges. Kobe Bryant or Paris Hilton knew better at the time they opened their mouths. The Phelps granddaughters didn’t. That makes all the difference in the world. (Oh, and evidence to the contrary not withstanding, neither the NBA nor the entertainment industries are cults, so that’s no excuse for entertainers who and athletes who do this stuff. And politics aren’t a cult, either, although I guess it’s fair to argue that the GOP has turned into the world’s biggest cult in recent times.)
trilingual1946
The case of the Westboro women and the other celebrities are quite different. The celebrities are all adults who have lived in the world and should have known better before they made ugly remarks about LGBT people. It’s therefore justifiable to call them on their behavior and expect some kind of amends.
The women at Westboro grew up in a cult environment where they knew nothing else except homophobia and other hatred, like anti-Semitism. They should be commended for having been able to develop the intellectual capability and maturity to see through the lies they had been taught their entire lives and to leave the Phelps cult. To my knowledge they haven’t repeated their earlier bad behavior since leaving the cult and are actively working to make amends for their previous hateful ways. They seem to be genuinely repentant for the harm and pain they caused before being able to escape from the cult and their psychopathic family. So I don’t see how the two cases can be compared at all. It’s apples and oranges. Kobe Bryant or Paris Hilton knew better at the time they opened their mouths. The Phelps granddaughters didn’t. That makes all the difference in the world. (Oh, and evidence to the contrary not withstanding, neither the NBA nor the entertainment industries are cults, so that’s no excuse for entertainers who and athletes who do this stuff. And politics aren’t a cult, either, although I guess it’s fair to argue that the GOP has turned into the world’s biggest cult in recent times. But that doesn’t let Mr. Frothy or Tony Perkins off the hook.)
Louis
Isaiah is a narcissist always has been he has never taken full responsibility for his words or actions hes only tried to save face for his cruel words years ago.I felt respect for him after I saw his noh8 pic and a video about being gay from a year or so ago but I dont trust him in any capacity to me hes always been fake and insincere.
Paris is braindead no surprise with her and yes she DID make very vicious and anti gay comments and no I have not forgiven her either neither her Isaiah pretty much none of these people.
Its one thing to say you are sorry its a completely different thing a far more powerful thing to PROVE you are sorry.
Tracy was way out of line and sick for what he said joke or not thats a load of bs to use that as an excuse.
However he does seem genuinely sorry for what he said and did and he at least seems to want to make a difference and make amends for what he said I do commend him for joining to help lgbt kids and teens.
The athletes are always saying something stupid and out of line and always come up with half assed apologies every single time.
Kobe does seem to realize his mistakes however and I have not seen him make the same mistake again so maybe just maybe he actually learned from that mistake.
Britneys comment didnt really offend me but I am not about to say it might not be offensive to someone else and I respect that .
Britney has always said dumb things but in this case it just seems like an innocent non hateful comment she seems to have just been speaking from her heart .
Id also like to address the people slamming each other here there is no need for this nothing wrong with twinks nothing wrong with bears nothing wrong with disagreeing but we dont need to attack one another in order to prove a point or get our opinions across to one another.
As far as the Phelps girls they were raised in a very cruel abusive and hateful home both mentally and physically and emotionally abusive.
They were raised to hate pretty much everyone and pretty much everything.
I commend not condemn these girls for having the realization that they needed to get as far away from that family and that place as much as they possibly can.
They had the intelligence to cut all ties with that family and try to start over and start to slowly live normal relatively sane lives.
I feel bad for them actually for the pain cruelty terror and hate that they themselves must have endured and faced on a daily basis from when they were children all the way to now.
We all know how cruel and mean and despicable Fred Phelps has ALWAYS been.
The writer is really cruel in my honest opinion to slam bash and ridicule these 2 young women for something that they not only couldnt help but also were too afraid too cut away from and run from.
I sincerely feel for them and wish them both the best they have the potential to be really decent caring human beings now that they are no longer under the control of that horrible family and that horrible man Fred Phelps.
Granted yes their words were cruel but they didnt know any better realistically they were brainwashed from birth to simply HATE everything and everyone and thats a horrible sad way to live life especially as a child.