Here’s an easy rule of thumb: If you’re not black, just don’t say the n-word. Ever.
It’s so simple.
And yet…
Gay adult film performer Bruno Bernal has doubled down on his use of the word after being widely criticized this week, suggesting those offended by his language should “grow a thicker skin and be less sensitive.”
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.
To recap, Bernal initially used the word on Instagram to denigrate his African American barber. Specifically, the way he spoke.
When fans called out the blatant racism, he got defensive, posting screenshots of negative comments he’d received and assuring everyone he can’t be racist because he dates black guys.
Well, rather than letting the whole idiotic thing rest, he’s back to posting about the topic.
First, he shared this message of support he received from a black fan (via NSFW blog Str8UpGayPorn):
Then he posted his reply:
So he’d like to remind everyone of the “context of how [he] used it”: to racially talk down to someone because of the way they speak. Got it.
We hope Bernal might use this opportunity, and the backlash, as a way to grow, but that sounds like highly wishful thinking.
His employers at Men.com seem to agree. They had planned to release a scene with Bernal this week. Instead they released this statement:
Due to recent events, the [Bruno Bernal] Men.com scene will not be promoted by us. We prefer that it also not be promoted by our affiliates. Moving forward, we will no longer be working with the actor involved in the recent events.
h/t Str8UpGayPorn
Franklin
Ugh. Why is the always some a$$ kissing Uncle Tom always ready to cape for someone white and excuse their bad behavior. This so called black man does not speak for the rest of us.
hello369
You realize Uncle Tom is a slur? Maybe you should be fired for making an inappropriate comment?
DCguy
One great thing about posts like this is they always bring out the new screenames for the anti_lgbt accounts. Hi “hello369″… Hope your stay isn’t a long one.
Oh, by the way, please give us the details in how “Uncle Tom” is the same as the N word as far as slurs go….I’m waiting.
Franklin
Uncle Tom is insult not a racial slur. Try again.
tham
I’m alre day bored of the topic. It’s not really worth two posts.
Kangol
Both the Uncle Tom caping for Bernal and Bernal himself can both go f*ck themselves. Now let someone use racial or anti-religious epithets about Bernal’s mother’s and father’s ethnicities and backgrounds–and I don’t mean the fact that he was born in Brazil–and I bet he would not just “get over it.”
surreal33
This is laughable. This low budget whore is masterfully milking this situation for personal gain.
Anyone truly concern about racism and hatred should focus their attention on the record number of hate groups across the country in particular North Carolina.
RobtheElder
I haven’t paid a lot of attention to the disagreement over Bruno Bernal’s comments on race relations, and his feelings on same. Personally, I think Bernal felt his popularity slipping and so decided to inject opinions sure to incite a percentage of the populace. I don’t like Bernal’s opinions, but I suggest everyone consider his reasons for creating the upset, and refuse to give him the desired effect. He’ll quickly drop his agitation, if it isn’t having that desired effect. And that’s all it’s worth… RobtheElder
hello369
I think he should apologize and the issue should be dropped. I’m so sick of society becoming hysterical when someone says something that’s not politically correct. I certainly don’t think people should be losing their jobs over a single non-PC social media comment. So I mostly agree with him. Get over it.
DCguy
Translation: The new screename for the anti-LGBT accounts is on here to attack people for being upset over bigotry. Notice it’s attempt to minimize the racism?
mrrasheed
Bruno hasnt lost his job. There’s so many porn companies. If anything he got paid for sex that none of us will ever see. Sounds like he’ll be fine. Im sure there are lots of racist folks buying his scenes. He’ll probably launch is own site “third reich studios” To cater to the monsters who love nothing more than propping of other racist hateful people and organizations.
JK 1984
The whole “I’m not racist because I’ve have/had black boyfriends” is like a straight guy saying he can’t be sexist because he has sex with women.
Having a supposed black man (because everyone on the internet is who they say they are) say you aren’t racist makes it all better. It was probably just him messaging himself to extend his 15 minutes
princesspeachsf
Good for him. No ones perfect. He already apologized and tried to explain his reasoning only to get bullied by all the guys out there jealous of his looks. You have to grow such a thick skin in the world today. Stay strong, Bruno!
And all the hateful comments coming my way for being supportive, your anger is about you. Not me. Not Bruno. Period. Get a life.
DCguy
And here is another screename doing the old standby, painting the bully as the REAL victim.
Wow, you guys don’t come up with a lot of new material do you?
princesspeachsf
You have the right to your feelings/opinions, and other people have the right to theirs. Please keep your hate speech to yourself, DCguy.
DCguy
Please point out hate speech in my comment. Oh wait, that’s right, anti-lgbt accounts don’t do that, they just hurl a vague accusation.
So once again, another screename, (With suspiciously familiar grammar) defending a bigot and painting the bigot as the real victim.
Oh, and sweetie, if you could defend your point, you wouldn’t need to try to deflect so hard. Just saying Boo
barkomatic
This guy should *definitely* have not used the N word and he deserves the backlash, but neither should anyone regardless of their race.
When my fellow gay guys use slurs assigned to our community I cringe. If we are getting drunk and screaming the F word at each other then how can we expect straight people not to mirror that behavior?
No one should use slurs and giving a pass to the perceived members of groups they are assigned to undermines the eradication of those terms and the attitudes that go with them.
Next, we need to talk about his the use of the word “Bro”. Ugh.
JK 1984
I agree to a certain extent, I cringe still when I hear someone say f*g or f*got and don’t think it has any redeeming qualities.
In saying that, over time I have learned to accept Queer as a word that I can use in the right context, I.e. this person identifies add Queer vs he’s a Queer (in a derogatory way). I used to get uncomfortable when it was used as I remember being called a Queer as a young boy and it was never inn a nice way.
I will fight tooth and nail to keep “bro” though, it is about 56% off the standard New Zealand man’s vocabulary, albiet in different tones to mean different things. It is a lot different to the stereotypical American college dude bro style of “bro” hahaha
Smith David
Child, in the eloquent words of Ms. Maya Angelou “When someone shows you who they are believe them; the first time.”
Mr. Bernal, you have shown us what human trash is and I believe you:)
sfmike64
Let’s review.
1. Are you white?
2. DO NOT SAY THE N-WORD EVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
There. That wasn’t so hard, was it? Don’t be an asshole. Why is this so complicated?
djmcgamester
Personal opinion: What the fuck cares what he has to say about anything? And if other black guys are saying he’s not being racist, then let it go. Hell, lots of kids these days used “nigga” to talk between each other. I worked in a school 10 or so years ago and was seeing that from white kids. It had nothing to do with racism.
I hate when people use fag or faggot. It’s common among gays. It’s usually used toward more effeminate guys or in contrast to the “alpha male” (another bullshit construct). But I’m not calling people out on it. You don’t like it? Tell people to shut up but don’t make it a public issue about it.
I’ve spent the last 26 years as an openly gay man. Whenever someone said something negative to me, I called them out on it to their face. I didn’t have to publish it in the newspaper (social media didn’t exist back then).
Please, people, get over the idea that you have to be offended by everything. It’s so tiresome.
graphicjack
Sadly, this probably won’t put a dent in his career and he’ll get away with it. Gay men are shallow and will stick with a guy even when we know something horrible about them. That douche nozzle Colby Keller is still getting gigs even though he still goes on about how wise he is for voting for Trump. I admit I am guilty of this too… I occasionally watch a particular porn star’s past films whom I know is in jail for some heinous things… but at least I know he’s in jail and not getting paid to make new material. It’s one think to wank off to a guy you know is a creep. Porn after all is about fantasy. It’s another thing to help a guy like that continue his career without any repercussions. The studios should take a stand and stop hiring him, even if he’s a popular model. Lord knows there are hundreds of men dying to get in the business and ‘stars’ are a dime a dozen.
Sorry, Bruno, dating the occasional black guy doesn’t make it okay for you to use that word. It’s about respecting when someone says they find the word offensive, in this case, an entire race of people and I won’t debate the issue. I don’t care if you are in fact racist or not (um yah you are). But you are certainly a jerk. Doubling down and calling people snowflakes for being offended is an asshole move.
Ptar1
He couldn’t offend me, I don’t care enough. But, he can piss me off. And, he has.
Sure, I know what he “means,” that does not excuse him.
Thad
And my question:
Are you black?
Do you want to go back to the good old days on the ole plantation? The days of colored washrooms and “separate but equal” (hah!) schools?
Let the n-word die. Don’t say it.
Me2
Free speech comes with responsibility and consequences. If anyone has to get over anything, it’s him and the fact that people will and are holding him responsible for his offensive statements. It’s blatantly clear that his self perceived privilege won’t allow him to concede to the fact that HE IS NOT going to move on the needle on who can use the N-word and in what context it’s okay to be used.
demetreus
Why do we keep giving validity to such a stupid word? The history of the N word isn’t about black people, it’s about the ignorance of the people who used it to shame us.
I refuse to carry the burden of insecurity that someone else has. If a person called me the N word, so what. There comes a time in life where you just have to disassociate yourself from negativity. Do I consider myself the N word? Absolutely not! So why should I be offended by it.
yaletownman
The word was used to abuse and demean people because of their race. By using this word in conjunction with making fun of the way his barber talks he has basically stated that his barbers speech issues (assuming he even has any) are because of his race. Assigning anything we judge as inferior about a person to their race is being racist.
He was not being politically incorrect. He was being morally reprehensible.
tghost54
Um. It’s not ok for black people to say a word and no one else can.
If it’s offensive then no one should say it.
That’s racist in and of itself and blacks should be call out for it.
Equality means no double standards.