Damon Wayans Jr. is doing serious damage control after a string of old homophobic and transphobic tweets have come back to haunt him.
The offensive tweets were written by the New Girl actor back in 2010 and 2011 and include words like “tr*nny bitch”, “f*gs” and “no homo”.
“Just has a REALLY good veggie burger! #nohomo,” a 2011 tweet reads.
Another tweet, written in 2016, calls out a fellow comedian’s “tr*nny getting shot bit” and said “being on the road during the day sucks tr*nny balls.”
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.
The tweets have since been deleted.
In a statement, Wayans called his old tweets “hurtful” and “offensive.”
“When I was a young comic trying to find my voice, I made some immature and hurtful tweets that I deeply regret at the expense of the LGBTQ community,” he says.
Wayans also went on to say the tweets were written almost a decade ago when he was “unaware of the emotional impact they could have.”
Except for the one about sucking “tr*nny balls” written in 2016. But maybe that one doesn’t count?
“I am not excusing that behavior but that is not who I am today,” he says. “Society evolved and so have I and it is something I will continue to do both personally and professionally.”
Of course, the timing couldn’t be more awkward as the CW just announced the 36-year-old has been cast in the new show Glamorous, an hour-long drama about a gender-nonconforming high school student.
Speaking to Out, Wayans adds that he now understands “acceptance and thoughtful words are all important actions that will help make society a kinder and safer place for all people.”
“You know better, you do better.”
Let’s hope so.
Related: There’s no statute of limitations on teenage homophobia and racism
Wicked Dickie
How many white gays use racist slurs on their pages? I’ve scrolled across Twitter, IG and the sorts and have seen and reported guys like that. But oh wait, the white gays are out to harass black heterosexual men as per usual, but will give their white heteros and gays a pass.
Darrellx
hmmm. you went there. righteous!
Wicked Dickie
Yes, because it’s much ado about nothing. He said nohomo, oh wow. Gays call other gays “tr*nny bitch”, “f*gs” and other words. Go to WeHo, Castro, The Village, Fire Island, or any gay club and guarantee there are 2 gays there that don’t get along and have called each other names on their respective IG, Twitter, or FB page.
PinkoOfTheGange
WD says:
“How many white gays use racist slurs on their pages? I’ve scrolled across Twitter, IG and the sorts and have seen and reported guys like that.”
Does that make Wayans’s tweets okay?
WD Says:
“But oh wait, the white gays are out to harass black heterosexual men as per usual, but will give their white heteros and gays a pass.”
Are any of these people public figures making their livings off of public approval? Or just idiots with 18 followers, showing their ignorance?
WD says:
“Gays call other gays “tr*nny bitch”, “f*gs” and other words. ”
Cool! Does that mean that any racial slur is a-okay to be used by anyone?
iamru2
I forgive him! Show me one person that has never said something that’s “offensive”! Uh hu didn’t think so.
Smith David
I second that notion. I believe he has grown from this experience and he is evolved. He’s also grown as an actor. His performance in the show “Happy Endings” has made him a likable personality. He’ll be alright. Damon has taken responsibility for his past actions and should be forgiven. Besides, I like the guy.
Greg C
I am a gay 51 year old white male who knew I was gay since I was around 7 or 8 years old, although I didn’t think of it in those terms. I just knew who I wanted to fool around with and who I felt close to emotionally…and it was the other boys, not the girls!! That being said, I have said and done some very hurtful things to the LGBTQ community, the minority community, and the female community. In other words, I was a raging DICK!! But most boys were, and almost all young men were at some point real a-holes. It’s who you have become that should matter the most now, in my humble, reformed opinion. <3 to all. (Greg)
QueerTruth
Read them first. They were offensive then and now. This isn’t rocket science. Some comments were beyond…. He’s merely being called out on it and he’s pissed and embarrassed. I say- HAHA. Good.
Darrellx
I agree here. I think what we all want is a clear-eyed, intelligent, public apology, owning up to the bad decision and then we all get to move on.
bowlingbutch
A REAL apology from someone finally. Hey Kevin Hart, look, it’s not so hard to do.
Brian
“When I was a young comic…” Oh, please, the guy was 34 years old! He was plenty old enough to know not to use that language.
nitejonboy
Not surprised, his father was making fun of homosexuals all the way back to IN LIVING COLOR…anyone remember that ? My piece of sh_t father used to call them the ” Two queer N___gers “.
spacecadet
Oh wow! I guess his attitudes haven’t changed much?
Wicked Dickie
And I presume you’re just the queer white?
Chrisk
That’s funny. My dad used to say the same thing.
AndThenTheresMax
You mean to tell me that this guy’s dad made million of people laugh with the “Men On…” segments on In Living Colour playing a gay man and his son is a homophobe? Huh?
nitejonboy
Those segments were disgusting and offensive and he should be ashamed of himself for it..anyone who supports those sketches is a gay uncle Tom.
rdb2010
Those skits were hilarious and all of the gay people I knew then looked forward to watching them.
dinard38
@nitejonboy then I’m a gay uncle Tom because those skits were HILARIOUS!!!!!
Brian
I love the Men On skits. I just pulled some up on YouTube about a month ago. Stereotypes can still be funny, even if we’re supposed to just be outraged by them now. Lighten the f up.
ericcutspaper
Words, words, words do matter as evident by ALL the comments and need for the interview in the first place. So, maybe, words aren’t enough? Mr. Wayan, and for that matter, all others with bigoted ideology coming back to haunt them, should reach out to those targeted by their bigotry with actions; involvement with those communities and their supportive organizations. Otherwise, their PR/words will always be just ‘lip service’ not unlike their acting and joking efforts. When incomes/jobs are on the line, then, and only then, are intents brought into question. Is this really being accountable for what one utters? And, let’s be clear, this IS NOT about political-correctness!
bearfuzz58
This is not surprising. Most black men are very homophobic. More so than white men. Here in the deep south, blacks will call names, and threaten gays. You would think for a group to yell prejudice all the time, they would think before they make statements doing the same thing.
Wicked Dickie
I didn’t realize it were black lawmakers that put anti-gay legislation on the books? But go off dear. And to pick up one one of your statement ‘…Here in the deep south, blacks will call names, and threaten gays….’ And what do white straight men call black people? That’s where they fly confederate flags right? And where there are openly white supremacy organizations, right? Go off dear, go off.
man5996853
I really hope that you aren’t the kind of person who “yell[s] prejudice” often because you clearly have prejudices of your own.
sacha99
Absolute bull shit, what empirical evidnce do you have to make such a sweeping statement. You’re showing your prejudice. So tired of white gays who try to find any opportunity to demonise black men. Why are you so obsessed with black men?
Vince
@bearfuzz58. I think most is going too far but I do think more blacks are homophobic then whites. Even in blue state like CA they still came out in support of Prop 8 in spite of a black President just being elected. Then you look at Rap music and it’s practically a requirement.
The deep south has a church on every corner so no big surprise there.
Kangol
“Most black men are very homophobic. More so than white men.” Are you out of your frigging mind? Who do you think has relentlessly pushed anti-gay, anti-trans legislation in this country, going back to the 1600s? WHITE MEN. Again and again and again, from the days of the Puritans right up through your beloved Donald Trump’s comments at the National Prayer Breakfast today, where he was slamming LGBTQ people! Own your racist, homophobic history and stop slagging off on black people!
Mack
I think society as a whole has move forward. Of course there will always be the ones who hasn’t updated their vocabulary since elementary school. I think this bit of dredging up the past of 15-20 plus years to hold them accountable for words they used is getting old. Sexual assaults are something else.
PinkoOfTheGange
So you want to distinguish between thought crimes and real crime?
What a novel idea.
Hopefully those that seem to have better access to the media will get the memo.
(ftr I fully support this idea)
Brian
You’ve got the facts wrong. They’re not “dredging up” anything from 20 years ago. Some of this stuff is 2 years old. You’re just making up random numbers.
Brian
Of course, other people are dredging up stuff on other people from 40 years ago, so I think 20 years is a reasonable median. The point is, it’s stupid as hell.
IAMBROWN
When and why have we become so sensitive to what a person said in the past? Was his intent to insult our community or was he sounding off and being immature? We need to look at intent before passing judgement. He’s apologized let’s move on.
ImSoRich
I’m very willing to forgive as long as there is genuine remorse, and also an outreach to the community(ies) that were affronted.
dbmcvey
His father had a lot of anti-gay comedy routines. Including one where he imitated a gay man being gay bashed.
dbmcvey
2016? less than 3 years ago. But I don’t expect people on this site to care about trans people.
Bob LaBlah
Here’s a thought. Why don’t we hit up a few girls who are future contestants for Rupaul’s Drag Race and see what THEY have said ABOUT EACH OTHER AND OTHER TRANS PEOPLE and if they deserve being put thru the wringer like we seem to be doing EVERY ONE these days. People, this is getting old and its now sounding more like a witch hunt or a desperate attempt to keep readers clicking on the sites who report on this non-issue. It wouldn’t shock me if he, Wayans, planted this story just to get out of a show that he knows is already on the soon to be announced cancelation list. Yes, its best to make it appear you were canceled because of controversy than cancelled for low ratings.
PinkoOfTheGange
So what could be the catchy phrase about being “offended”: similar too “If it bleeds, it leads”?
strix1
Oh boy, don’t dig up what I’ve said in the past, and please don’t read my thoughts because I am not PC. But usually my filter works pretty good. I give a pass to most of these comedians, the majority of them were not saying stuff to be mean or hateful, not that it makes it okay, but is was…overlooked back then. Everyone is walking on eggshells now, trying not to offend…even now, I’m trying not to say too much so as not to piss someone off, not that I really care.
shanfrina
… Surprising NOT!?!
Invader7
Here’s a reallt SMART thing to do: DON’T post negative, stupid stuff online people. Otherwise i may come back and bite you in the ASS!!!
Blackceo
This is getting so out of control, but I have long known what is kitchen table talk, and what to put out there in social media. We are such a “you’re canceled” culture so I’m way more willing to forgive past comments from years ago if you haven’t shown a pattern of continuing it to the present.
Same situation with Liam Neeson yesterday. Was what he did problematic at the time looking for any random Black man to kill? Sure. It was 40 YEARS AGO!!! They went and canceled his red carpet appearance for his new show and he had to do a whole GMA interview on it. Most people wouldn’t even admit to having had those thoughts and he verbalized a recognition of how horrible it was to even think like that. I do not think Liam Neeson is racist. I do not believe that Damon Wayans Jr is a problem for us.
IAMBROWN
@blackceo I agree with you and love what you’ve expressed. ESP about Liam. In my opinion Liam sharing his story becomes more about what we are experiencing in today’s society than him being repentant.
dinard38
What irritates me about the Liam Neeson controversy is that, anytime an issue of race comes up, what is the first thing that everyone claims that they want? More dialog; more open, honest conversations about racism. But when someone tries to be honest about their racism, present or past, they are vilified. He didn’t have to share his story. I give Liam Neeson some credit for being open about his actions 40 years ago. It was still difficult to hear…..specifically the part where he wanted to attack some random black person. He claimed that he wasn’t racist at that time and would have had the same reaction if the perpetrator was Scottish, Irish, or Lithuanian. This is one area where I’d have to call him out. That most definitely was racist. When you want to punish ANY black person because a black person attacked your friend, that’s the very definition of being a racist.
Brian
Yeah, we are constantly hearing about needing to have “the conversation” on racism. Then when somebody tries to do that without sticking to the acceptable talking points, all hell breaks lose. Nobody wants a conversation, they just want to lecture and shame people. How exactly is that going to solve anything?
I do hope that Megyn Kelly is sitting at home gloating and counting her $69 million payout. After the HORROR of her saying that blackface wasn’t that big deal when she was a kid, we now have a couple of examples from when she was a kid showing that it was considered so innocuous that they had no problem including it in their freaking yearbooks. She needs to make a single Twitter post that just says “I TOLD YOU SO”.
NeilIN72
NoHomo really doesn’t bother me, that’s about the straight male equivalent of ‘that’s so gay’ which also doesn’t bother me. My nephew says both quite often and he’s the least homophobic straight male I know.
The transphobic tweets are concerning but I think the others are not that bad honestly. Definitely not to the level of Kevin Hart, that’s for sure…
inbama
I am sick of all of slamming people with old history.
Perfectly fine governor of Virginia – expanded Medicaid, condemned Chrlotte’s white supremacists, called for removing confederate monuments – being Gillibranted for a blackface incident in college.
Meanwhile, Republicans keep on winning while we cannibalize our own.
Brian
Daily Mail just ran an article, with pictures of a whole bunch of celebrities who have done blackface over the years. And they’re not all ancient history, it’s people like Jimmy Kimmell, Jimmy Fallon, Billy Crystal, Ted Danson, and Sarah Silverman. It really has gotten insane.
hitliverson
Good article
batesmotel
It’s not that unusual. This PC culture took flight after the me too movement a year ago. Before that pretty much a great deal of people were saying stuff like this on their social media. Now they’re being policied so they’re being more careful. Also strange that it’s mostly the liberal side that is saying all these offensive gay slurs. It’s on both sides, but predominately seems to be the liberal side.
djmcgamester
I used to be a total @sshole to a lot of people in my life. Probably wrote some crappy stuff on Facebook before I got off. People do, in fact, change for a variety of reasons. Time to stop penalizing people for their past indiscretions.
I find PC culture to be annoying and always have. Now it’s ridiculously out of control.
As for blackface, I think my brother had something like that as a teenager for Halloween. I don’t remember what it was about but I’m pretty sure racism wasn’t it. My brother had big black kids as his friends while in grade school. He was a scrawny runt and they protected him. So I don’t think he was trying to make light of black people.