"Grey's Anatomy" Star In Counselling After Gay Slur
by Shay
Isaiah Washington has started counselling after a furor erupted over a gay slur that he directed against fellow cast member T.R. Knight on the hit television hospital drama back in October, and later repeated at last week's Golden Globe Awards when asked about it. Mr. Washington, who earlier this week met gay and lesbian groups in Los Angeles, said in a statement he had begun counselling "as a necessary step toward understanding why I did what I did and making sure it never happens again". "I appreciate the fact that I have been given this opportunity and I remain committed to transforming my negative actions into positive results, personally and professionally," the actor added.
Shonda Rhimes, the black creator and executive producer of "Grey's Anatomy", said that ABC and show producers had been working to address what she called Mr. Washington's "behavioral issues": "I speak for all the executive producers here at Grey's Anatomy when I say that Isaiah Washington's use of such a disturbing word was a shocking and dismaying event that insulted not only gays and lesbians everywhere but anyone who has ever struggled for respect in a world that is not always accepting of difference. We've been working within the Grey's family as well as with ABC and Touchstone to address the issue in a way that underscores the gravity of the situation while giving us all a foundation for healing. We applaud and encourage Isaiah's realization that he needs help and his subsequent choice to seek immediate treatment for his behavioral issues."
Ripclawe, a black conservative Republican blogger, sarcastically calls it Mr. Washington's re-education process: "I am all for the public humilation for bone headed moves done by Washington twice using the term faggot, but this has turned into a farce sending him in for 'psychological assessment'....Shonda Rhimes sold him down the river big time."
My response: Am I missing something here? Is there more to Mr. Washington's past, and this story? In rehab for what? Just exercise better control over what you say, fool. And why ain't white lesbian Rosie O'Donnell - who works for the same employer (ABC and Disney, its parent company) - in "rehab" after those recent racist comments that she said on air? Has she met with Asian groups? Yeah, right....
