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Isaiah Comes Out in Support of Gay Marriage
Isaiah Washington by Chris Weeks/WireImage.com
Much to Katherine Heigl's delight, I imagine, Isaiah Washington these days is letting his money do the talking. When Howard Bragman — the former Grey's Anatomy star's publicist — tied the knot last week with his life partner, Chuck O'Donnell, the groom and groom asked guests to gift them with donations to Equality California, an organization committed to stopping an anti-gay marriage amendment on California's ballot this November. Among the contributors thus far is Washington.
"Chuck and I were very touched by [Isaiah's] generosity and his support of this cause," Bragman tells OutSports.com. "He said he wishes us all the best and he supports the rights of others in our community to get married."
What's your take? Washington's exit from Grey's was initiated by an anti-gay slur he allegedly directed at costar T.R. Knight. Does this wedding gesture speak to any sort of (hi, William Hurt!) change of attitude? — Matt Mitovich
Related:
• Exclusive Details on Isaiah Washington's Return to TV
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Jul 17, 2008 3:46 PM
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I say good for him. I've always thought Isaiah Washington probably had an anger management issue, rather than any homophobia. He's a talented performer and I hope he's doing better these days.
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Jul 17, 2008 4:38 PM
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Correct me if I am wrong, but from what I read the f slur wasn't "directed at" T.R. I read, that it was said to PD when he and IW were fighting. In some reports it said that this was just one of the invectives IW called PD.
This does not make it okay, but I never really saw the connection that proved that this was directed toward TR or mainly meant to indicate that IW was hugely homophobic.
Regardless, having this made public seems to be all a PR stunt than really wanting to support the cause.
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Jul 17, 2008 5:05 PM
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I'm all for personal growth; if he really is handling his anger problems or homophobe problems or whatEVER his problems are, I applaud him. Whatever his motivations are, PR or not, at least Equality America got a donation out of it.
Although I'd assume that his physical assault of a castmate was more likely behind his exit than his slur - or rather, they were all symptoms of one major problem.
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Jul 17, 2008 5:34 PM
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Does this wedding gesture speak to any sort of (hi, William Hurt!) change of attitude? — Matt Mitovich
What does the William Hurt thing mean?
Regardless, I too suspect his problem had more to do with anger management than homophobia. Maybe he should be making donations to anti-bullying programs. Role model-wise, I do think it's nice to have a straight, black man show public support of gay marriage. Even people who don't consider themselves homophobic don't see the parallels between anti-gay marriage and anti-miscegenation laws (which were on the books until 40 years ago) and realize that the perception of "natural unions" has and will continue to change.
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Jul 17, 2008 5:34 PM
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Unintentional irony that his PR stunt literally involved donating money in honor of his publicist?
If he really wants to separate himself from that whole ordeal - he needs to do these things, but do them quietly...
The people that matter will still probably find out (I immediately think of the Curb Your Enthusiasm episode that dwelled on the irony of donating anonymously when everyone finds out your identity anyway) and the rest of us no longer care.
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Jul 17, 2008 5:51 PM
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I think when your public image is hurt more than your private image, then it makes sense to make public amends, particularly since people seem to think is public issues affect his ability to do his job.
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Jul 17, 2008 6:11 PM
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Well, putting his money where his mouth is is way better than his foot!
But a PR stunt? Who could have guessed that a Publicist couldn't be discreet.
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Jul 17, 2008 6:11 PM
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HELLLLLLL, NOOOOOO!!! - he's being a frickin' hypocrite (as always!!!) - trying to get back on the good idea of people - DOESN'T WORK IN NM!!! or shouldn't anywhere else either!!!!
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Jul 17, 2008 6:23 PM
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I tell you what that means more to me than all his half hearted apologies did. When a person is willing to put his money where his mouth is then I believe it. So thanks IW. Maybe he really has learned something though all this.
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Jul 17, 2008 6:25 PM
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OMG, this is a crap mea culpa on Washington's part. He's a ignorant pig homophobe... It's just a publicity ploy...
At least his money is going to a wonderful deserving cause.... And Congrats to Howard and Chuck!
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Jul 17, 2008 7:50 PM
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Isaiah is a better man than that loser and it has nothing to do with him being gay, I could care less, too many in my family, but because he is an out and out lyar. He lied on Isaiah, but Isaiah is the better man. He wasn't talking to this loser when he used the one on the set, he was talking to his co-worker that he got into a fight with about being late. Katherine Hagel, that bucktooth biotch, should be fired from the show, but it's not as good as it was when Isaiah was ont he show. Once he left, so did I.
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Jul 17, 2008 8:07 PM
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First of all, I don't think Isaiah meant it as a homophobic gesture. Poor choice of words, YES, but it was more about his anger issues, which were followed by him choking a co-star! This pattern of behavior is why he got fired and why producers are skeptical of hiring him! If he were in a "regular" job like the rest of us and a potential employer discovered he had "issues" there would be some hesitation. Unfortunately for IW, his job is in the public eye.
Second, the story was detailed by the publicist of GREYS ANATOMY, not Isaiah's personal publicist so its unfair to assume this was a publicity stunt by Isaiah.
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Jul 17, 2008 9:19 PM
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Good for him!
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Jul 17, 2008 10:26 PM
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PR stunt, pure and simple.
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Jul 18, 2008 12:25 AM
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