Greys’ star meets with gay-rights groups

[DruRocks]

Grey’s’ star meets with gay-rights groups

Activists say Washington has agreed to help educate public about slurs

The Associated Press

Updated: 5:26 p.m. PT Jan 22, 2007

LOS ANGELES - “Grey’s Anatomy” star Isaiah Washington, under fire for using a gay slur about a co-star, met Monday with gay rights activists who said he agreed to help educate the public about the cruelty of such language.

“He seemed very sincere in his interest in working with us in an ongoing basis,” said Kevin Jennings, executive director of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. “We emphasized that this is not a one-shot deal, but an ongoing thing. He was very open to doing this.”

The star of the hit ABC medical drama met with Jennings, who spoke after the private meeting, and Neil Giuliano, president of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. A call to Washington’s publicist for comment was not immediately returned Monday.

According to Jennings, Washington said he wanted to explore ways to work with the gay-lesbian network to address issues of “name-calling and how he might use his various platforms to educate people about how painful and wrong it is.”

By coincidence, Jennings noted, Monday was the start of “No Name-Calling Week,” coordinated by the gay-lesbian network with national educational partners to help schools find ways to eliminate bullying and slurs of all kinds. His group welcomed Washington’s help in promoting the group’s agenda, Jennings said.

Washington, himself a father, said he understands how the issue effects young people, Jennings said.

Washington, who stepped away from filming for the hour-long meeting, said he is interested in pursuing various options, such as public-service announcements, Jennings said. No firm agreements were reached, the group's director said.

“I think this is a very good first step toward him showing he really wants to do something. We take him at his word,” Jennings said.

In October, it was reported that Washington used the term “***got” about castmate T.R. Knight during an on-set argument with co-star Patrick Dempsey. He used it again backstage at the Jan. 15 Golden Globes as he denied ever uttering it.

Washington issued an apology after he was publicly criticized by GLAAD and chastised by ABC.

“Grey’s Anatomy” led nominees announced Sunday for the 18th annual GLAAD Media Awards, recognizing “mainstream media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ... community and the issues that affect their lives.”

© 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[Actor87]

Oh please!! The only reason he's doing this is to get...the media, ... gays, ... and infuriated Grey's Anatomy fans.....off his back.

[Mason]

All the damage control in the world isn't gonna save him now.

[mateo22]

what a sickening trend we have had over the past year...... i still don't buy his apology, but who really knows...

[Mason]

It's like IW doesn't realize we all see how obviously forced and fake this all is. I just want him off GA now. Everytime I see his name in a news story, I like him less than I already did before.

[mateo22]

I don't really watch GA, and I don't really care if they fire him or not, I just think he REALLY needs to apologize, and stopping making stupid decisions like at the Golden Globes....but, again, who knows if he really is sorry or not?

[Rhiannon]

It pisses me off that they haven't fired Isaiah Washington, because we all know if T.R. Knight had used a racial slur towards Isaiah that he'd be out on his ass faster than we could change the channel. When I saw Isaiah on Grey's the other night I could feel my blood start to boil, I don't see him as the character of "Dr.Burke" anymore when the show is on......

[DruRocks]

On a shallow note, he's so not sexy. He does seem to have this arrogance though that comes across on screen at times. I wish he could be more charismatic, because right now a million actors would kill for this job.

[mateo22]

shallow, maybe

true, YES

and I agree, from the eppys that I have seen...I never really liked his character...

[mateo22]

very true my friend, very true

[Kwing42]

It is stupid that he has to meet with them anyway. They are a group..who cares.

He looks like the moron, but we can not force him to chagne his views because the fans demand it. He should be who he is. If he is that low that he feels he has to degrade others to make himself feel better. So be it. That is his choice. Organized social groups need to butt out.

[KLN]

I loves it!