You're a good man, Tracy Morgan.
The 30 Rock star kept his promise to meet with young members of the gay community after he recently set off a firestorm of controversy with a stand-up performance that included a violent anti-gay rant. Morgan met with several people earlier today at the Ali Forney Center, a New York City organization for homeless LGBT youth...
Morgan talked with youngsters Jayden Love and Raciel Castillo, as well as with Elke Kennedy, whose 20-year-old son was targeted because he was gay and killed in a hate crime, according to GLAAD, which helped arrange the meeting at the Ali Forney Center.
"Our parents' inability to accept us changed our lives for the worse," Love and Castillo said in a joint statement released by GLAAD. "We hope that our stories have the power to change not only Tracy's perspective, but those of any parent who may be struggling with accepting their child. In the meeting, Tracy clearly took responsibility for his words, and we hope that he will use his platform to make the world a better place for LGBT people."
Morgan was performing in Nashville on June 3 when he reportedly spewed the hateful jokes. He eventually apologized after his words made the media rounds, outraging many.
NBC Entertainment chief Robert Greenblatt and 30 Rock costars Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin were among those who publicly denounced his remarks.
Morgan, who was accompanied by his fiancée to today's meeting, also said he will return to Tennessee next week to apologize and meet with local gay advocates. "In a state that continues to put anti-gay laws on the books," said GLAAD president Jarrett Barrios, "it's now more important than ever that we let Tennesseans know that homophobia has no place on or off the stage."