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New Tracy Morgan Twist: Embattled Comic Talks Bullying, Homophobia and Losing Dad to AIDS

Exclusive: Get the latest on 30 Rock star's efforts to clean up his act. Also, find out what he reveals about his own dad

By Marc Malkin Jun 13, 2011 7:40 PMTags
Tracy MorganPeter Kramer/NBC

Tracy Morgan is trying to make things right.

Days after being slammed by gay activists, his colleagues and even his own bosses, including Tina Fey and NBC honcho Bob Greenblatt, for his anti-gay standup performance, the 30 Rock star has not only been talking to officials from GLAAD, but...

I can excusively reveal that Morgan has agreed to meet later this week with gay youth who have been ostracized by their own families because of their sexuality. He will also sit down with folks who have lost family members to anti-gay violence.

"I know how bad bullying can hurt," Morgan tells me exclusively. "I was bullied when I was a kid. I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't mean it. I never want to use my comedy to hurt anyone. My family knew what it was like to feel different. My brother was disabled and I lost my father to AIDS in 1987.

"My dad wasn't gay, but I also learned about homophobia then because of how people treated people who were sick with that," he continued. "Parents should support and love their kids no matter what. Gay people deserve the same right to be happy in this country as everyone else. Our laws should support that."

Morgan will also travel to Tennessee next week with GLAAD to participate in a press conference protesting the state's recent passage of the "Don't Say Gay" bill, which outlaws the discussion of homosexuality before the ninth grade in public schools. He will aslo film a PSA. (For more, click over to glaad.com)

"By not only apologizing, but sending a message of support for gay and transgender people, Tracy will help many realize that no one should be treated differently or subjected to violence," said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. "It is so important that Americans hear from allies like him as well as gay and transgender youth shunned by their families and parents who have lost their only children to anti-gay violence. We look forward to working with him on spreading this message to Americans."

Morgan's controversial standup took place at the Ryman Auditorium in Tennessee.