Film Director Brett Ratner, whose homophobic slur in 2011 resulted in a controversy that forced him to step down as co-producer of the 2012 Academy Awards broadcast, will receive GLAAD’s Ally Award in recognition for his participation in a series of public service announcements featuring straight celebrities and athletes “coming out of the closet” as supporters of LGBT equality.
GLAAD, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, announced Friday that Ratner will receive the honor at the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City on March 16, where it will also premiere a PSA helmed by Ratner.
Ratner directed and produced the PSA series, donating his time to raise support for LGBT people, said GLAAD, in a statement.
Participants include Charlie Sheen (Anger Management), Jackie Chan, Tamala Jones (Castle), Giada De Laurentiis (Food Network), and Pauley Perrette (NCIS). Additional participants and videos will be released later this month. Videos will direct viewers to take action on GLAAD’s website.
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Comcast will serve as a leading media partner for the PSA campaign, contributing $1.5 million in national airtime on its Xfinity TV cable systems and bringing this important message to more than 20 million homes over the next year.
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In 2011, Ratner ignitied a firestorm of criticism for using a gay slur, in which he said “rehearsal is for fags.” He later apologized for the comment, saying, “It was a dumb way of expressing myself.”
Following the incident, Ratner teamed with GLAAD to direct and produce the LGBTQ supportive video campaign.
He also partnered with director Tom Ford, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), the Ad Council and Talenthouse on a PSA that addressed the prevalent use of anti-gay language among teens as part of GLSEN’s “Think Before You Speak” PSA campaign.