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Adam Carolla asks: ‘When did we start giving a shit’ about transgender people

Adam Carolla asks: ‘When did we start giving a shit’ about transgender people

D-list comedian and podcaster Adam Carolla has come under fire from LGBT advocates and GLAAD — the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation — over a vulgar, anti-LGBT tirade in which he said, in reference to transgender people, “When did we start giving a shit about these people?”

Adam Carolla

Carolla, former host of “The Man Show,” made the remarks during his weekly podcast on Thursday, in which he “told LGBT people to ‘shut up’ because they are ‘ruining his life’ by speaking out about equality,” said GLADD, in a statement.

He went on to say that members of the LGBT community should stop using the letters “LGBT” to describe themselves, and should instead use “YUCK.”

Carolla, on Monday afternoon, responded to GLAAD, and issued this apology:

“I’m sorry my comments were hurtful. I’m a comedian, not a politician.”

To which GLAAD responded:

“Adam Carolla has a history of making anti-LGBT and racist statements,” said Herndon Graddick, Senior Director of Programs at GLAAD. “Networks and advertisers should remember that attacking people who are different from him, and following it with empty apologies, is just a regular part of Carolla’s routine.”

Carolla’s comments were triggered when co-host Alison Rosen reported on an online petition urging Sesame Street creators to have Muppets Bert and Ernie marry.

Carolla also disparaged Chaz Bono, the female-to-male transgender son of entertainer Cher, and the late Sonny Bono.

“Every time I see Chaz Bono, my cock looks at me and says, ‘What?'” Carolla said.

Listen to the full six minute segment here:

adam-carolla

GLAAD said it would be reaching out to its allies in the entertainment world to let them know about Adam Carolla’s history of racist and homophobic remarks.

In the past, Carolla has called the people of Hawaii “dumb,” “stupid,” “in-bred,” and “retarded” people who are among the “dumbest people we have.” Last year, Carolla referred to a Filipino boxer as being illiterate, having brain damage, and someone who prays to chicken bones — and stated that this boxer was ‘all the people of the Philippines have.’

Speaking about LGBT people, Carolla has said that ‘all things being equal’ — gay parents are ‘not as good as’ straight parents. […]

[I]t’s clear that this type of ignorance is a part of his act, and maybe he thinks that homophobia and transphobia make him ‘edgy.’ Carolla should own up to the harms of his words and educate himself about the hardships and disrespect the transgender community faces every day.

GLAAD called Carolla’s decision to marginalize the transgender community “just lazy comedy” that reinforces an attitude that leads to discrimination, harassment, and violence.

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