LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), a member-supported public media network. Hear our news on-air at our partner site:
In 2011, Brett Ratner stirred up a shitstorm by using the word "fag" at a Q&A for his then-newly released film, "The Heist," and subsequently dropped out of producing the Oscars because of the outrage he caused. Well, since then, Ratner has been cleaning up his image with the LGBT community and according to The Hollywood Reporter, he accepted an Ally Award from GLAAD on Saturday night.
The entertainment site reports that Ratner's message was clear: People were pissed at him after he used the word in question, but the shit he took is nothing compared to what some LGBT kids get growing up and trying to find acceptance:
"Being insulted for using the word cannot compare to the experience of any young gay man or woman who has been the target of offensive slurs or derogatory comments."
Ratner described the kind of name-calling that went down after he dropped the f-bomb, including being called "Homophobe. Bigot. Gay-basher. Ignorant frat boy," and, in a counterproductive moment, "Fat, Jewish pig."