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GLAAD to present award to director Brett Ratner who dropped out of Academy Awards for using anti-gay slur

Mar 09 2013
Written by Joseph McCormick

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), has announced that it is to present film director Brett Ratner with an award at its 24th annual Media Awards later this month.

Ratner dropped out of directing the Academy Awards in 2012 because the year before he was heavily criticised for, during a press conference, saying “rehearsal is for fags”.

He has subsequently apologised profusely for using the homophobic slur, and released a statement saying that he was to step down from directing the event.

The Tower Heist director later announced that he was to produce and direct a GLAAD video campaign to promote equality for gay and trans people.

GLAAD will present Ratner with the prestigious Ally award at the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York on 16 March.

GLAAD president Herndon Graddick, released a statement regarding the award, and referred to Ratner’s support of Christine Quinn, an openly gay New York City mayoral candidate.

He said: “I’ve never worked with someone so willing to put the past behind and move forward to make a difference, whether by our campaign or by hosting a fundraiser in his home to help elect the first lesbian mayor of New York,

“This is an example of a man willing to put his ego aside and roll up his sleeves for LGBT,” Graddick continued. “I’m proud to have worked with him and I consider him a friend.

“I don’t think Brett Ratner was ever a homophobe,” said Graddick, only met Ratner after the controversy. “I think he said something stupid. Getting to know him has borne that out.”

Last weekend GLAAD confirmed that Madonna would attend the awards, to hand over the Vito Russo award to TV host, Anderson Cooper.

A poll was released recently which suggests that New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, could be in with a chance of becoming the first openly gay, and first female mayor of the city.