Billy Eichner calls out ‘toxic masculinity’ after Kevin Hart Oscars row
Steven Ferdman/Getty
Gay comedian Billy Eichner has called out “toxic masculinity” after Kevin Hart stepped down as host of the 2019 Oscars when past homophobic tweets were circulated.
Writing on Twitter, Eichner said that toxic masculinity “is real” and that he has to deal with it in his own way too.
He also said he appreciated Hart’s apology to the LGBT+ community for his homophobic remarks, and finished by saying: “Apology accepted. That’s all.”
In another tweet, Eichner said: “On a serious note, I’ve been around in this business for a minute. As one of very few openly gay men in comedy who’s fortunate enough to work as much as I do, I will ALWAYS fight for my LGBTQ community to get the respect we deserve. ALWAYS.”
After Hart announced that he would be stepping down from the post, Eichner tweeted to say that he wants the “cast of Love Simon, the ghost of Harvey Milk and the entire executive board of Planned Parenthood” to host the Oscars.
in another follow-up tweet, he said he wanted to see philosopher Noam Chomsky host the awards ceremony.
Kevin Hart’s Oscars downfall
The controversy began earlier this week when Kevin Hart announced on Instagram that he would be hosting the 2019 Oscars ceremony, calling it the “opportunity of a lifetime.”
However, Twitter users quickly unearthed a series of homophobic tweets that were posted by Hart between 2009-2011 in which he used homophobic slurs.
Paras Griffin/Getty
Hart ultimately announced on 6 December that he would be stepping down as he did not want to be “a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists.”
He also apologised to the LGBT+ community for his “insensitive words.”
Kevin Hart’s homophobic tweets
In the tweets that were unearthed by Twitter users after Hart was announced as the 2019 Oscars host, he used homophobic slurs and made derogatory comments about the gay community.
“I just saw a lesbian walk out of the mens bathroom! Wtf was she doing? R they pissing in urinals now?” he wrote in one August 2009 tweet.
One September 2009 post read: “How can u tell if ur pittbull is gay? My dog just farted and it sounded like he whistled!!!!!”
And, in one August 2009 comment, he wrote: “lmao, that’s why u sweat 4 know reason u fat faced fag.”
Hart appeared to respond to the social media criticism, writing on Twitter on Thursday (December 6), without apologising for his past remarks.
“I was asked the most amazing question from my kids today on the phone….they said ‘Dad why don’t you get mad when people talk about you on the internet’ …my answer was ‘I never see that stuff because I’m to busy being happy & loving you 2,’” he wrote.
Hart has previously come under fire for anti-gay comments he made during his 2010 Seriously tour.
“One of my biggest fears is my son growing up and being gay. That’s a fear,” he said at the time.
“Keep in mind, I’m not homophobic. . . . Be happy. Do what you want to do. But me, as a heterosexual male, if I can prevent my son from being gay, I will.”
