Terry Crews apologises for calling kids with gay parents ‘malnourished’
Terry Crews was heavily criticised for his initial comments. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty and twitter)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Terry Crews has apologised for saying that children with same-sex parents “will be severely malnourished.”
The American actor sparked outrage with the tweets on February 25, which also saw him say that “paternal AND maternal love are like vitamins and minerals to humanity.”
But on Tuesday (March 5), Crews wrote that an on-set conversation with openly bisexual Brooklyn Nine-Nine co-star Stephanie Beatriz had changed his thinking.
Terry Crews apologised for the remarks after a chat with Stephanie Beatriz. (terrycrews/twitter)
“Had a great talk with @iamstephbeatz this morning on set that shed a lot of light on why the LBGTQ community were hurt by my comments,” the 50-year-old star tweeted.
“I want to apologise for anyone who was triggered or felt targeted. I was speaking out of my very personal experiences as a Black Father,” continued Crews.
Stephanie Beatriz changed Terry Crews’ way of thinking, according to him. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty)
“And while these experiences for me are very true and real, these can differ greatly from the experiences of others. Being able to sit with @iamstephbeatz gave me a perspective I had not seen before.
“I believe men need to be more vulnerable in order to fix the many problems that we created and this starts with me. We don’t always have to agree, but we must always listen.”
He added: “I love every person on earth, and want to see every man, woman and child flourish.”
Terry Crews praised for apology after Stephanie Beatriz talk
People rushed to commend Crews for the way in which he apologised for his comments.
One person wrote: “You took the time to listen to a different perspective and learnt something from it? Seems easy, but most people wouldn’t do so, good on you!”
Another said: “Props for being sensitive to folks your words may have hurt & mega-props to Sister @Iamstephbeatz for hearing YOU & giving you loving advice.
“Even though it’s a convo that inflames emotions, I think MOST rational folks knew that you meant no malice w/your words, Brother! ✊ ”
“Good for you brother!” tweeted a different commenter. “I’m happy you didn’t turn into a Mc***hole like most people do over things of this subject.
This made my gay heart grow three sizes. Thank you both! You’re both incredible humans!
— Amanda Holland about Terry Crews and Stephanie Beatriz
“We’re only human and we make mistakes. It takes a strong human being to apologise.”
One fan said: “Thank you Terry. I’m one of your LBGTQ fans and I appreciate this.”
Others heaped praise on Beatriz for stepping in to educate her co-star.
“This made my gay heart grow three sizes. Thank you both! You’re both incredible humans!” wrote one such tweeter.
Another commented: “Thank you @terrycrews for, as always, being the bigger man and being willing to listen and learn.
“Thank you @iamstephbeatz for doing the often exhausting and thankless job of kindly educating. I sincerely appreciate your work and visibility on behalf of our community.”
A different fan wrote: “@iamstephbeatz THANK U FOR ALWAYS STANDING UP FOR THE LGBT+ COMMUNITY we appreciate it so much thank you for giving us a voice.”
