Calls For Removal Of Anti-Gay Language In Movie

NEW YORK - GLAAD has released a Call to Action for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community members and allies to speak out against an anti-gay scene in Universal Pictures' film "The Dilemma." 

Since late September GLAAD has received verbal promises from Universal Pictures to remove an offensive scene from the trailer for the Ron Howard feature comedy, "The Dilemma," starring Vince Vaughn.  In the scene, the actor uses the word "gay" as an insult.  Unfortunately the company has refused to agree to remove the scene in the movie before its January release date. Moreover, after promising to remove the anti-gay trailer, Universal has reportedly still not removed the trailer from theaters.

"When 'gay' is used as a pejorative in such a public way for millions to see and laugh with, it legitimizes and propels the many taunts that gay people endure," said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. "Amidst a rash of bullying related suicides and anti-gay hate crimes, we need to tell Universal and America that our community is tired of being used as a punch line."

Approximately two weeks ago--about the time GLAAD received its first complaint about the trailer--Universal asked GLAAD to provide feedback on the clip.  The feedback was clear:  it plays on the sorts of stereotypes that give license to bullies and should be taken out.  After talking to GLAAD, Universal promised to edit it out, but didn't make good on the commitment.  Then, when CNN's Anderson Cooper denounced the trailer last week, Universal again promised to remove the anti-gay joke from the trailer.  But the trailer is still running in theaters. A representative from the studio also falsely alleged that GLAAD has supported the trailer.

The trailer opens with the phrase "Electric cars are gay" in an attempt at humor, but it's hardly a joke for audiences growing increasingly frustrated by use of the word "gay" as a pejorative. Vince Vaughn's character goes on to clarify that he doesn't mean, "homosexual, gay, but, you know, my parents are chaperoning the dance, gay."

Making gay people the butt of a joke--even when the joke says they're not--feeds into damaging bias against gay people.  "Dilemma's" use of the word "gay" as an insult contributes to a social environment in which gay people are ridiculed, discriminated against--or even worse.  Most troubling are the impacts to gay youth who endure bullying with such epithets. GLAAD's Call to Action reads that "movies like "The Dilemma" that use anti-gay humor give a green light to negative words and hurtful acts that contribute to gay children's low self-esteem, perceived lack of safety and even--as we have seen in recent series of bullying-related suicides and anti-gay attacks--violence."

Rather than ignoring current events, Universal Pictures should be especially sensitive to the power of words and the message they send young people about their self-worth.

About GLAAD
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality.