Tracy Morgan Apologizes To Kevin Rogers, Gay Community For Homophobic Rant

Tracy Morgan has taken another step in his apology tour for his June 3rd homophobic rant in Nashville, Tennessee, appearing in that city to meet with Kevin Rogers, the man who initially reported the rant on Facebook, and issuing a heartfelt apology at a press conference organized by GLAAD.

Morgan, who released a statement of apology following the public outcry that came upon news of his rant, in which he said, among other things, he'd kill his son if he were gay and that being gay is a choice, came under heavy criticism from outraged fans and fellow celebrities, including harsh statements from "30 Rock" co-stars Tina Fey and Cheyenne Jackson.

"I didn't mean it. I don’t have a hateful bone in my body," Morgan said in his statement at the press conference. "I don’t believe that anyone should be bullied or just made to feel bad about who they are. I totally feel that, in my heart, I really don’t care who you love, same-sex or not, as long as you have the ability to love. So now, at this point in my life, it's an opportunity to make a difference, I don't really see gay or straight, I just see human beings."

The meeting and apology was good enough for Rogers, who said he forgave Morgan.

"In the weeks since then and seeing what actions that Tracy has taken on himself to go out in our community and try to make a difference, and I had the opportunity to meet and speak with Tracy prior to coming to here, and he shared his genuine concern with his words and has promised me that his actions going forward are going to be positive and supportive of my community," Rogers said at the event.

Not everyone thought Morgan should apologize; fellow comedian Louis CK has defended Morgan on multiple occasions.

Watch the video below, and then read Morgan and Rogers' statements in full.

WATCH:

Morgan:

The first thing I want to say is that I apologize to Kevin and people that were at the show for bumming them out. I want to apologize to my friends and my family and my fans and everyone in every community who were offended with this. I didn't mean it. I don’t have a hateful bone in my body. I don’t believe that anyone should be bullied or just made to feel bad about who they are. I totally feel that, in my heart, I really don’t care who you love, same-sex or not, as long as you have the ability to love. So now, at this point in my life, it's an opportunity to make a difference, I don't really see gay or straight, I just see human beings now. I pride myself on 20 years, 18 years of standup, of using it to heal people and not hurt. That was my whole thing. And I hurt people with this. So, from the bottom of my heart, I apologize to everyone who I offended with my words on stage, in Nashville and everywhere else. I want to take this opportunity, to err is human, to forgive is divine. Thank you Kevin, thank you everybody, for your support. I just want to take this opportunity to help and not hurt.

Rogers:

Certainly, on June the 3rd, when I went to see Tracy, I had no idea we'd be sitting here through this. I was very excited to see Tracy that night, and regardless of popular belief, I didn't leave angry or offended. I was mainly just saddened by the words Tracy had to say that night because I had always assumed that Tracy was an ally to the LGBT community. And so in the weeks since then and seeing what actions that Tracy has taken on himself to go out in our community and try to make a difference, and I had the opportunity to meet and speak with Tracy prior to comign to here, and he shared his genuine concern with his words and has promised me that his actions going forward are going to be positive and supportive of my community. And I greatly appreciate what he said and really appreciate him taking time out to try and right what I belief was just a huge mistake.