Joy-Ann Reid Issues Apology for Homophobic Comments Controversy

MSNBC host Joy Ann Reid has issued an apology on her show AM Joy this morning, after anti-LGBTQ statements were found on her old blog, The Reid Report. When the reports first surfaced, Reid alleged that that they were the results of a cyber attack, but she said today that cyber security experts have not yet been able to prove that a hack allegedly occurred.

“I genuinely do not believe I wrote those hateful things,” she said, noting that they are “completely alien” to her, and also saying that she understands “why people wouldn’t believe me” based on an apology given for much of the same in December. Reid was referring to the unearthed posts from 2007, where she mocked then-Florida governor Charlie Crist. Reid apologized to Crist, saying, “It was insensitive, tone-deaf and dumb. There is no excusing it — not based on the taste-skewing mores of talk radio or the then-blogosphere, and not based on my intentions.”

Reid spent some time discussing the issue on her show today, touching on her conservative upbringing and how her views changed as she grew older. “I have not been exempt from being dumb or cruel or hurtful to the very people I want to advocate for,” she said. “I own that. For that, I am truly, truly sorry.” She then introduced a panel of LGBTQ advocates who discussed the effects of harmful speech and how it impacts the queer community.

Whether she was hacked or made the statements herself, the apology is eloquent and heartfelt, and shows that Reid is committed to doing better. The bad news is that everyone is guilty of saying or doing something ignorant and embarrassing on the internet. The good news? Like Reid, we all have the opportunity and the ability to evolve our views, educate ourselves, and make amends. You can watch Reid’s apology in the clip below:

(via The Huffington Post, image: MSNBC)

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Chelsea Steiner

Chelsea was born and raised in New Orleans, which explains her affinity for cheesy grits and Britney Spears. An pop culture journalist since 2012, her work has appeared on Autostraddle, AfterEllen, and more. Her beats include queer popular culture, film, television, republican clownery, and the unwavering belief that 'The Long Kiss Goodnight' is the greatest movie ever made. She currently resides in sunny Los Angeles, with her husband, 2 sons, and one poorly behaved rescue dog. She is a former roller derby girl and a black belt in Judo, so she is not to be trifled with. She loves the word “Jewess” and wishes more people used it to describe her.

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