T.I. Defends Tracy Morgan, Calls Gay Activists ‘Not American’

Paroled rapper says comedian’s controversial June stand-up set was one of his funniest ever

 

Speaking to Vibe Magazine in a December-issue cover story titled "T.I. Wants You Back," recently paroled rapper and MTV reality star Clifford Joseph Harris Jr. (aka T.I.) proved once again he has a strange way of launching a charm offensive.

T.I. told Vibe that gay activists were overly sensitive when they censored a June performance by Tracy Morgan, during which the comedian — among other controversial comments — said he’d kill his son if he found out he were gay.

Also read: Tracy Morgan Flies His Rainbow Flag

“Man, I will say this, the funniest joke I ever heard Tracy say during a stand-up was, ‘C’mon man, I think gay people are too sensitive,’” T.I. told the magazine. “'If you can take a d—, you can take a joke’ That s— was funny to me. And it’s kind of true.”

Also read: T.I. Steps Out of Prison, Back Into a Reality TV Deal

The rapper — who was released from a prison stay related to gun charges in September — then ratcheted up his argument to include the First Amendment. 

“They’re like, ‘If you have an opinion against us, we’re gonna shut you down,” he said, referring to groups like the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, which led June’s public outcry against Morgan. 

Also read: Is GLAAD Hollywood's Latest Bully?

“That’s not American,” T.I. added. “If you’re gay you should have the right to be gay in peace, and if you’re against it you should have the right to be against it in peace.”

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