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Washington urges tolerance in TV spot

(AP)
Updated: 2007-05-25 11:06




LOS ANGELES - "Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington, making amends for
his use of an anti-gay slur, cautions in a public service announcement
that "words have power" to hurt or heal.

Washington's filmed message, which was to begin airing Thursday night
during reruns of his ABC show, stemmed from a January meeting with
officials from the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, GLSEN, and
the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, GLAAD.

The actor provoked a furor by using the epithet backstage at the Golden
Globe Awards in January while denying he'd used it previously against
cast mate T.R. Knight.

Washington's "willingness to do something to address the hurt and harm he
may have caused has to be respected," said Eliza Byard, GLSEN deputy
executive director. "Millions of people who might not have thought about
the impact of this language may take a moment to reflect upon it.

"I hope viewers will take a moment to reflect on the power of words,
particularly when it comes to the lives of young people and their
experience at school."

In his meeting with the civil rights group, Washington apologized and
agreed to help fight bias against those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender, the groups said.

His public service announcement, produced by ABC, urges tolerance for all.

"Words have power. The power to express love, happiness and joy. They
also have the power to heal," Washington says in the message. "When you
use words that demean a person because of their sexual orientation, race
or gender, you send a message of hate. ... We have the power to heal and
change the world by the words we use."

The actor's future with "Grey's Anatomy" is uncertain. In the season
finale, his character, Dr. Preston Burke, was seen calling off his
wedding and moving out of his fiancee's apartment.

A spokesman for Washington has expressed confidence that the actor will
return to the show, but ABC said contract negotiations are as yet
unresolved.












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