Celebrities Who Changed Their Stance On Gay Rights

Recently, Kevin Hart stated that he was no longer going to include jokes about gays in his act. He made this known despite having a whole bit about the possibility of his son being gay in his 2010 standup, Seriously Funny. But he’s not the only celebrity who has changed their stance on the LGBTQ community and gay rights. These stars say they see things differently these days.

A$AP Rocky

The rapper said past homophobia stemmed from kids who called him “gay” for loving fashion when he was young.

“I used to be homophobic, but as I got older, I realized that wasn’t the way to do things. I don’t discriminate against anybody for their sexual preference, for their skin color … that’s immature.”

Eminem

Once upon a time, Eminem’s songs were full of homophobic lyrics. But in 2010, he spoke out in support of gay marriage in classic Eminem fashion, saying that everyone deserves the chance to be “miserable” if they want.

50 Cent

Curtis Jackson caused quite the controversy back in 2004 when he said the following in a Playboy interview: “I ain’t into fa**ots. I don’t like gay people around me, because I’m not comfortable with what their thoughts are. I’m not prejudiced. I just don’t go with gay people and kick it — we don’t have that much in common.”

But in 2012, 50 said it was President Obama who helped him have a change of heart: “Obama is for same-sex marriage. If the president is saying that, then who am I to go the other way?”

Jay Z

50 Cent isn’t the only rapper President Obama influenced. After years of including homophobic slurs in his lyrics, Jay Z came out in support of gay marriage shortly after the POTUS:

“What people do in their own homes is their business and you can choose to love whoever you love. That’s their business. It’s no different than discriminating against Blacks. It’s discrimination, plain and simple.”

Iggy Azalea

Iggy Azalea once tweeted about “dyke bi**hes” and “When guys whisper in each others ears I always think its kinda homo.” But when she was forced to cancel her appearance at Pittsburgh’s LGBT pride event because of backlash over the old tweets, she suddenly changed her tune saying that she fully supports equality. “I am a firm believer in equality. Unfortunately in the past as a young person, I used words I should not have.”

Tim Hardaway

Back in 2007, Tim Hardaway had zero problem admitting his homophobia saying, “I hate gay people, so let it be known. I don’t like gay people and I don’t like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. It should not be in the world or in the United States.”

But by 2014, Hardaway did such a 180 that he added his high-profile name to a petition to support marriage equality in the state of Florida. He credits counseling sessions as the primary reason for his change of heart.

Isaiah Washington

A lot of people have trouble forgetting the time Isaiah Washington was fired from Grey’s Anatomy for calling his co-star a homophobic slur. But Washington has since confessed that his slur came from his own insecurities, as he was beaten up growing up because people thought he was gay. In 2014, he supported the NOH8 campaign, and these days, tweets things like “Love is love.”

President Barack Obama

Before he helped the nation turn around, President Obama had to change his own mind about supporting gay marriage after being comfortable with civil unions only. He credits his daughters’ influence for helping him do so.

Paris Hilton

It was hard to know what to think after Paris Hilton was caught on tape saying “Gay guys are the horniest people in the world. Most of them probably have AIDS.” But shortly after the tape was released by the cab driver who recorded her conversation, she profusely apologized. “I am so sorry and so upset that I caused pain to my gay friends, fans and their families.” She continued, “Gay people are the strongest and most inspiring people I know.” I suppose that counts as a turnaround.

Tracy Morgan

When Tracy Morgan made a joke about stabbing his son to death if he even used a “gay voice,” even his fans and famous friends were shocked. But Tracy Morgan said that thanks to some long talks with Russell Simmons and work with GLAAD helping homeless gay teens in New York, he’s no longer singing the same tune:

“The truth is if i had a gay son, I would love him just as much as if he was straight… I might have to try to love even more because I know of the difficulty that he would have in society.”

Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin was harboring at least a little ill will in his heart when he called a photographer a gay slur in 2013 and a reporter a “queen.” After he lost his MSNBC talk show because of his statements, he quickly apologized.

“My ill-advised attack on George Stark of the Daily Mail had absolutely nothing to do with issues of anyone’s sexual orientation. My anger was directed at Mr. Stark for blatantly lying and disseminating libelous information about my wife and her conduct at our friend’s funeral service. As someone who fights against homophobia, I apologize.”

Dick Cheney

Back in 2004, former Vice President Dick Cheney was strongly against gay marriage. Then his daughter Mary Cheney came out of the closet. Cheney then softened his stance, saying that he was for gay marriage, but it should be up to individual states to make the decision as to whether or not it should be allowed.

Hillary Clinton

In the ’90s, prior to it being ruled unconstitutional, Hillary Clinton fully supported Bill’s decision to sign the Defense of Marriage Act. But knowing that she would put in her bid for president at some point, Hillary publicly announced her support for gay marriage in 2013. And even her husband has said that he regrets signing the act.

Chris Brown

Chris Brown’s change of opinion on gay rights happened in just one year. A few months after he allegedly said “I’m not into this gay s–t” before an altercation with a man in D.C., Brown tweeted this in defense of marriage equality: “Love is not a crime. Gay or straight. Love who u wanna love. Stop the hate & sign here.”