Mike Fleming

Before Brett Ratner resigned from hosting the Academy Awards, he met with GLAAD to apologize for his homophobic comment. GLAAD has announced it will mobilize a series of forums to discuss the image of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender images, and I’m told by the organization that Ratner is expected to potentially take part. Here is the announcement:

November 08 , 2011, Los Angeles, CA – GLAAD, the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today announced plans for a series of public discussions on LGBT images in Hollywood, following director Brett Ratner’s resignation as a producer of the 84th Annual Academy Awards.

During a question and answer session about his film ‘Tower Heist,’ Ratner was asked whether he rehearses with his actors before shooting a scene. Ratner replied, “Rehearsing is for f*gs,” according to New York Magazine‘s Vulture blog.

Following meetings with GLAAD as well as outrage from community members and allies, Ratner issued an apology and today resigned as producer of the 84th Annual Academy Awards. GLAAD and Ratner are working to convene public discussions featuring leaders in the entertainment industry about promoting fair and accurate inclusions of LGBT people and stories. The discussions will address anti-LGBT jokes and slurs in films and on television today as well as their trickle-down effect into popular culture. The first event will take place in coming weeks with additional discussions to take place over the next three years. Additional details to follow.

“When we sat down with Brett today, he seemed very sincere in his desire to use this experience as a way to begin speaking out against anti-gay language in popular culture,” said Herndon Graddick, Senior Director of Programs and Communications at GLAAD. “We believe his resignation is just the first step and will be announcing a series of concrete actions with Brett in coming days and weeks.”

“Hollywood has the power and responsibility to grow acceptance of all communities,” said GLAAD Acting President Mike Thompson. “We look forward to working with Brett and the industry in promoting positive, culture-changing images of our community and sending a message that such slurs, used to belittle gay and lesbian youth and adults every day, have no place in mainstream popular culture or the industry that creates it.”