Here is your first look at new public service announcements featuring Isaiah Washington that will debut during tonight's season finale episode of Grey's Anatomy. The campaign is sponsored by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN).
Neil Giuliano, GLAAD's president, sent Rod 2.0 an early preview of the spot and we grabbed a few screen captures. However, the spot was previewed on Good Morning America and TMZ uploaded the video, although there are annoying graphics and sound effects. Here is the script:
“Words have power. The power to express love, happiness and joy. They also have the power to heal. When you use words that demean a person because of their sexual orientation, race or gender, you send a message of hate. A very powerful message. But we all have the power to demand better from one another and from ourselves. We have the power to heal and change the world by the words we use.”
The public awareness campaign follows Isaiah Washington's highly-publicized behind-the-scenes rift with outed cast member T.R. Knight. The messaging goes to the heart of the subject: Words are powerful. There probably will be some belly-aching within the gay e-telligentsia because the script refers to "sexual orientation" and does not say "gay", but, the spot reaches its objective.
One more thing. Isaiah Washington's future at Grey's Anatomy is not certain. Last month we ran an item that suggested the actor was being written out the series. New reports suggest that may the case ...
ABC to Debut Isaiah Washington PSA Today [GLAAD]
Isaiah Washington PSA [VIdeo: TMZ]
Seriously Over the Grey's Drama [Out.com]
You May Have Missed ...
Isaiah Washington in New Ads for GLAAD [R20]
Isaiah Out at Grey's Anatomy? [R20]
Blacks "Tolerate Homophobia" [R20]
Interesting post Rod. While, I don't know anything about the show since I don't own a television, and found his comments to be vile, mind you not illegal, just uncouth and uncivil, do they really think the PSA is going to change what's in peoples hearts? And, after all his begging, pleading, apologizing and begging some more to the gay "rights" groups to keep his gig, most of the gay sites still want his head, so, looks like IW is teaching one thing, vice your disdain for gays behind closed doors, the board rooms of America and the voting place when there is anything gay related on a ballot.
There has to be a better way to teach tolerance.
Posted by: Mimi | 24 May 2007 at 14:33
I'm glad Isaiah is doing this. He's going to be the first former homophobe to come out and campaign against that very which we all strive to put an end on. And that is bigotry. Kudos Isaiah!! It really doesn't matter what he says or believes behind closed doors as long as he's doing the right thing in public.
Posted by: Shabaka | 24 May 2007 at 17:59
Shabaka, I totally agree. Isaiah has come around and is preaching tolerance and has admitted mistakes. Isaiah did not have to make the commercial. Some of us forget that we need all of teh allies wecan get.
Posted by: derrick | 24 May 2007 at 19:29
It's a good, solid public awareness announcement. It's not supposed to be an earth-shattering commercial, it's supposed to make you think.
I'm glad Isaiah Washington did this.
Posted by: ca | 24 May 2007 at 19:39