Carson Daly Offends Gay Community With JetBlue Joke

Carson Daly, who has hosted numerous television and radio programs including MTV’s Total Request Live, is in hot water over comments he made on his L.A. radio show earlier today. The comments we...
Carson Daly Offends Gay Community With JetBlue Joke
Written by Amanda Crum
  • Carson Daly, who has hosted numerous television and radio programs including MTV’s Total Request Live, is in hot water over comments he made on his L.A. radio show earlier today.

    The comments were in reference to the JetBlue pilot who suffered a panic attack on a recent flight and had to be restrained after causing a scene. The flight, which was headed to a convention in Las Vegas, was forced to land in Texas in order for authorities to gain control of the situation.

    Daly said, “On this particular flight, most of the people were on their way to some sort of security conference in Las Vegas…so it was a bunch of dudes, and well-trained dudes. If that were me, with my luck, it would be like … ‘this is the flight going to [the gay pride parade] in San Francisco … I mean, that would be my colleagues. ‘Uh, we’re headed down to Vegas for the floral convention. Can we get a little help up here with the pilot?’

    And then, in a mocking tone of voice, he said, “Oh no!” to which the female he was talking to said, “I might break my nails”.

    (image)

    Many in the gay community took offense to his words, which were construed as cruel and unnecessary by attempting to paint LGBT individuals as incapable of defending themselves or taking action when it is needed. Daly later apologized via Twitter and sent a statement to GLAAD:

    This morning on my radio show I attempted to make fun of myself & offended others by mistake. I sincerely apologize.(image) 22 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry® ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    “We live in a time where gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals find courage every day to overcome adversity, stand up to bullying and find equality. I’m truly saddened that my words today suggested otherwise. I’ve long been a supporter of gay, lesbian, and transgender rights, and I’m saddened that my comments, however unintentional, offended anyone, specifically members of the LGBT community. The fact that I have hurt anyone is devastating. I’m not that guy. I’m proud to be an ally of the LGBT community and will continue to fight with them.”

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