Director Brett Ratner has teamed up
with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) to
produce and direct a gay rights video campaign.
Wednesday's announcement comes just
three months after Ratner stepped down as producer of this year's
Oscars for using an anti-gay slur.
Ratner said during a Q&A following
a screening of his latest film, Tower Heist, that “rehearsing
is for fags.” He apologized for the remark and resigned as
producer of the annual awards show.
“Working together with GLAAD has been
a very positive and enlightening experience for me, and I could not
be more pleased to be developing this crucial campaign to help
educate people that we all share the same humanity,” Ratner said in
a statement announcing the initiative. “I am excited to get to
work on this program and hope that minds and hearts are opened by
what we create.”
The series will feature celebrities,
professional athletes and politicians coming “out of the closet”
as supporters of gay rights.
“Straight allies are crucial to
creating a culture in which LGBT people are respected and supported,”
said Herndon Graddick, senior director of programs and communications
at GLAAD. “We look forward to working with Brett and these other
inspiring Americans who are speaking out and standing up for their
LGBT friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers.”