GLAAD Not Buying Vince Vaughn's Defense Of Gay Joke In 'The Dilemma'

 
PUBLISHED: OCTOBER 17, 2010

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) on Friday 

rejected Vince Vaughn's defense of a gay joke in the upcoming 

Ron Howard-directed comedy film The Dilemma.

Laughing about our differences brings us together, Vaughn said in 

responding to calls to cut the joke from the film, set for release in 

January.

After CNN host Anderson Cooper criticized the film's trailer during an

 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Universal Pictures responded 

by altering the online version of the trailer.

The new trailer no longer includes Vaughn's character in a boardroom

 saying, “Electric cars are gay. I mean not 'homosexual' gay, but 'my 

parents are chaperoning the dance' gay.”

Vaughn said that while he was “outraged” by bullying and persecution, 

joking about our differences “brings us together.”

“Drawing divided lines over what we can and cannot joke about does exact 

that; it divides us,” he said in a statement to celebrity website E! “Most importantly, where does it stop.”

In a blog posting Friday, GLAAD disagreed.

“We don't doubt Vince Vaughn's sincerity when he says he cares about

 people who are bullied for their 'differences.' Nor do we doubt that 

Universal executives feel the same way.”

“But this isn't about intent. It's about the fact that no matter what the 

intent, when 'gay' is used as a pejorative, it sends a message, particularly

 to youth, that gay taunts are acceptable. And it sends a message to LGBT

 youth that they are people who should be made fun of.”

“Vince is right. Comedy does bring us together, unless one of us is the 

punchline. Then it pushes us apart,” the group added.

BY ON TOP MAGAZINE STAFF