Nov

25

2011

T.I. Discusses Gay Rights In VIBE

Written by Trent | Filed under T.I

T.I. raised the heat when he released his new ‘Pyro’ single earlier this week but now he has sparked a different kind of fire. The rapper was featured on the cover of VIBE’s December/January Year-End issue and as part of the accompanying interview he addressed the highly controversial topic of gay rights.

Although T.I. made it clear that he does not discriminate against anybody for their sexual orientation, he did suggest that some gay people are overly sensitive. In fact, he claimed that while gay people should have the right to be gay then other people should have the right to be against it.

Read exactly what T.I. had to say about the issue in VIBE below:

“Man, I will say this, the funniest joke I ever heard Tracy say during a stand-up was, ‘C’mon man, I think gay people are too sensitive. If you can take a dick, you can take a joke. [Cracks up laughing.] That shit was funny to me. And it’s kind of true.”

While T.I. makes clear that he supports anyone’s sexual preference, he then connects, in his opinion, a current oversensitivity among gay people with a consequential and ironic offense of the First Amendment.

“They’re like,‘If you have an opinion against us, we’re gonna shut you down.’ That’s not American. If you’re gay you should have the right to be gay in peace, and if you’re against it you should have the right to be against it in peace.”

Read more on VIBE.

Several people will likely be upset by T.I’s remarks but he did indeed raise a viable point. Everybody deserves the right to express their views. However, how those perspectives are shared is what causes problems. Still, it is great to hear T.I. and Game, who talked about gay men in Hip-Hop earlier this year, voicing their opinions on gay culture because these discussions will only help the industry to progress.

Thoughts?

• Tweet
• Make sure that you follow The Lava Lizard on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr

Keys: cover, december, TI, vibe magazine

16 Comments

1. Annie says:

   November 25, 2011 at 2:15 pm

   I don’t think what he said was that offensive and I support gay rights. And so does the country I live in – Canada.

   But good luck to him. GLAAD and organizations like it are as tough as PETA – the animal rights group. If I were him I’d just shut up on anything political like that. But what does he care really? Rich bastard. lol
2. Tha Dizturb'd Wun says:

   November 25, 2011 at 2:15 pm

   I just gotta disagree with T.I. How can you have the right to say something against gays, but gays don’t have the right to speak against those who speak against gays?
3. Jessica says:

   November 25, 2011 at 2:18 pm

   So if people have the right to be straight, should people be allowed to be against straight people? Not a smart comment by T.I.
4. The Truth says:

   November 25, 2011 at 2:47 pm

   EVERYBODY has a right to an opinion. People shouldn’t take it to extremes and go overboard when they disagree is all he’s saying.
5. Hesings says:

   November 25, 2011 at 4:10 pm

   As a gay person I agree with him.
6. oiiiiiii jazmine says:

   November 25, 2011 at 4:21 pm

   Well atleast TRENT didn’t twist his words……..

   I agree but I wish T.I. would consider the children in school who ate bullied because of their sexuality…there are kids that mau look up to T.I. and feel that look he said I can display my dislike of homosexuality sso what I’m doing (bullying) is not wrong. I think artists should speak out against bullying.

   The most offensive thing about his comments was the Tracy Morgan Joke. He should’ve just left that out. *heads over to Perez hilton to see her dramatics*
7. Girrrl says:

   November 25, 2011 at 4:26 pm

   Gay people need to get over themselves. Straight people get bullied too but they ain’t jumping off bridges because.f.it. they need to grow a backbone.
8. . says:

   November 25, 2011 at 5:06 pm

   He has a point. But MOST straight people think it’s okay to gay bash. So while he’s saying it’s okay to voice an opinion, a majority of straight people go overboard. That’s when it becomes not okay. You can say “I don’t agree with being gay” all day long, but that Tracy Morgan joke wasn’t funny.
9. Jaime says:

   November 25, 2011 at 6:44 pm

   I feel that he had good intentions. Those who do not support gay rights should be allowed to voice themselves in a peaceful way I don’t think he’s promoting physical protests.
10. chitwnborn says:

    November 25, 2011 at 9:23 pm

    I think what T.I. is saying is that Gay people have the right to live the way they want but they dont have to shove it in everybody face and be overly defensive when some one disagrees. For example if someone is asked if they agree with Gay people lifestyle and they say No, its doesnt mean they dont respect them as people. So GLAAD shouldnt jump down their throat. You can respect people without agreeing with everything about them.
11. Leo FAmemonster says:

    November 25, 2011 at 10:38 pm

    really?! Really?! so I am sure he would try and shut down racist musicians and artists as has society in the past. Why would gay people be any different in defending themselves and gay youth against homophobic tools who are in the public eye none the less. So then when Kramer blasted black people that was ok? and people have the right to agree but people have the right to shut down hate. If the gay culture condemns a homophobic person it’s right. But the gay culture did not shut down Tracy he did it himself. If gays don’t listen and gay supporters don’t but voice there anger for it then its on Tracy for loosing fans.
12. My Voyce says:

    November 25, 2011 at 11:40 pm

    I agree with TI because straight people can’t even state an opinion on the subject of Gays without being ostracized.

    Gay people need to comprehend that it’s okay for everyone to give a view and that neither group speaks for the other.It’s ridiculous for Gays to feel they speak for everyone when it comes to the issue of Homosexuality..
13. My Voyce says:

    November 25, 2011 at 11:45 pm

    I wish Gays would stop comparing your situation to Blacks because it’s clear to many Blacks that you are just trying to use Blacks on this issue.I say this because you don’t reference other groups that have been persecuted so why would you even try to use Blacks in your issue?

    I hate to burst your bubbles but Blacks like any group can have an opinion on this issue as well.
14. C says:

    November 26, 2011 at 12:15 am

    so I guess people should have the right to be racist in peace :/
15. DOMOdotSCORE says:

    November 26, 2011 at 12:25 am

    I’ve learned that it’s not about what you say but how you say it. I agree with T.I. when he said that people should be allowed to speak their minds, but there is one condition: you have to convey your point in the most tactful way. If you’re disrespectful and threatening as Tracy Morgan was, then you deserve the repercussions that come along with your free speech.
16. LegendTina The Goddess Of Music says:

    November 26, 2011 at 6:38 am

    He is so right! Do you guyd know and understand what he said! If people are against it they should be against it in peace! That’s whay it is some people just seen against gays instead of against gays IN PEACE. No againt them in bashing because everyone has their own believes and everyone she respect everyone’s life. #Peace