Oscars fallout over anti-gay tweets
COMEDIAN Kevin Hart has stepped down as host of the Academy Awards amid outcry over his past homophobic tweets.
Hart wrote on Twitter yesterday that he was withdrawing because he didn’t want to be a distraction at the February 24 ceremony.
“I sincerely apologise to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past,” Hart tweeted.
Hart stepped aside soon after refusing to apologise for tweets that resurfaced when he was announced as Oscars host.
Hart has deleted some of the anti-gay tweets, mostly dated from 2009-2011.
In 2011, he wrote, “Yo if my son comes home & try’s 2 play with my daughters doll house I’m going 2 break it over his head & say n my voice ‘stop that’s gay.”
Hart’s attitudes about homosexuality were also a well-known part of his standup act.
In the 2010 special Seriously Funny, he said, “One of my biggest fears is my son growing up and being gay.
“Keep in mind, I’m not homophobic, I have nothing against gay people, do what you want to do, but me, being a heterosexual male, if I can prevent my son from being gay, I will.”