DaBaby’s comments are an ongoing saga, it seems. In the latest turn, gay icon Leslie Jordan attempted to school DaBaby’s bodyguard T.I. – and instead agreed to buy him dinner.
Following DaBacklash of DaBaby’s comments, T.I. was quick to jump to his defense saying in an Instagram Live:
“Why do words cause such a visceral reaction that will lead to someone trying to attack, villainize, demonize, crucify [and] condemn? That sh– is like, now you bullying. We all stood up on behalf of gays and lesbians and people in the gay community because we thought it was some bullsh– for y’all to have to be bullied. … But I don’t think any of us did that to feel like you would now have the authority to come and bully us.”
WHEN exactly T.I. stood up for our community, we’re not sure. Also, you can’t say you stand up for us and then perpetuate falsehoods that encourage homophobia, that’s not how this works.
He ironically added, “You don’t get to condemn people just because they think differently than you. That’s not equality.” But marginalizing people with HIV is equality?
Honestly. You can tell homophobes are outright idiots because they think their free speech is more important than everybody else’s human rights.
“It took you a while to accept the difference in yourself to where you could share it with the world,” T.I. added. “So if it took you that time to accept yourself, how long do you think it will take us to accept you? You gotta give us some time too.”
In which case, give us some time to ‘accept’ your homophobia and by the time your mate has lost his sponsors maybe we’ll be over it?
Now, it seems T.I. is ready to make amends and he’s starting with Will & Grace actor Leslie Jordan, who posted a video stating: “He said some very homophobic things… he needs to quit talking like that. What would your mama think, you out there talking like that T.I.?”
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And T.I. replied.
“I truly believe this is the way we evolve and progress as a society,” he said. “While I’m clueless as to what I said that was offensive/homophobic I welcome the opportunity to speak with you on the matter.
“I’m hoping we can sit down and have a conversation next time I come to LA, affording you the chance to convey your perspective to me, while allowing me to express mine to you.
“I truly believe that moments of calamity and confusion are teachable moments… as long as we’re willing to communicate respectfully having open ears, open minds, and open dialogue without attacking or condemning one another,” he continued.
“Who knows, this could be the stroke of serendipity that raises awareness, enlightens the dim, and improves the way [gays] and straights communicate and co-exist in the future.”
While we agree that this was the more mature way to handle the situation, most of the LGBTQ community will agree that the way T.I. jumped to DaBaby’s defense was almost as misguided as the original comments.
It’s not often you get a complete 180 from homophobes unless their homophobic friend has just been dropped from a ton of projects because of it. So while I think we should welcome T.I.’s attempt to learn, I don’t think we should believe it’s a wholly altruistic move.
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You definitely shouldn’t be offering a free education lesson and buying a bigot dinner… but that’s exactly what Leslie did:
“This was a classy move, my friend. You made my day. Thank you for reaching out and I wish you nothing but [peace] and [love]. And yes, I am sure we have much more in common than we do differences. Dinner on me when we meet. Love. Light. Leslie.”
Listen, before we go any further, just know that I love Leslie Jordan like every other gay man. However, the way that he pandered to T.I.’s reply makes him so much less likable to me. Why has a grown man willing to listen ‘made his day’? Is the bar really that low?
Not forgetting that T.I. is a man who takes his daughter for ‘hymen check-ups’ every year to monitor her virginity.