CNN's Roland Martin to meet with GLAAD after tweets
CNN commentator Roland Martin, who was suspended by the network Wednesday after tweeting homophobic remarks during the Super Bowl, has agreed to meet with GLAAD, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
On Sunday Martin tweeted: "If a dude at your Super Bowl party is hyped about David Beckham's H&M underwear ad, smack the ish out of him!"
In another Tweet, he wrote: "Who the hell was that New England Patriot they just showed in a head to toe pink suit? Oh, he needs a visit from #teamwhipdatass."
After Martin's Tweets, GLAAD immediately responded by posting an online petition calling for his dismissal. On Monday, the advocacy group added a video to the petition of an African American man being brutally attacked while people shout anti-gay slurs at the victim.
“For some people, this is what ‘smacking the ish out of them’ can look like,” GLAAD said.
The petition had more than 7,500 signatures by Wednesday.
In a statement released Wednesday, CNN called Martin's tweets "regrettable and offensive" and said that he would "not be appearing on our air for the time being."
The network did not say how long Martin's suspension would last.
Martin, who claims that he was bullied as a child, later apologized for his words and said that he does not advocate violence against gays. He then posted to his Twitter account that he would meet with GLAAD.
"I look forward to meeting with GLAAD in the near future and having a productive dialogue," Martin tweeted.
The group tweeted back, "We look forward to a productive dialogue and to working together as well."
MORE:
GLAAD angry over CNN analyst Roland Martin's David Beckham tweet
GLAAD applauds NBA's decision to fine Kobe Bryant $100,000 for anti-gay slur
--Melissa Rohlin
Photo: Roland Martin. Credit: Haraz N. Ghanbari / Associated Press
