Vince Vaughn wants the "gay" joke he makes in his upcoming comedy, The Dilemma, to stay in the film.
An outraged Anderson Cooper was among the first to complain about the scene, which features Vaughn, 40, stating, "Ladies and gentlemen, electric cars … are gay." He says the phrase carries negative connotations — and GLAAD, The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, agreed and got the movie's studio, Universal, to replace the movie's trailer.
But in a statement to Deadline, Vaughn says: "Let me add my voice of support to the people outraged by the bullying and persecution of people for their differences, whatever those differences may be. Comedy and joking about our differences breaks tension and brings us together. Drawing dividing lines over what we can and cannot joke about does exactly that; it divides us. Most importantly, where does it stop."
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Universal has yet to announce if the line will make it into the film, which hits screens Jan. 14.
Responding to Vaughn's remarks, GLAAD has released the following statement: “When ‘gay’ is used as a pejorative, it frequently sends a message — particularly to youth and their bullies — that being gay is wrong and something to laugh at. We invite Vince Vaughn to work with us and help ensure that gay youth and those perceived to be gay aren’t put in harm’s way by such jokes.”
