10 Homophobic Slurs By Celebrities & Politicians

1. Jair Bolsonaro

Jair Bolsonaro, the former President of Brazil, has a long history of homophobic statements. In a 2011 interview with Playboy, Bolsonaro said he would "rather have a son who is an addict than a son who is gay." In a 2013 interview with British actor Stephen Fry, he claimed that "homosexual fundamentalists" were indoctrinating children to "become gays and lesbians to satisfy them sexually in the future." Bolsonaro's homophobic rhetoric has been criticized by LGBTQ+ rights advocates, and his statements have contributed to an environment in which LGBTQ+ individuals face increased risks of violence and discrimination.

See our Guide To Understanding and Overcoming Internalized Homophobia

2. Kevin Hart

In December 2018, comedian Kevin Hart stepped down as the host of the Oscars after a series of his past homophobic tweets resurfaced. The tweets, dating back to 2009-2011, contained derogatory language and homophobic slurs, including one in which he said that if his son played with a dollhouse, he would break it over his head and tell him, "That's gay." Hart initially refused to apologize, but eventually stepped down as host and issued a public apology to the LGBTQ+ community.

3. Manny Pacquiao

In February 2016, Filipino boxer and politician Manny Pacquiao made a controversial statement in a television interview, saying that people in same-sex relationships are "worse than animals." After facing backlash, Pacquiao initially defended his comments, citing his religious beliefs. However, he later apologized for his statement and said that he was not condemning LGBTQ+ individuals, but rather expressing his opposition to same-sex marriage.

4. Mike Pence

Former Vice President of the United States Mike Pence has a history of supporting policies that discriminate against LGBTQ+ individuals. As governor of Indiana, Pence signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act into law in 2015, which allowed businesses to deny service to LGBTQ+ customers on the basis of religious beliefs. Additionally, Pence has opposed LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination laws, same-sex marriage, and has been linked to supporting conversion therapy. Pence's policies and stances have been met with significant opposition from LGBTQ+ rights advocates.

5. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei

In April 2019, the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, implemented a new penal code that included death by stoning as punishment for same-sex sexual acts. The new law, based on Islamic Sharia law, drew widespread condemnation and led to boycotts of luxury hotels owned by the Sultan. Due to international pressure, Bolkiah announced in May 2019 that he would extend a moratorium on the death penalty for such cases, effectively suspending the implementation of this specific punishment.

6. Israel Folau

In April 2019, Australian rugby player Israel Folau posted an image on Instagram that stated "hell awaits" for various groups, including "homosexuals." Folau had previously made homophobic comments on social media, including a post in which he blamed natural disasters on the legalization of same-sex marriage. After the Instagram post, Rugby Australia terminated Folau's contract, and he was subsequently not selected for the Australian national team.

7. Mario Lopez

In July 2019, television host Mario Lopez made controversial comments during an appearance on "The Candace Owens Show," in which he criticized parents who support their transgender children. Lopez said that it was "dangerous" for parents to allow their children to choose their gender identity. After facing backlash, Lopez issued an apology, stating that his comments were "ignorant and insensitive" and that he has always been a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community.

8. Dutee Chand

In May 2019, Indian sprinter Dutee Chand revealed that she was in a same-sex relationship, becoming the first openly gay athlete in India's sporting history. However, her announcement was met with backlash from some members of her family and village. Her sister threatened to expel her from the family and publicly disowned her, and some villagers criticized her decision to come out. Despite facing homophobia and discrimination, Chand continued to compete and raise awareness about LGBTQ+ rights in India.

9. Piers Morgan

In January 2019, British television presenter Piers Morgan faced backlash for a series of tweets mocking actor and activist Jameela Jamil, who had just come out as queer. Morgan mocked her announcement and accused her of "virtue signaling" in order to further her career. The tweets sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing Morgan of being homophobic and insensitive. Despite the controversy, Morgan has continued to host his television show, though he has faced ongoing criticism for his provocative and divisive statements.

10. Martina Navratilova

In February 2019, tennis legend Martina Navratilova faced backlash after she published an op-ed in The Sunday Times arguing that transgender women competing in women's sports were "cheating." She claimed that transgender athletes had unfair physical advantages and that it was not a level playing field. Navratilova's comments were met with significant criticism from LGBTQ+ activists, transgender athletes, and allies. Following the backlash, Navratilova apologized for her choice of words and expressed her commitment to learning more about the issue, but she continued to express concerns about the fairness of transgender women competing in women's sports.