The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has condemned MTV for giving a VMA award to Tyler, The Creator, a rapper, record producer and music video director from Los Angeles. Tyler, whose real name is Tyler Okonma, won Best New Artist for the music video for “Yonkers,” the first single from his second album, Goblin, which was released May 10, 2011.
GLAAD describes Tyler as “violently anti-gay” and has criticized him in the past for using slurs such as “faggot” in lyrics, as well as references to rape and domestic violence.
In a statement GLAAD said that the star and his band Odd Future write “some of the most violently anti-gay and misogynistic music currently enjoying mainstream recognition.”
Pink News reported that Herndon Graddick, senior director of programs at GLAAD, said, “Rather than providing simply a larger platform, MTV and other networks should educate viewers about why anti-gay and misogynistic language has no place in the music industry today. Given Tyler’s history of such remarks, viewers and potential sponsors should refrain from honoring homophobia and in the future look to a more deserving artist.”
