It seems that Hollywood can’t get past the fact that there are gay actors in the industry.

Being that comedian Ellen DeGeneres has been the first person to have a gay character in a leading role in a sitcom, the fact of the matter is that gay actors can’t get rid of the label.

It’s true because when DeGeneres came out in 1997, more than 36 million viewers watched her announce it on national television, it was praise for gay people like DeGeneres and then, criticism began to spill out.

Now, in light of “Grey’s Anatomy” star Isaiah Washington’s anti-gay slur against co-star T.R. Knight last October, it just goes to show that no matter who you are, that label of being “gay” will not go away.

Washington can do rehabilitation and meet with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation organization but the fact of the matter is, he is homophobic.

If not, then why did he open up his mouth for?

Sure, celebrities have followed DeGeneres’ coming out of the closet, with the likes of Rosie O’Donnell.

Recently, former NBA center John Amaechi, who spent five seasons with four teams, became the first NBA player to publicly come out last Wednesday.

Martina Navratilova, perhaps the most famous openly gay athlete in the world, praised Amaechi’s decision and said it’s imperative for athletes to come out because of what she called an epidemic of suicides among young lesbians and gays.

“It’s hugely important for the kids so they don’t feel alone in the world. We’re role models,” she said. “He will definitely help a lot of kids growing up to feel better about themselves.”

However, I ask what are people so afraid of when it comes to knowing someone who is gay? I seriously want to know because I myself have tried to understand what the problem is when it comes to people who are gay.

Trust me, the fact that celebrities, as well as athletes, are more accepting of people who are gay does mean that there are people who are more non-judgmental. I just think that someone needs to pound that into Washington’s head so he won’t make that stupid mistake again.

If he doesn’t, I wonder how he would react if someone was to refer to him as the “N” word.

I sure hope now that he has realized his mistake and that he won’t do it again, but I suspect he would no matter what show made him famous in the first place.

So, the next time Washington decides to call someone the “F” word he should know that someone else can use another word as a weapon too.