Alec Baldwin uses humor to try and ease backlash during appearance at technology conference

Alec Baldwin was in San Francisco, of all places, earlier today to appear at a major technology conference.

He tried to use humor to ease some of the backlash he has experience since calling a photographer a ‘cocksucking fag’ last week in New York City.

The Associated Press reports that Baldwin kicked things off by asking a member of his entourage to stand up and he said to the audience: “I want you to be my lover, Matt. I love you, Matt. I love you in that way.”

Baldwin then added that he has loved some men more than women during his life but was sure to make clear never in a sexual way.

Of his use of anti-gay slurs he said: “If in any context in the world that we live in today, if any word is remotely offensive to people, then I’m perfectly willing to learn a different word.”

Baldwin has gone on the record denying using the word “fag” despite video evidence and claimed to not know “cocksucker” is an anti-gay slur.

He played a little bit the victim too during the appearance: “There is a drive-by justice to the Internet society. They indict you, convict you and hang you on the same day.”

Poor Alec, so misunderstood.

AP reports that ServiceSource International Inc., a San Francisco technology company that sponsored Baldwin’s appearance, almost canceled the session after TMZ posted the video of the actor’s verbal assault.

ServiceSource CEO Michael Smerklo described deciding whether or not to proceed as one of the toughest decisions of his career because of the perception that Baldwin had insulted the gay community. Smerklo said the company and Baldwin agreed to go ahead because it could spur a dialogue.