Late Night Video 2: A “grateful and humbled” Brett Ratner accepts GLAAD Media Award

There were plenty of folks who were not happy when it was announced that movie director Brett Ratner (Tower Heist, Rush Hour) with the Ally Award at the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York.

Some were still feeling the sting from when Ratner was asked after a screening in November 2011 whether he rehearses with his actors before shooting a scene.

He replied inexplicably: ‘Rehearsing is for faggots.’

The backlash was so great that resigned, under pressure, from producing the 2012 Oscars.

But Ratner has turned it around working with GLAAD on a ‘Come Out for Equality’ public service announcement series. It features a diverse group of Hollywood celebrities, athletes, musicians and politicians ‘coming out of the closet’ as supporters of equality.

“I learned a valuable lesson: a word can matter, whether it’s said with malice or as a joke,” Ratner said during his acceptance speech on Saturday. “In my life, I spend a lot of time searching deep into my heart for what my true values and beliefs are, and I know that I have love in my heart for everyone. But it doesn’t count for much if it helps to perpetuate and validate the people out there that are truly bigoted and hateful.”

Below is video of his acceptance speech which is funny and seems heartfelt.