but I think we have learned that the damage done to young people who are LGBT is incalculable, especially when the damage is caused by a personality so popular and charismatic as someone like Kevin Hart. I think it would be helpful to his cause if he were to engage in some meaningful way to demonstrate that he understands the harm his "humor" has caused--make himself available for fundraisers, for example, or volunteer to work with GLAAD, actions which would tell the world that he truly regrets what he said and wants to try to make some kind of amends for it. His words may have led to suicide, and certainly encouraged bullying and other mistreatment of gay and lesbian people.

As for Ellen, I think the issue borders on white privilege. She is gay, and she certainly made sacrifices in her career when she came out, but the idea that she felt she could call the Oscars committee and tell them that it would be OK for Kevin Hart to host their award ceremony is kind of jaw-dropping. Who is she, to speak for an entire community? Prejudice against gay youngsters is particularly strong in some black families, families whose feelings about their gay kids are more likely to be bolstered by the opinions of a Kevin Hart than by an Ellen DeGeneres. If it's not because she's a white woman that she feels her imprimatur on Hart makes him kosher, then what is it?

She's done more in terms of community outreach, educational and charity work than almost anyone on the planet, not just for the LGBTQ community but for a myriad of political and socially repressed groups of people. I'm not saying she has a right to speak for all gay people, but I do believe she's earned a huge amount of respect and deserves the benefit of the doubt tenfold.

he lays it out here and I find it compelling: https://www.cnn.com/videos/entertainment/2019/01/05/dons-take-kevin-hart-oscars-host-lemon-vpx.cnn
Ellen is an important celebrity member of the LGBTQ community, but she doesn't seem to be taking the seriousness of growing up gay and black as Mr. Lemon describes. I also agree with him that Mr. Hart saying a few years ago that he wouldn't tell jokes about beating the gay out of his son because the times weren't as sensitive isn't an apology. As far as I can see Hart is telling us he is the victim here and Ellen just gave him cover.