Millionaire Matchmaker's Patti Stanger made some offensive comments about gay men during her appearance on Andy Cohen's Bravo talk show, Watch What Happens Live. Following a great deal of online coverage and outcry, and outreach from GLAAD, both she and the network have released statements apologizing for those comments.
Says Patti: “I am so sorry. I did not mean to offend anyone with my comments last night on Watch What Happens Live.”
Stanger has reiterated her apology on her Twitter feed as well.
In addition, a Bravo spokesperson provided the following: “Bravo regrets the comments expressed by Patti Stanger on Watch What Happens Live last night. Her comments are not representative of the network’s beliefs and opinions. We apologize for the offense it caused.”
During Stanger's appearance, viewers were encouraged to call in and receive dating advice from the professional matchmaker. One caller asked about being monogamous in a long distance relationship, to which Stanger replied:
"In the gay world, it will always be open. Are you straight or gay?"
Caller: "Gay."
Stanger: "Ok, well then you're ok...."
Host Andy Cohen: "So the gays can have open relationships but..."
Stanger: "There is no curbing the gays...I have tried to curb you people."
A little later, Stanger received a question from a man over video chat, who appeared onscreen. Before answering his question, Stanger remarked:
"First of all, you're very handsome. I thought you were straight, so that's a compliment."
Asked Cohen a few moments later: "I don't know why being straight is a compliment. Why is being straight a compliment?"
Stanger: "Because he's not queeny. [to Andy] Like you want a queen. I don't think so."
Not surprisingly, these comments left openly gay host Cohen visibly flustered, and certainly didn't sit well with viewers either. Following an outpouring of angry responses, both Stanger and Bravo decided to apologize publicly.
Stanger will also appear on The Joy Behar Show on HLN tomorrow night (apparently switiched from tonight) to further address her statements. The segment has already been filmed, but we hope Stanger was able to refute the offensive stereotypes and values she reinforced the other night.
