Warning: This article contains discussion of discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community which some readers may find distressing.
Shia LaBeouf has come out with a bizarre and offensive excuse for the actions which saw him arrested twice last week at Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
The Transformers star was arrested and charged with charged with one misdemeanour count of simple battery on Saturday 28 February, before returning to the celebrations after being bailed, where he was arrested again after being accused of hitting two people in a brawl.
LaBeouf insisted following his first arrest that he didn't have a drinking problem, and he's now suggested that it was his own issues with 'big gay people' that led to his altercation at the end of last month.
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In an interview with YouTuber Andrew Callaghan released on Saturday, the 39-year-old actor said: “When I’m standing by myself and three gays are next to me touching my leg, I get scared. I’m sorry. If that’s homophobic, then I’m that. Yeah.
“I’ll be honest with you, big gay people are scary to me."
The American actor, who is also known for his roles in Holes and Even Stevens, was forced to pay $100,000 for his release and was also given a further three orders from District Judge Simone Levine, which include attending a rehabilitation facility, agreeing to regular testing and also staying away from his alleged victims and the bar where the incident occurred.
LaBeouf added: “I’m good with gay — be gay over there, though. Don’t be gay in my lap.”
“That’s why. I was drunk and it’s Mardi Gras. So everything I’m saying is nonsense."
The judge also raised concern about LeBeouf being a danger to the ‘marginalised New Orleans community’, with one of his reported victims speaking out in court about the harm that was caused.
They suggested that they hope he ‘takes some actions that are supportive of the LGBTQ community that he has harmed so severely'.
Another witness said: “He kept trying to get up and fight people… He wouldn’t stop screaming slurs.
“That’s why I say this wasn’t just a bar fight. This was about hate.
“Anytime somebody insists on calling me a ‘f*ggot’ and threatening to hurt me because of it — that’s not something you ever get used to.
“I’ve worked in bars for years. I’ve seen fights. But when someone is screaming that word over and over while trying to attack people, that’s different.”
However, this wasn't LaBeouf's first run in with the law, nor was it his first instance of bigoted remarks, as when he was arrested for public drunkenness in 2017, he reportedly racially abused the police officer.
In that case, the filmmaker apologised, citing his addiction as a struggle, which later led to the public drunkenness allegations being dropped.
LADbible has previously contacted Shia LaBeouf's representatives for comment.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the LGBT Foundation on 0345 3 30 30 30, 10am–6pm Monday to Friday, or email [email protected]
Topics: Celebrity News
James Moorhouse