The next chapter in the story about Tracy Morgan’s homosexual-centric jokes includes Russell Simmons, according to an exclusive from AOL Popeater.

According to the article, Simmons, an equal rights activist as well as a hip-hop mogul, said he was one of the first people Morgan called when the backlash occurred. “He was happy to hear my voice,” he said to Popeater. “He had been crying. He was really devastated. He spilled his guts to me.”

Simmons, who is a supporter of gay rights, felt he had to talk seriously to Morgan about the implications of the jokes, which included a joke saying that if Morgan had a gay son, he’d “stab him”. “The sad truth is that sometimes artists and rappers say what people in their community are thinking,” Simmons said. “I knew that Tracy was a person who wants to make people laugh and that he said what he said because in the communities he plays to there is homophobia. It is prevalent.”

According to Simmons, Morgan will gladly take up the cause to spread the message about teaching against homophobia. He also said that Morgan wants to attend a gay marriage rally.

“I believe everyone deserves the right to be happy and marry who they want to; gay, white, black, male or female,” Morgan told Simmons.

You can read the transcript of Morgan’s conversation with Simmons on Simmons’ site, Global Grind.

Russell Simmons