

Roland Martin (Stephen Lovekin/GETTY IMAGES)

On Super Bowl Sunday, Roland Martin of CNN issued some homophobic tweets that got him in trouble with gay organizations and this blog. CNN stayed silent on the matter, until just moments ago, when it issued this statement:

“Roland Martin’s tweets were regrettable and offensive. Language that demeans is inconsistent with the values and culture of our organization, and is not tolerated. We have been giving careful consideration to this matter, and Roland will not be appearing on our air for the time being.”

CNN took its time, but it clearly reached a strong decision here. What Martin had tweeted — advocating beatings for men who’d enjoyed the David Beckham underwear ad shown during the Super Bowl plus the same for a New England Patriot clad in a pink suit — was the equivalent of cheerleading for violence against gays.

The Erik Wemple blog will stay on this issue.

More on this story from PostOpinions:

ErikWemple: Will a suspension help Roland Martin?

Erik Wemple: At CNN, is homophobia a ‘viewpoint’?

Erik Wemple: Roland Martin’s new statement is old hogwash

Erik Wemple: CNN’s crisis-management strategy is, No comment