Oscars host Kevin Hart called gay people ‘fags’ and mocked lesbians

Comedian Kevin Hart is facing widespread backlash after historic homophobic tweets—calling gay people “fags” and mocking lesbians—were unearthed following an announcement that he will host the 2019 Oscars.

Hart announced on Instagram that he would host the awards ceremony in February, describing the job as the “opportunity of a lifetime for me as a comedian.”

“I just saw a lesbian walk out of the mens bathroom! Wtf was she doing? R they pissing in urinals now?”

—Kevin Hart

But social media users were quick to circulate a series of homophobic tweets posted by Hart between 2009 and 2012.

Kevin Hart posts series of homophobic tweets

“I just saw a lesbian walk out of the mens bathroom! Wtf was she doing? R they pissing in urinals now?,” he wrote in one August 2009 tweet.

One September 2009 post read: “How can u tell if ur pittbull is gay? My dog just farted and it sounded like he whistled!!!!!”

In another, he vented: “I just saw the biggest gay guy ever! This nigga looked like hulf hogan with heels on! I can’t lie I got scared!!!!!!”

And, in one August 2009 comment, he wrote: “lmao, that’s why u sweat 4 know reason u fat faced fag.”

Kevin Hart repeatedly uses “gay” as an insult

Hart appeared to respond to the social media criticism, writing on Twitter on Thursday (December 6): “I was asked the most amazing question from my kids today on the phone….they said ‘Dad why don’t you get mad when people talk about you on the internet’ …my answer was ‘I never see that stuff because I’m to busy being happy & loving you 2.'”

“How can u tell if ur pittbull is gay? My dog just farted and it sounded like he whistled!!!!!”

—Kevin Hart

He did not apologise for his past homophobic comments.

Hart has previously come under fire for anti-gay comments he made during his 2010 Seriously tour.

“One of my biggest fears is my son growing up and being gay. That’s a fear,” he said at the time.