T.R. Knight: "I've Learned So Much"

(CBS)  You would think what Isaiah Washington said to T.R. Knight would have hurt him.

But instead, the homophobic slur his "Grey's Anatomy" co-star made motivated Knight to tell his fans the truth last October -- and everything has been great ever since, he said Thursday as a guest on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

"I feel I've learned so much this past year, so I'm grateful for that," he told DeGeneres, according to a story from People.com. "So yeah, that changes you."

Although Knight, who plays Dr. George O'Malley on the critically-acclaimed ABC drama series, was courageous enough to come out of the closet, he admitted that it's not an easy thing to do, particularly for others in the public eye.

"Everyone has their own path," he said, according to the story. "You just have to respect that ... I don't think its right to force that. It's impossible to know. There's just a lot of soul searching you have to do."

Coming out also hasn't salted his game in love, he added.

"Recently Kate (co-star Katherine Heigl) and her fiance Josh Kelley and me and her mom went out to dinner," he told DeGeneres. "It was reported that it was me and my new boyfriend. But that was her mom.

"So I guess I'm dating Katherine's mom right now," he joked.

Knight stated that he is very happy with his life right now, primarily for two reasons. First, he was recently nominated for an Emmy as best supporting actor. Second, he has a new dog, which was given to him as a birthday present by Heigl, the story said.

"I had been talking about (getting a dog) for a while," Knight said. "I guess there's a point -- too much talk and not enough action -- so she made the decision. It was great. She showed up at my house with it."

[mitch0927]

"LOOK EVERYONE" im G@Y BUT DON''T MAE FUN OF ME OR CALL ME NAMES, BECAUSE I HAVE THE WHOLE COUNTRY ON MY SIDE. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY WE F@GGOTS CAN STOP THE OVER POPULATION OF THE WORLD.

[ugetaclue]

I don''t know what century some of you are still living in, but I would think that you would be past the homophobic era. He never wanted to put it out there, someone else made that choice for him. Heigle is a good friend, and she must not be that dumb, I bet you don''t have any awards. One more thing, if you have other things to worry about, then why the hell are you posting on here.

[killer139]

What a F_a_g!

Ah a F_a_g and his hag how sweet.

Who cares if your gay hey I''m straight you don''t see me shouting it from the roof tops..get over yourselves homos.I have gay friends who cares move on.

[jetlizhan]

i like this guy - good for him, glad he''s happy. whatever floats your boat!

[draftreid]

Hear Ye, Hear Ye -

Here''s your invitation to the forthcoming nuptials between Tami Renee Knight and Ronald "Rosie" O'' Donnell.

The flower girl will be the not always delightful clueless bimbo Katie Heigl.

Unfortunately the BEST Man will NOT be Isaiah Washington.

[amazed50]

I don''t understand why the word "***" was omitted from my last posting ????

[amazed50]

I don''t understand the haters. There will always be gay people in our society. So what? It''s not the *** you should worry about. It''s the drug using, drunk driving, law breaking, out of control celebrities, who our children are modeling themselves after. This young gay man is no threat to you. Wake Up!!!

[ttenchantr]

If TR''s looking for someone to throw him down and take his stuff, just let me know!

[misssuzq]

Draftreid ...

I agree with you about always coming out and making a big deal of it.

Just "be" and carry on with your life.

You will be better respected and accepted.

I get annoyed when *** start preaching or talk to people like they are trying to draft them or sell something.

"Come on over to our side, you''ll like it better!"

Relax. It is pretty clear by your actions that you are gay, you do not need to be any more flagrant than that.

Allow the straight people to actually like you by not always shoving it in our faces.

You know I am straight and not by anything other than my actions.

[draftreid]

Why do G-ays need this full-blown thing about being accepted? They are - except by the most rabid homophobic...

TR''s - what a name, TR, certainly NOT Teddy R. - behavior towards Isaiah was despicable. Oh yeah, he just HAD to come out right then and there. Who is even worse is Heigl''s - she proved herself to be just another blonde bimbo NOT an actress worthy of comment or stature. But in a world of Britney, Paris, Lindsey, Kathy''s just another pretty face - no depth.

I don''t watch this tripe, and I really don''t care to either. The only reason why I comment is that this is just another Hollyweirdo mature story at a time Americans should be concerned about terrorism - not about a little boy or his dumb blonde friend. We have greater issues and concerns to face than two idiots and a dumb show.