bratner051809_21_news.jpgAfter sparking public outrage for using a gay slur in a recent interview, Brett Ratner has resigned as producer of the 2012 Academy Awards.

“This morning, Brett Ratner submitted his resignation as a producer of the 84th annual Academy Awards to Academy President Tom Sherak,” the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said in a statement. “Ratner then issued an open letter to the entertainment industry in which he explained his decision.”

During a Q&A session for his new film, Tower Heist, a reporter asked Ratner about his rehearsal process, to which he responded, “Rehearsal is for f***.” Ratner has released an open letter to the entertainment industry explaining why he has resigned from his position, stating, “It was a dumb way of expressing myself. Everyone who knows me knows that I don’t have a prejudiced bone in my body.”

Ratner also met with GLAAD today, and Herndon Graddick, Senior Director of Programs and Communications released a statement about Ratner's decision. “When we sat down with Brett today, he seemed very sincere in his desire to use this experience as a way to begin speaking out against anti-gay language in popular culture,” Graddick said. “We believe his resignation is just the first step and will be announcing a series of concrete actions with Brett in coming days and weeks.”

Click after the jump to read Ratner's complete apology letter.