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The Reds blasted Brennaman's actions as \"horrific\" and suspended him indefinitely, effective immediately.

\"We share our sincerest apologies to the LGBTQ+ community in Cincinnati, Kansas City, all across this country, and beyond,\" the team's statement said.

pic.twitter.com/cdmmqsGjlg

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) August 20, 2020

Alphonso David, president of the Human Rights Campaign, called the incident \"unfortunate\" in an interview with \"Good Morning America\" on Thursday.

\"This unfortunate incident is just a reflection of the bias that we still have in our communities and we have to root it out,\" David said. \"Although he made an apology, I think we need to really think about how this is how he felt so comfortable in the first place.\"

\"PHOTO:
Joe Robbins/Getty Images
PHOTO: Cincinnati Reds television broadcaster Thom Brennaman looks on prior to a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, June 16, 2017, in Cincinnati.
>

GLAAD issued a similar rebuke.

\"It's troubling how casually and recklessly Brennaman used the slur -- while wearing a microphone, during a live broadcast -- like he didn't know or care how hurtful it was to say it,\" the organization said in a statement.

The LGBTQ media advocacy organization said Brennaman \"whiffed with his 'I'm sorry if I offended' apology,\" a move it said highlights the broadcaster's \"bigoted beliefs.\"

\"It's a weak way of not owning up to your mistakes and bigoted beliefs. LGBTQ people, who are among Reds fans and Royals fans, deserve far better,\" GLAAD said. The organization, which dubs itself as \"the voice for acceptance,\" said it reached out to Major League Baseball, the Reds and Fox Sports to demand accountability for \"this unacceptable and thoughtless behavior.\"

Major League Baseball officials called the incident \"disheartening\" in a statement, and Fox Sports said later on Thursday it wouldn't have Brennaman call NFL games this fall.

Billy Bean, a vice president and special assistant to the commissioner, issued a statement on behalf of MLB. Bean was among the first MLB players to come out as gay, giving an interview on the subject in 1999, four years after he retired.

\"The Reds' immediate response and statement are a powerful example of MLB's zero-tolerance policy for harassment, discrimination, or bias toward the LGBTQ+ community or any person at any time,\" Bean said in a statement Thursday. \"There is no doubt where MLB stands in regard to respect and acceptance for our players, coaches, employees, fans, and our television viewers. Our unified belief in education and workplace protection has helped change the landscape for all of professional sports. Last night is a difficult reminder that there is still much work to do.\"

ABC News' Robert Zepeda and Jim Vojtech contributed to this report.

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