'Grey's Anatomy' welcomes Isaiah Washington back after famously firing him for homophobic rant in 2007, GLAAD responds

In 2007, Grey's Anatomy star Isaiah Washington was fired from the popular ABC medical drama after getting in a fight with co-star T.R. Knight. Washington reportedly said some anti-gay, homophobic remarks at Knight, who was at the time a closeted gay man, thus leading to his termination. After seven years off of the show, Washington's character Dr. Preston Burke is set to return to the popular series, currently in its tenth season, in May of 2014.

The Hollywood Reporter broke this story, reporting:

His return to the series comes as Grey's is preparing to say farewell to one of its original and most beloved stars, Sandra Oh, whose Cristina was at one point engaged to marry Washington's character. Oh will exit Grey'sfollowing the end of its current 10th season in May.

"It's important to me that Cristina's journey unfolds exactly as it should," showrunner Shonda Rhimes said in a statement. "Burke is vital to that journey -- he gives her story that full-circle moment we need to properly say goodbye to our beloved Cristina Yang."

Washington has apologized for the reason he was fired from the series, so when this rehiring news broke, GLAAD responded encouragingly.

"His PSA and his statements promoting marriage equality in recent years have sent a strong message of support for LGBT people," GLAAD said in a statement. "We look forward to seeing him return to one of our favorite shows, as well as in Patrik-Ian Polk's moving film Blackbird about a young man coming out in a small Southern town."