REICHEN LEHMKUHL at Power Premiere Awards honoring the 10 Amazing Gay Women in Hollywood held at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Beverly Hills, California - 12.11.06

The former model has written a new book about his nightmare experiences as a homosexual in the military, and he believes the Washington controversy will further help people understand what gay men have to put up with.

Lehmkuhl says, "It (Washington's controversy) dumps a lot of emotion on me. I think it brings the issue to light. A lot of people learn, when you use this word now, it's not OK."

Washington has officially apologised for his use of the 'f' word at the Golden Globe Awards last week (15JAN07), admitting, in a statement released last week (18JAN07), he needs help.

The controversy first came to light last October (06) when Washington referred to gay GREY'S ANATOMY castmate TR KNIGHT as a "faggot" in a heated on-set row with co-star PATRICK DEMPSEY.

Source: WENN