Ryan Murphy, the writer and producer of US comedy drama series 'Glee' on Fox TV, has asked for a boycott of the Newsweek magazine.

The US news weekly published an essay by gay writer Ramin Setoodah that claimed gay actors have trouble with straight roles. In particular, it named Glee's star Jonathan Roff.

In an open letter, the gay television producer said the article is "as misguided as it is shocking and hurtful." He said he was shocked because it has been written by a gay writer himself. Murphy added that the write-up was "blatantly homophobic".

The producer has demanded that Newsweek apologise to the homosexual community. He said he is working with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), a media monitoring body that fights discrimination against the gay community, to boycott the magazine until it tenders an apology.