Why would gay ally Jonah Hill let fly with a slur?

LOS ANGELES - Jonah Hill is winning points for what appears to be a sincere apology for hurling a gay slur at a paparazzo he says was harassing him.

But the insult the actor hurled last week still raises the question: Why would someone like Hill, for years a vocal supporter of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, use such a word? Even in a moment of anger?

He's not the first, nor likely the last, prominent person to use the word "faggot" in the heat of the moment.

Experts say comments like Hill's aren't necessarily used by people who are against gays. They say it often doesn't seem to matter if they think the person is gay or not.