Michelle Shocked has attempted to clear up apparently anti-gay comments made during a recent gig in San Francisco as the audio from the show appeared online.
In a statement posted on BuzzFeed, Shocked claims she was speaking from a position where some Christians are intolerant towards homosexuality. Shocked, who identifies herself as a born-again Christian, writes in the statement that she does not nor has ever believed God hates homosexuals.
When apparently requesting the audience to “Twitter that Michelle Shocked says ‘God hates faggots'”, Shocked says she was merely pre-empting that her comments would be taken out of context.
In the audio of the San Fran concert (embedded below), you can hear that Shocked was correct in her assumption, as one fan immediately berates the singer for her homophobic comments. Following the outraged audience member’s comments, the venue pulls the plug on the gig as the audience stages a walkout.
Listen to the audio, read the statement from Shocked and decide for yourself whether or not the longstanding activist was being speaking on behalf of herself.
Listen: Michelle Shocked – Yoshi’s, San Francisco
Read: Michelle Shocked Statement On “Anti-Gay” Comments
“I do not, nor have I ever, said or believed that God hates homosexuals (or anyone else). I said that some of His followers believe that. I believe intolerance comes from fear, and these folks are genuinely scared. When I said “Twitter that Michelle Shocked says “God hates faggots,” I was predicting the absurd way my description of, my apology for, the intolerant would no doubt be misinterpreted. The show was all music, and the audience tweets said they enjoyed it. The commentary came about ten minutes later, in the encore.
And to those fans who are disappointed by what they’ve heard or think I said, I’m very sorry: I don’t always express myself as clearly as I should. But don’t believe everything you read on facebook or twitter. My view of homosexualty has changed not one iota. I judge not. And my statement equating repeal of Prop 8 with the coming of the End Times was neither literal nor ironic: it was a description of how some folks – not me – feel about gay marriage.
The show, and the rant, was spontaneous. As for those applauding my so-called stance that “God Hates Faggots,” I say they should be met with mercy, not hate. And I hope that what remains of my audience will meet that intolerance with understanding, even of those who might hate them.
Folks wonder about my sexuality, but denying being gay is like saying I never beat my husband. My sexuality is not at issue. What is being questioned is my support for the LGBT community, and that has never wavered. Music and activism have always been part of my work and my journey, which I hope and intend to continue. I’d like to say this was a publicity stunt, but I’m really not that clever, and I’m definitely not that cynical.
But I am damn sorry. If I could repeat the evening, I would make a clearer distinction between a set of beliefs I abhor, and my human sympathy for the folks who hold them. I say this not because I want to look better. I have no wish to hide my faults, and – clearly – I couldn’t if I tried.
With love,
Michelle”
