Posted on 03/19/2013 12:43:35 PM PDT by a fool in paradise
At least 10 venues have canceled previously scheduled Michelle Shocked concerts following homophobic speech made by the former alt-folk icon at a San Francisco show on Sunday night. During her second set at Yoshi's, she took the time to comment on California's controversial Proposition 8, which invalidated the momentary legality of gay marriage in the state, and which is currently under review by the Supreme Court.
"When they stop Prop 8 and force priests at gunpoint to marry gays, it will be the downfall of civilization, and Jesus will come back," she said according to USA Today and others. She was referring to the Rapture, the time when many Christians believe Christ will return to separate the faithful from the rest, signifying nothing less than the end of the world. "You can go to Twitter and say, 'Michelle Shocked said God hates fags.'"
The latter statement has been quoted a few different ways, but the meaning never changes. Various reports say that the crowd began to leave as her tirade began. According to the Guardian, the club's manager attempted to end the concert but she held court until staff pulled the plug on her and turned on the lights. Although Shocked was once known for left-leaning politics, she has identified herself as "born again" for some time.
The uproar that followed her latest remarks has resulted in rude Twitter bullying (calls for her to kill herself) but also some productive criticism with real-world consequence. A Change.org petition calling for venues to cancel Shocked's forthcoming shows has received over 2,000 signatures thus far, and venues in California, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, and Colorado have taken heed, many issuing statements denouncing her words.
"Freedom of speech and artistic expression are critically important, but this isn't free speech," wrote the petition's author, LBGT activist John Becker. "This is hate speech. And in a world where LGBT people are bullied from the pulpit, on the playground, and at the polls, anti-gay hate speech can have serious consequences including legitimizing bullying and hate crimes, and increasing victims' risk of anxiety, depression, and suicide."
Shocked has yet to respond to SPIN's request for comment, and the contact information on her website is at least partially outdated (Conqueroo publicist Cary Baker hasn't worked with her in four years, he says). She hasn't issued any follow-up remarks via Twitter either, though has been retweeting a hot streak of comments from others — some related to this incident, others having to do with faith, and others still unrelated.
While Shocked has issued anti-gay comments before — "Who drafted me as a gay icon?" she reportedly told a crowd at the Christian Wild Goose Festival in 2011, "You are looking at the world’s greatest homophobe. Ask God what He thinks." — she has presented a conflicted profile on homosexuality over the years. In a 1990 issue of Chicago's OutLines, she spoke openly about having had a "woman lover."
"I resent like hell that I was maybe 18 years old before I even heard the 'L' word," she said. "I mean, that's understood, growing up sheltered in a Mormon environment. But it would have made all the difference for me had I grown up knowing that the reason I didn't fit in, was because they hadn't told me there were more categories to fit into ... I've never really been able to fit into square holes or round holes."
After rediscovering religion, Shocked seemed to equivocate: "There are some inconvenient truths that I'm now a born again, sanctified, saved-in-the-blood Christian. So much of what's said and done in the name of that Christianity is appalling. According to my Bible, which I didn't write, homosexuality is immoral. But homosexuality is no more or less a sin than fornication. And I'm a fornicator with a capital F."
Sadly, it seems she's replaced conversation and empathy with hate and intolerance.
We’re facing very real oppression for our viewpoints. But don’t worry the GOP will stand up for our freedoms. /s
So sad.
Did she ever drop those excess pounds?
I would use this as a teachable moment for the left about why shut-up-and-sing was such a good idea.
"Freedom of speech and artistic expression are critically important, but this isn't free speech," wrote the petition's author, LBGT activist John Becker. "This is hate speech."
Of course, if this homo were to lisp, "I hate Christians", it would be free speech, not hate speech. Right, twinkie?
No one is taking away her livelihood.
They are only protecting their own livelihood.
I don’t know if this point has been made or not - but to come out and say “I’m against gay marriage” that’s one thing.
To say “God hates fags” - is quite another.
I almost wonder if she was drunk, drugged, altered mental state or whatever.
I don’t think God communicated this thought to her - she may think that He did - but I somehow doubt it.
Homophobia means having a different position or view on this sexual act. Does this mean liberals are heterophobic? Are they afraid of heterosexuals? What if heterosexuals marched in the streets, waving their hands, remaining fully cothed, and hugging and loving on the spectators as they marched? Who Homosexuals be outraged and call for them to be punished? And the issue is not about equal rights, but special rights that gays should be given preferential treatment over heterosexuals for housing, jobs, etc. Are they special over heterosexuals? Should they have more rights?
"Gambling going on here? I am Shocked!"
When they use the term “breeders” to describe heterosexuals, I don’t think they are being complimentary.
Freedom of speech has consequences as people offer their rebuttals, or boycotts, or venues cancelling events/
stations refusing to play music. See: Dixie Chicks.
If her rant had been anti-GOP, anti-fiscal conservative etc.
she would have been applauded for Speaking Truth To
Power.
She said “you can go on twitter and SAY I said...”. Twitter twits can only use a few words and the Left distorts phrasing and twists meaning regularly.
She figured their actions would be a foregone conclusion.
I don’t quite see a big distinction there. You could say “God hates fags” or you could say “Go on twitter and say that I said God hates fags” - I don’t see much to choose between the two. I still say she must have some chemical issues of one sort or another - who would say that unless they really wanted to self destruct?
Yeah. That’s channeling that freak Fred Phelps. As Christians, we’re taught to hate the sin, but love the sinner.
Homophobia means having a different position or view on this sexual act. Does this mean liberals are heterophobic? Are they afraid of heterosexuals? What if heterosexuals marched in the streets, waving their hands, remaining fully cothed, and hugging and loving on the spectators as they marched? Who Homosexuals be outraged and call for them to be punished? And the issue is not about equal rights, but special rights that gays should be given preferential treatment over heterosexuals for housing, jobs, etc. Are they special over heterosexuals? Should they have more rights?
When Rush says “They’ll call me a racist, bigoted, homophobe” he isn’t agreeing with their assertion.
“Thou shalt not think thoughts other than ours”
Yes. Agree 100%.
The only fans she had were lesbian.
Her career is done.
Yep, yep and yep. I don't see a bunch of Freepers running out to buy her CDs.
I agree it is wrong to echo Phelp’s phrase. I suspect whether the Phelps (Fred was a Democrat politician who ran for office several times and was a friend of Al Gore) family even believes their BS. They run the cult and are legally active. They litigate against those who try to stop them.
Everyone uses the Phelps family to vilify Christians. Why aren’t Democrats and lawyers similarly tainted? If the goal is to smear Christians (and Boosh and the war and gun rights and...), then as Democrat activists, they are just playing their shuck and jive game as needed for street theater (and lucrative finances).
While I may not hate homosexuals merely for being homosexuals, I think Fred Phelps is a vile piece of work. Hard to separate the sin from the sinner in that case.
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