Michelle Shocked Issues Two Statements Explaining Her Rant - Noise11.com
Michelle Shocked, Noise11, photo

Michelle Shocked

Michelle Shocked Issues Two Statements Explaining Her Rant

by Roger Wink, VVN Music on March 21, 2013

in News

Michelle Shocked has released not one, but two separate statements through her publicist trying to explain her actions at Yoshi’s in San Francisco on Sunday night.

Michelle Shocked, Noise11, photo

Michelle Shocked

During the show, she went into a tirade criticizing the gay lifestyle and gay marriage including the statements that the audience could “go on Twitter and say ‘Michelle Shocked hates fags'” and that “I live in fear that the world will be destroyed if gays are allowed to marry.”

Late Tuesday, Shocked’s publicist issued the following statement from the singer:

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 homosexuality 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

Shortly after, a second statement was issued with further comments on her beliefs:

I believe in a God who loves everyone, and my faith tells me to do my best to also love everyone. Everyone: gay or straight, stridently gay, self-righteously faithful; left or right, far left, far right; good, bad, or indifferent. That’s the law: everyone.

I may disagree with someone’s most fervently held belief, but I will not hate them. And in this controversy, that means speaking for Christians with opinions I in no way share about homosexuality. Will I endorse them? Never. Will I disavow them? Never.

I stand accused of forsaking the LGBT community for a Christianity which is – hear me now – anathema to my understanding of faith. I will no doubt take future flack for saying so. I’m accused of believing that “God hates fags” and that the repeal of Prop 8 will usher in the End Times. Well, if I caused such an absurdity, I am damn sorry. To be clear: I am not now, nor have I ever been, a member of any so-called faith preaching intolerance of anyone. Again, anyone: straight or gay, believers or not: that’s the law.

That means upholding my punk rock values in the most evangelical enclaves and, in this case, speaking up for the most fearful of fundamentalists in, well, a San Francisco music hall full of Michelle Shocked fans.

As an artist in this time of unbearable culture wars, I understand: this means trouble, and this is neither the first nor last time trouble has come my way. And that’s fine by me.

I know the fear many in the evangelical community feel about homosexual marriage, as I understand the fear many in the gay community feel toward the self-appointed faithful. I have and will continue speaking to both. Everything else – facebook, twitter, whatever – is commentary.

Whether these statements will quell the criticism that has erupted since Sunday is unclear. Shocked’s current tour is history with 10 of 11 upcoming dates being cancelled by the individual clubs and the twelfth cancelled by Shocked herself.

Read more from VVN Music

Related Posts

Duke Gadd and Steve Gadd photo by Duke Favebook page
Corey Feldman’s Drummer Duke Gadd Dies From Overdose

Duke Gadd, the drummer for Corey Feldman and the son of drumming legend Steve Gadd, has died from a fentanyl overdose.

6 hours ago
Spandau Ballet perform at Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday 19 May 2015; photo Ros O'Gorman
Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp Was Inspired To Make Solo Album After Touring with Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason

Spandau Ballet’s co-founder and principal songwriter Gary Kemp says that the last three years touring the world with Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason in Saucerful of Secrets was the catalyst for his third solo album ‘This Destination’.

2 days ago
INXS Listen Like Thieves 40th anniversary
INXS 40th Anniversary Edition of ‘Listen Like Thieves’ To Be Released

INXS will release a mega 3CD edition of the iconic fifth album ‘Listen Like Thieves’ to mark the album’s 40th anniversary.

2 days ago
Vince Neil, Motley Crue, Photo by Ros O'Gorman
Plane Owned By Vince Neil Of Motley Crue Crashes In Arizona

A plane owned by Motley Crue singer Vince Neil has crashed in Scottsdale, Arizona killing the pilot. Neil was not on board the plane.

4 days ago
Morrissey. images by Ros O'Gorman
Morrissey Reactivates For UK Dates

Morrissey has announced his only UK and Ireland tour dates of 2025.

4 days ago
Bryan Adams at Rod Laver Arena 6 Feb 2024 photo by Richard Nicholson supplied by Frontier Touring
Bryan Adams Treats Adelaide To The World Premiere of ‘Roll With The Punches’, Perth Cancelled Last Minute

Bryan Adams premiered a brand-new song ‘Roll With The Punches’ for the first time for Adelaide on Friday night but for Perth it was a different story on Sunday. The show was cancelled at the last minute.

5 days ago
Bryan Adams at Rod Laver Arena 6 Feb 2024 photo by Richard Nicholson supplied by Frontier Touring
Bryan Adams Is So Happy It Hurts In Melbourne #REVIEW

A Bryan Adams show is a party for 14000. The first night of the Australian So Happy It Hurts tour was held at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. Adams had the fans at song one.

February 7, 2025