The golden age of any press is good press as long as they spell the name right doesn’t apply in the case of singer Michelle Shocked. The performer is reeling from the deluge of reports claiming the songstress went on a homophobic rant during her March 17 performance at Yoshi’s night club in San Francisco.
Shocked was a welcoming figure during her second set keeping the audience engaged for several minutes until implementing her own brand of political theater in the form of “truth versus reality” on the unsuspecting crowd. Confused, shocked and upset by what they heard, audience members left as Yoshi’s cut Shocked’s mic ending her performance. Audio of the performance can be found here.
The bad night resulted in an immediate cancelation of most North American dates.
Shocked’s response to the controversy and attempts to clear her name have been inconsistent and deemed peculiar.
An open letter was sent to the Texas Observer through a friend of Shocked’s. The letter is reprinted below:
“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
FOLLOW-UP STATEMENT:
"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.”
Shocked’s first post-Yoshi’s interview with radio host Nicole Sandler March 21 was ill-fated. The Washington Post reports the singer “quarreled with the talk-radio host and quickly hung up.”
Sandler prefaced her show admitting she’s a Michelle Shocked fan, but remained objective on recent events.
Michelle, who wanted the interview to take place on Twitter, read her prepared apology released to the Observer. When Sandler pressed for more details the line was dropped.
With Shocked back on the line, Sandler continued her line of questioning, “Are you a homophobe or not?” Sandler asked. Shocked signed off with, “I want to talk to you in real time. I’ll see you on Twitter.”
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