Paquita announces show at gay disco to apologize for adoption comments

Paquita la del Barrio now says she's sorry. The Mexican singer who inflamed a controversy over her comments on gay adoption in Mexico City announced that she would hold a press conference and concert next week to offer apologies for saying she'd rather see a child die on the streets than be adopted by a same-sex couple.

The singer's apology event, set for Tuesday afternoon, will take place at Spartacus, a huge gay disco in Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl, the sprawling Mexico City suburb sometimes referred to as "Neza York." The singer is a longtime friend of the club's owner.

In one interview since the controversy erupted, Paquita said her comments were rooted in her "poor education" and small-town upbringing. (She isn't called Paquita la del Barrio -- or, "Paquita from the 'Hood" -- for nothing.) In another short interview, she told reporters that "the majority" of her friends are gay. "I don't have anything against anyone," Paquita said.

Jorge Cruz Garsias, the owner of Spartacus, told La Plaza he has been friends with Paquita for more than 20 years. The singer used to hang out on weekend nights at Spartacus before she became internationally famous, he said.

"I've never felt any kind of rejection from her, I don't know what happened this time," Cruz said. "I am not in agreement with what she said, but she is my friend, so let her make her retraction, and ask for forgiveness."

As outrageous as her comments might have been for many fans, Paquita's disapproval of gay couples adopting children is not that far out of the mainstream in Mexico. A recent poll by the firm Buendia & Laredo found that 71% of respondents were opposed to Mexico City's new law that allows adoption by same-sex couples. Only 10% were in favor.

-- Daniel Hernandez in Mexico City

Photo: Singer Paquita la del Barrio. Credit: El Sol de Mexico

Comments

[Tom/LAReader]

Well, I moderate my comment.
I would not want to see a child die in the street rather than be adopted by a gay couple.
Otherwise my comments stand.

She has nothing to apologize for.
Gay adoption is far more radical than gay marriage.
It is not something between consenting adults.
It is a radical new social experiment on helpless children.
The burden is on gay advocates to prove it is safe.

[Tom/LAReader]

She has nothing to apologize for.
Gay adoption is far more radical than gay marriage.
It is not something between consenting adults.
It is a radical new social experiment on helpless children.
The burden is on gay advocates to prove it is safe.

[eva]

sorry NOT FORGIVEN

[Jim Q. Citizen]

You don't have to be poor, dumb, or uneducated to say what Paquita said. You just have to be mean.

[Linda 2]

dont believe its anything more than for good publicity. what she said was absolutely horrible and she should pay the consequences of the scandal.

[juanita]

I don't understand why people getting so bent out of shape over her comment. Everyone has the right to give their opinion. Just because it's not what the gay community wants to hear she's a bad person. GET OVER IT!!!!!!!

[Linda]

You just can't unring that bell.

[Jesus Chairez]

Thanks for the update but still I am not so sure of her being sorry. I mean I grew up around racist people, but don't myself feel that way. AND never would have spoken such trash.