Prince denies anti-gay-rights remarks; New Yorker stands by story!

The singer Prince was asked about religion, politics, abortion and Proposition 8 in a profile in the New Yorker.

Here's his response: "You've got the Republicans, and basically they want to live according to [the Bible]. But there's the problem of interpretation, and you've got some churches, some people, basically doing things and saying it comes from here, but it doesn't. And then on the opposite end of the spectrum you've got blue, you've got the Democrats, and they're, like, 'You can do whatever you want.' Gay marriage, whatever. But neither of them is right."

Asked about his perspective on social issues—gay marriage, abortion—Prince tapped his Bible and said, “God came to earth and saw people sticking it wherever and doing it with whatever, and he just cleared it all out. He was, like, ‘Enough.’ ”

Hold on. The miniature singer who used to perform in bikini briefs, leg warmers and platform boots said what?

This is the effeminate musician who played the androgyny card big time with his wild, sexy costumes and provocative lyrics to create album-selling controversy?

The guy whose music was so darn dirty that it inspired Tipper Gore  to slap parental advisory stickers on music deemed not suitable for minors?

He’s now against gays having equal rights?

Wow. Talk about alienating your base.

According to Perez Hilton, the New Yorker piece is dead wrong. He quotes a source close to Prince as saying that the New Yorker piece is "grossly misquoted" and all wrong. Something about the reporter not using a tape recorder? Read Prince's defense here.

But the New Yorker stands by its story.

Prince's anti-gay statement is already reverberating around Los Angeles' gay community. At Train, a popular West Hollywood gym, openly gay spin instructor Tevia Celli told her packed Sunday morning class that she had removed all Prince songs from her playlists.

What do you think? Is Prince, now a converted Jehovah’s Witness, totally off base?  Will you continue to buy and listen to his music? Or do you agree with him?

Photo credit: Peter Kramer / Getty Images

Keep reading to see the provocative lyrics from Prince's song "Controversy." Hmmmm.

I just can’t believe
All the things people say
Controversy
Am I black or white?
Am I straight or gay?
Controversy

People call me rude
I wish we were all nude
I wish there was no black and white
I wish there were no rules

Lyrics from  "Controversy."

Comments

[greg]

No more Prince for me. I'm totally cool with him not approving of gays, but do not expect me to support him either. There is no way to explain oneself out of those comments. So be it. Time to part ways. So sad, so sad... wasn't my choice.

[Purple Nurple]

From now on I will buy every Prince album and put all his songs on my permanent personal play list. From Prince comes the message of the King! Hallelujiah!!

[Akademik]

I thought that people brought music because they liked the music. This has nothing to do with the music. Prince is a great musician, and I konw he has nothing against gays. People are just siding up becaue of the Prop 8 nonsense. Another thing. Gays always want people to understand them and be understanding of what they are trying to accomplish, but they always strike out against people who don't agree with them. If someone doesn't agree with you, then it's ok. It's not ok to lash out at people who don't believe what you believe. Just keep it moving. Prince is not against you personally. He believes what he believes. And as far as going back to when he was wild and his music was controversal, maybe he wasn't converted then. Ever thought of that? instead of attacking him or calling him a hipocrite, you should just keep it moving.

[Jeff Coombs]

I stopped buying Prince albums long ago. He has not had a mainstream hit in years. Who cares what he thinks? He's a washed up artist that cant seem to think outside of his own self imposed box.

[Ely]

Little Richard also used to tote around and quote from a bible. Scripted into the margins were the detailed experiences of his gay affairs.

He was confronted with the book after a young fan broke open the locked bible backstage on tour in the UK.

[Mark]

How sad that there's still so much hatred of gays in this country. In my opinion, if you hate gays, you're a pathetic human being.

[S]

Look, if he said it and that's what he believes, then he CAN say it.
I'm really tired of everybody and their thin skin crying all the time every time they hear something they don't like. Grow up and take a moment to get completely over yourself. I'm also getting pretty fed up with everybody deciding that when somebody reads the Bible and remarks on what they have learned from it they're no longer credible and their opinion is no longer legitimate. How come I don't get to get offended about that? Too late. I already am. Go ahead Prince! Tell that story!

[Robert]

Fifty-two percent passed the Prop 8. I hope all 52% buy his music because I will NOT! It's fine that he does not like me because I am gay but there are plenty of other singers with great music that does not feel the same.

[chris c.]

When are blacks going to be called out on their overwhelming bigotry when it comes to gay Americans? This just underscores the Prop 8 statistics which showed 70% of blacks voting to strip gay Americans of their right to marry.

I am sick and tired of Equality For Me, But Not For Thee.

[Juab]

My husband and I(together 11 years)got married in California 2 months ago. Equal is equal, anything else is unequal. Quit waving that friggin cross in my face. I don't believe in superstition. There probably isn't a god, so quit worrying and living in fear, relax and enjoy your life...

[Ronald]

Oh my! The gays are going ballistic again! They are going to have a corporate heart attack!

[Rob]

Who really cares what Prince (or any other industry people for that matter) have to say about politics or civil rights?! Just like churches need to get out of our government, actors need to stick to acting and leave politics to the politicians.

[temp]

Here we go again: "Gays always want people to understand them and be understanding of what they are trying to accomplish, but they always strike out against people who don't agree with them"

I wonder what you would say if your right to marry was taken away from you. You act like the people who perpetrated this wrong are the victims here. You speak like you are annoyed that gays are experessing their unhappines when their human rights are taken away. Try to walk in the other shoes for one day, then speak.

How ignorant can a person get ??!!!

[arealamerican]

you libs cannot not in good faith say anything or do anything to Prince. Remember when the conservatives got mad and didn't buy or play the Dixie Chicks music for their "anti-Bush" comments? You wimps screamed about freedom of speech and it's about the music not politics...so for once, please be consistent and SHUTDAHELUP!

[Jorge]

Why can't the gay community just show more tolerance. They need to be tolerant of alternative viewpoints.

[Paul]

The gays are always talking about tolerance and diversity...as long as you agree with them.The moment you disagree with the queer lifestyle,they start the name calling and hatred that they accuse you of.There was a time when I was indifferent...just live and let live.But no,that's not enough for them!They now have to shove their lifestyle down our throats,and expose my young children to ideas they shouldn't have to see.I am starting to feel great resentment and a lack of sympathy to their cause.

[gregorycorso]

Uh oh... Get out the blacklist. The Geffen-ites are at it again. Ban Prince!! Burn his albums!! Boycott his fans' businesses!!

Did you know that almost all of the leadership of the Nazi S.A. forces (the brown shirts) were gay? That's a fact. It's funny to see the new Geffen-ites using the same tactics as their ancestors.

[ALPHONSE]

So Prince gets silenced for an unpopular opinion, but one that is clearly in the Bible. Don't attack a Prince attack the Bible.

[Get over it gay America]

People can handle anything but the truth.

Guess what GAY America. Most of us couldn't care less what you do in the privacy of your own bedrooms.

What Prince just learned is what the rest of us already no. The haters and the intolerants are in the gay community.

Express an opinion that is not seen as dripping in ultra-liberal tolerance and the attacks come like the hounds in Farenheit 451.

Years ago I made a statement that alientated some of my gay-friendly acquaintances. What did I say- "If a man doeasn't have sex with prostitutes, IV drug users, men, and or anal sex with men or women, he has little chance of becoming HIV positive.

Man, was that the wrong thing to say to these pinheads. I was called ignorant, stupid, racist, homophobic, you name it.
"Don't you understand" ,one girl blasted me, "AIDS IS A HETEROSEXUAL DISEASE!"

I donated blood the other day and the questions asked were very precise as to my behavior regarding gay sex, IV drug use, prostitutes etc.
If you answered yes you were not allowed to donate.

I wonder why? Could it be if the Medical Professionals look at the science and not the PC PR.
Sadly, in this case buying the PC PR could kill you.

Personally, I believe the Gay Marriage issue is as much at money as anything. Pension, Health, and suvivor benefits for gay partners.

The gay community needs a steady stream of pariahs to vent their hate. Sorry Prince, as the expression goes "its your turn in the barrell"

[Dave]

Homosexuals have a 'right' to marry? It proves that LIBERALISM IS A MENTAL DISORDER'.

[Laura]

He was probably referring to Sodom and Gomorrah when fire and brimstone rained down on those two cities because they were engaging in homosexual acts. The cities were completely wiped out. It's not clear from the quote above whether Prince thinks God was right about doing that or not ...? I guess that's the question.

[Rick]

Prince didn't say anything that can be interpreted as hating gays. He may not agree with the gay lifestyle, but that doesn't mean he hates it. I don't hate smokers, but I don't like hanging around it, and don't want smoking in my house.

[Sam]

I admire Prince more than before. I guess this extremely talented guy has grown up and thinks for himself. Kudos to him for beating to his own drum.

Prince is spot-on!

[J]

He should stick to singing his decades-old hits and leave the political commentary to those that didn't start their career acting like a member of the opposite sex.

[SoCalRepublicans]

The Bible was tapped. The Bible has spoken. According to his Purple-thingy.