"Shocked" Homophobic(?) Rant Confusing, Concerning

By Kelly Manser on March 22, 2013

If you hadn’t heard of veteran singer-songwriter Michelle Shocked before yesterday (and you wouldn’t unless you listen to the same XM radio station as your dad), chances are your impression of her is not a particularly positive one.  The 51-year-old musician has caused an uproar with comments that were inflammatory and homophobic.  A recent interview exclusive to SPIN magazine has only muddied the waters further.

On St. Patrick’s Day, Shocked was playing a solo set at Yoshi’s, an upscale lounge in San Francisco.  Post-intermission, her onstage banter took a turn for the…uh…right-wing fundamentalist.  ”Once Prop 8 gets [repealed] and once preachers are held at gunpoint and forced to marry the homosexuals, I’m pretty sure that that will be the signal for Jesus to come on back,” the musician said.  “If someone could be so gracious to tweet out, ‘Michelle Shocked just said from stage, “God hates faggots”,’ would you do it now?” she continued.  Yikes.

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Leaked over Soundcloud, Shocked’s words have effectively ended her current North American tour and jeopardized planned gigs in Europe as venues rush to cancel.

Shocked, a born-again Christian, proclaimed she was “damn sorry” about any hurt feelings, and that she was merely explaining the position of “some folks;” however, an audio file of the evening gives little indication that she communicated such a concept at all.  The initial “damn sorry” statement released by Shocked’s publicist represents a cogent, if illogically-explained and ultimately ineffective, statement of apology (or at least an attempt to backpedal).  It certainly doesn’t seem like a publicity stunt, because in today’s age, anti-gay comments aren’t winning anyone overespecially not in San Francisco.

However, in an interview with reporter and acquaintance Rob Trucks, who sees the display as extremely out-of-character, Shocked comes off…differently.  Imagine Charlie Sheen professing that he’s not bipolar, but “bi-winning,” or Tom Cruise jumping on Oprah’s couch…okay, so maybe she’s not that out-of-control, but her words are certainly out-there.  Despite Trucks’s efforts, even his most straight-shooting questions received non-sequitur responses.  The interview is even frustrating to read due to her non-responses and non-apologies, Bible references, and something about Justin Bieber in bondage.  If anything, she has just made the situation more confusing.

Without a doubt, Shocked needs to be held accountable for her actions and made to understand the ramifications of saying something that comes across as patently inflammatory and hateful.  No amount of background context can vindicate the audio clip, and the world’s reaction is one hundred percent justified. However, the transcript of Trucks’s interview is a little concerning and makes it sound as though in her discourse about the difference between “truth” and “reality,” Shocked has distanced herself from both.  More than anything, the current version of the former liberal icon is worrisome.

Whether she will extricate herself from this grievous misstep, eventually take responsibility for her transgressions, or continue with incoherent rants remains to be seen.  If anything, Shocked certainly seems to be confused. Here’s hoping that Shocked, once a symbol of the left and a former pseudo-lesbian icon, is able to find her footing, clarify whatever her stance is, and face the consequences of her words with grace and dignity.

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