Michelle Shocked responds to backlash over comments on gays

Michelle Shocked is responding to the flood of criticism she sparked earlier this week with what’s been described as her anti-gay tirade during a recent performance in San Francisco, saying she does not oppose gay marriage.

During her concert on Sunday, audience members reported that she said, “When they stop Prop 8 and force priests at gunpoint to marry guys, it will be the downfall of civilization and Jesus will come back.” She subsequently told the crowd “You can go on Twitter and say ‘Michelle Shocked says God hates [epithet for gays].”

It was on Twitter that Shocked’s response to the episode has been unfolding.

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To a fan’s question of “What are you up to?” on her Twitter account, Shocked replied, “Just my usual troublemaking, at the expense of dear friends who trust me, even when I appear to be gay-bashing.”

She also tweeted, “I’m neither against a woman’s right to choose nor gay marriage. Am a fundamentalist tho.”

Other fans ventured the idea that Shocked, who has been known for provocative statements and actions previously, had been intentionally ironic with her comments.

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“Never fun to get chased by a mob with no sense of irony or nuance,” one writer posted, prompting a dissent from another writer who responded, “And how deflective to call those standing up against [nonsense] hate-speak ‘a mob.’”

Promoters of a May 5 show Shocked was scheduled to play in Illinois canceled the performance in the wake of Sunday’s events, posting, “Many of you have reached out already following an ugly rant given by Michelle Shocked at her show in San Francisco last night. After speaking with the promoter of that show about the nature of the remarks, it’s clear that this is no longer a show we’re willing to put our name on. The May 5th performance at SPACE has been canceled and refunds will be issued at point of purchase.”

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