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Big Girl You Are Not So Beautiful

Timothy Kincaid

August 23rd, 2007

American Idol contestant Mandisa was voted off the show following concerns that she was anti-gay and supported ex-gay ministries. The bruhaha came after she announced on the show that if you want to be free, God’s bigger than your lifestyle and listed as her personal idol a woman who advocates reorientation therapy. Mandisa, it seems, hadn’t noticed that large soulful black women have a built-in fan base – and it isn’t 13 year old girls.

Now, in an interview with Beliefnet.com, Mandisa has some more thoughts on the subject:

You said in an interview in The Advocate that you didn’t think you’d feel comfortable performing in front of a homosexual group. A big part of your faith is interacting with people who don’t know the Lord. Do you think that, if you were to perform at something like that, that would be a way for you to continue your ministry?

It could be. And if the Lord asked me to do it, then I would. But I just think it’s one thing to sort of advocate homosexuality, and I think that if I were to perform at a gay event, that I would be doing that. And because I don’t advocate it, I wouldn’t feel comfortable with it.

I am a Christian singer, and I believe that there are principles that are laid out very clearly in the Bible about homosexuality. If a group wanted me to come out and had no problem with me, you know, talking about my faith and talking about the Bible and scriptures that are in it, then I would consider it.

But to be honest, I don’t believe that I would be asked to because I wouldn’t be singing songs that I did on “American Idol.” I would be singing Christian songs about Christian principles, and I don’t believe that they line up with the homosexual lifestyle. That’s why I said I wouldn’t feel comfortable with it. If the Lord called me to do it, I would do anything that he would call me to do.

It’s not quite the happy judge-nobody tale that she gave the Advocate. But I guess the Lord must have called her to be self-promoting and say what her audience wants to hear. I should probably thank Him that I won’t have to hear Mandisa shreiking at any gay pride events in the future.

Comments

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Emily K
August 23rd, 2007 | LINK

Um, HELLO. What group of people do you think loves Divas the MOST?? And who do you think would LOVE your singing and performances the most if you let them? Gay fans can be the best fans. Boy has THIS girl missed the boat.

Benton
August 24th, 2007 | LINK

What always floors me is that people don’t think that maybe the GLBT community is sent by the Spirit to change the view of those who are bigoted.

Ben in Oakland
August 24th, 2007 | LINK

“I am a Christian singer, and I believe that there are principles that are laid out very clearly in the Bible about homosexuality. If a group wanted me to come out and had no problem with me, you know, talking about my faith and talking about the Bible and scriptures that are in it, then I would consider it.”

Dear Mandisa: Funny, that’s what slaveholders and segregationists used to say about equality for black people, and cited their religious beliefs to “prove” it.

It always amazes me how many black people are willing to jump on the homophobia bandwagon. you would think that a few hundred years of religious and state-sanctioned bigotry would cause them to look twice, or at least think once.

Ovedya
August 27th, 2007 | LINK

So what’s “homophobic” about someone who decides where and how best to serve God? Mandisa is perfectly within her rights to decide where he venues should be. Just as anyone else is. She shouldn’t be labeled as “homophobic” and criticized for her decision either. It’s her life!

Lilo
August 29th, 2007 | LINK

The hell of it is, I liked her, and I think she’s admirable in so many ways. But I’m not going to deliberately use my money as a weapon against myself and people I love.

Ovedya, if a gay artist said s/he hoped Christians wouldn’t bother coming to her or his concerts, you’d be offended, yes?

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