Via Deadline:
We’re hearing that the show isn’t shooting right now, and there are episodes in the can that Robertson will be in. But he will not be a part of the production when filming resumes.
“We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson’s comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series Duck Dynasty“, the network group said in a statement just now. ”His personal views in no way reflect those of A+E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community. The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely.”
In case you missed it, here's the comment in GQ that pissed people off, comparing gays to people who have sexual relationship with goats:
“Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men,” he says. Then he paraphrases Corinthians: “Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers—they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.”
…
“It seems like, to me, a vagina — as a man — would be more desirable than a man's anus, that's just me. I'm just thinking: There's more there! She's got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I'm saying? But hey, sin: It's not logical, my man. It's just not logical.”
Classic judgmental Bible-thumper talk, the type of thing routed in social ignorance. Phil's a 67-year-old duck-call maker who lives in Monroe, La.; how many gay people do you think he's ever really met, pre-reality TV stardom? He can probably count on one hand.
But for the rest of us who know a gay person or two, Phil's worlds reflect an awful, ugly attitude that's all too commonplace in middle America. See Phil, here's the thing about being a citizen of the 21st century: People don't like it when you suggest the sexuality your were born with is just a matter of choice.
In case you need a refresher course on why this pisses people off, via Deadline:
The comments quickly drew the ire of gay-rights groups like GLAAD. ”Phil and his family claim to be Christian, but Phil’s lies about an entire community fly in the face of what true Christians believe,” said GLAAD spokesperson Wilson Cruz. “He clearly knows nothing about gay people or the majority of Louisianans – and Americans – who support legal recognition for loving and committed gay and lesbian couples. Phil’s decision to push vile and extreme stereotypes is a stain on A&E and his sponsors who now need to reexamine their ties to someone with such public disdain for LGBT people and families.” The group said it reached out to A&E to see whether the network stood by Robertson’s statements.
The Great Duck Dynasty-Gate of Late 2013 will without a doubt rile up America's Blue vs. Red divide. People will bicker and bitch back-and-forth on Facebook about it with opinions on both sides of the issue: The Christian “family values” crowd on the right and the Hey-Maybe-Lets-Just-Accept-Each-Other-and-Get-Along-Mmmkay? on the Left. People will say it's a liberal vs. conservative issue, which all feels like the “evangelicals vs. the rest of the world” attitude that became commonplace in 2005.
Yes, this is America: Phil can believe what he wants to believe and say what he wants to say. But when you're a public figure speaking on-the-record in a forum that will eventually be public, the public reserves the right to judge his attitudes accordingly.
Which is exactly the same thing Phil did to the LGBT community.
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