We’ve never heard of the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, but apparently the NFL-sanctioned event has been going strong for 14 years. This year, though, the show is packed with folks who have made public statements attacking the LGBT community.
Among the honored guests at the February 1 event are Fantasia Barrino, who opined that gay marriage was proof “the world’s gone mad,” and Sherri Shepherd, who has spouted all kinds of ignorant, anti-LGBT nonsense on The View.
Also on the bill are Grammy-winning superstar Kirk Franklin, who advocates proselytizing to gays in hopes of converting them to heterosexuality; Lecrae Moore, who rapped about “choir members probably having gay sex” in his song “Church Clothes”; Pastor Donnie McClurkin, who has compared gay and lesbians to vampires; and Rev Marvin Winans, who advised his flock not to vote for Obama because the President supported same-sex marriage.
Bishop Paul S. Morton, another attendee, gave this wonderful explanation for why homosexuality is wrong:
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
You don’t try to put two plugs or two sockets together… You ain’t got no socket rubbing up against another socket talkin’ ’bout ‘come on light my fire!’ It ain’t gonna light!”
[Gays] want gay rights because you serving the man you want, or the woman you want more than the One who created you and that’s an abomination in God’s sight. People of God, you gotta understand either we’re gonna live by this word, or we’re gonna deny this word.”
We need to break the curse ’cause even some of these older women are attacking some of these younger women and placing them in this lifestyle. I rebuke you in the name of Jesus, and I take authority over you that you get your filthy hands off of God’s property… You hurtin’ cause it ain’t natural.
We know a showcase like this takes months to put together, but we can’t help feeling like this is a counter-maneuver against the Baltimore Ravens’ Brendon Ayanbadejo, who promised to promote marriage equality at the Super Bowl.
In any case, the only singing and praying we plan on doing Sunday is during Beyoncé’s half-time show.
iBLOW
These are all Black BAPTISTS, of course they’re all homophobic. That’s something I know for sure from being black and having black baptists in my family at their churches they say homophobic things ALLLLL the time, but at my Lutheran church they don’t say things. Black Baptists are ignorant and bigots, last Sunday the pastor said “I hate at gang members funerals when the pastor does the cross on their bodies, because those men are going to hell”
Ogre Magi
Christians are our enemies, always have been always will be!
ChiChi Man
Disgusting. I wish Brendon could follow up a Super Bowl win by beating these fools to a bloody pulp.
hephaestion
Please cut the hostile generalizations about Baptists and Blacks. They are not all homophobic by any means. Many of our greatest supporters are Black Baptists. We should not be hating on those who only deserve our love.
That said, some of the singers in this line up DO appear to have been chosen by Jerry Falwell. Thank God I have more sense than to ever watch a Super Bowl.
Aidan8
@hephaestion: I get your objection to over-generalization. But your notion that “many of our greatest supporters are Black Baptists” is just plain silly. Our greatest support does not come from the “Christian community,” Baptist or otherwise. Arguably, Christians are the greatest enemy of LGBT progress.
Aidan8
American football culture + christofascist evangelical wingnuts…. can’t think of a more uninviting combination.
erikwm
An NFL sanctioned event that has been “going strong” for 14 years that I’ve never heard of til today?
Lets not give it publicity. Let it continue in obscurity.
CM79
@robco: R-a-c-i-s-t.
Dehreeus
Beyonce >>>>>> all them weirdo hypocrites.
Dehreeus
@robco: ZZZZZZZZZ.
jonasalden
You could’ve gone without saying that. Isn’t this exactly what the article is railing against? Bigotry? And there you go…
jonasalden
My comment (#13) was directed at robco, who does that thing so many netizens do: trolling for backlash with outlandish, rude comments. Where does it end?
Shadeaux
Fantasia shouldn’t be on here. She’s not a homophobe, she’s just dumb as hell and mis-spoke.
gppm1103
@robco: You must be English…they are the only ones who think they still have an empire.
petensfo
@erikwm: AMEN!
And what’s with all the racism and prejudice in these comments? Take it up a notch, boys. You don’t do anything for your cause by trashing these misguided bigots.
Charles175
He who seeks to expose everyone Else’s sins does so in order to cover the vast multitude of his own. In this I always wonder what is inside the closets of these pompous self righteous people. Genuine followers of Jesus have the Spirit of true Love inside their hearts. He said: 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will KNOW that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” In this its not an issue with those that actually follow Jesus and His teachings, it is an issue with those that pervert scripture, those that conveniently ignore Jesus’ key teachings to suit their purposes. As Gandhi said: “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” And last but not least Jesus stated: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”
Boytoy
Really?A bunch of homophobic,hateful imbeciles singing gospel for one of the most homo-erotic sports in human history?Also,shouldn’t they condemn the football players?The bible forbids the touching of pig skin which is what a football is made with,and jesus said that it’s easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to get into heaven.Football players are very wealthy.Religitards.
stfallon1028
Since when has the NFL been an advocate or friend to the gay community? At least this year they’re being more up front about it with their choices of musical guests
Spike
@erikwm: Thank you. Queerty starts the post by referencing having never heard of the event, then gives it publicity. Why not just ignore it?
CM79
This is the Superbowl, not a pride rally. Who the NFL chooses to enlist to perform really has nothing to do with the gay community. They’re pandering to the general populous, not one sect of society. Either enjoy the entertainment, or don’t watch.