Marie Osmond, the wholesome entertainer who once sang about being a little bit country, has come out a whole lot in favor of marriage equality. The singer has taken the stance to support her daughter Jessica Blosil, who came out to her as a lesbian at age 17.
“The God that I believe in is a god of love, not fear,” Osmond, who was raised Mormon along with her eight famous brothers, tells ABC’s Diane Sawyer. “I don’t tell my children if you’re not good you’re going to Hell. I tell my children that God will be there for them when they struggle. That’s the God I believe in…I believe in [Jessica’s] civil rights, as a mother.
The singer, whose memoir The Key is Love will be published Tuesday, tells ABC’s Diane Sawyer about the day her now-22 year-old daughter came out to her while still a teen. “My heart broke for her,” Osmond recalls. “I think it’s easier now, but not as a 17-year-old child.
“I think my daughter deserves everything that she desires in life,” Osmond adds. “She’s a good girl. She’s a wonderful child. I don’t think God made one color flower. I think he made many…”
Perhaps less surprising is news that Marie’s opinion is in sharp contrast to some other, more traditional members of her large Mormon family. Osmond’s oldest brother Alan and his wife Suzanne, took time away from entertaining Branson, Missouri tourists, to host an anti-marriage equality rally in Salt Lake City, Utah last Tuesday.
In a week with marriage equality again dominating the national headlines and even Rush Limbaugh conceding, Marie’s commendable support inspired Sawyer to name her ABC’s Person of the Week. We agree. Let’s hear from you, Donny.
CaptainFabulous
I’ve always liked Marie, far better than Donny or any of the other Osmonds. I was a bit upset when I read recently that “The Osmonds” were taking an anti-gay marriage stance, so hearing that Marie isn’t aligned with her brothers makes me a happy camper.
brokeback gypsy
Ironic since it was the morman church that bankrolled the Prop 8 in California. where was she then?
CaptainFabulous
@brokeback gypsy: I dunno, in Vegas performing and otherwise living her life? Just because she’s a Mormon and in favor of gay marriage doesn’t mean she has to be an activist. Also, she doesn’t live in California.
Cee
@ :52 seconds – “I don’t tell my children if you’re not good you’re goin to hell”
I love how she said that and chuckled after.
It makes you realize how absurd it is that there are parents out there who actually say that to their kids.
AEH
Oh, I’m sure Donny is just as gay-friendly as she is, if not more.
MuscleModelBlog.com
“‘I don’t tell my children if you’re not good you’re going to Hell. I tell my children that God will be there for them when they struggle. That’s the God I believe in…I believe in [Jessica’s] civil rights, as a mother.'” This is why more and more people are supporting equality–they know someone whom it will affect.
Bob LaBlah
Rush, from the bottom of my heart I honeslty CAN NOT thank you for offering your unasked for opinion. I can thank you VERY much for poisioning the minds of the ignorant and killing your only candidates chance (Gov. Chris Christy) in 2016 because he sees more good than bad in Obama and the healthcare plan offered as well.
*
That was big of you Marie. You go girl. I also have this sinking feeling that you and your brother got into an argument as to whether you should participate in that anti-marriage b/s and you got back at him by doing this.
Cam
It’s too bad other Osmond family members don’t feel the same way…
http://www.towleroad.com/2013/03/osmond-family-hosting-hate-rally-at-utah-capitol.html
Another problem the Mormon Church has is how if you are an “Important” Mormon they leave you alone. They have excommunicated multiple people for being gay or for refusing disown their gay family members, but they never say a word to Marie. Normally you cannot be sued if you are a church for making a church decision. But if you kick somebody out for the same thing that somebody else gets no penalty for you can be.
Will be interesting to see if any of the excommunicated families bother to sue over this one.
TinoTurner
Mormonism isnt a real religon…its as fucked up as Scientology.
LoisLane
@TinaTurner. – your comment is quite ignorant of reality. I mean that in the nicest possible way! ( quote Dame Edna)
It is nothing like Scientology and is a fab religion where most church members live as they believe – in a Christlike way. I applaud Marie for her stand & comments – Christ truly did /does love all.. Beautiful message to be putting out there! We are all equal!
guest4ever
@Cam: @Cam: People are only excommunicated from the Church for participating in sexual activity with those of the same gender… just as those who engage in adultery are excommunicated.
Not for struggling with homosexual desires.
Nor are members of the Church encouraged to disown family members.
In order to fulfill its mission, the Church must maintain a level of purity distinct from the ways of the world.