Quote Of The Day - Michelle Shocked

"I do not, nor have I ever, said or believed that God hates homosexuals (or anyone else). I said that some of His followers believe that. [I was] predicting the absurd way my description of, my apology for, the intolerant would no doubt be misinterpreted. The show was all music, and the audience tweets said they enjoyed it. The commentary came about ten minutes later, in the encore. I'm very sorry: I don't always express myself as clearly as I should. But don't believe everything you read on Facebook or Twitter. My view of homosexuality has changed not one iota. I judge not. And my statement equating repeal of Prop 8 with the coming of the End Times was neither literal nor ironic: it was a description of how some folks – not me – feel about gay marriage.

"Folks wonder about my sexuality, but denying being gay is like saying I never beat my husband. My sexuality is not at issue. What is being questioned is my support for the LGBT community, and that has never wavered. Music and activism have always been part of my work and my journey, which I hope and intend to continue. I am damn sorry. If I could repeat the evening, I would make a clearer distinction between a set of beliefs I abhor, and my human sympathy for the folks who hold them. I say this not because I want to look better. I have no wish to hide my faults, and – clearly – I couldn't if I tried." - Michelle Shocked, in a statement published this afternoon by CNN.

On Monday San Francisco's Bay Area Reporter told the story this way:

Things started to fall apart for the singer during her second set, which she said was "all about reality." She immediately began a rant that left the audience stunned. She said she was tired of Christians hiding behind the cross. "When they stop Prop 8 and force priests at gunpoint to marry gays, it will be the downfall of civilization and Jesus will come back," she said. Loud gasps were heard from the audience. Many fans walked out. "I believe the Bible is the word of God," Shocked continued. More audience gasps were heard. More fans exited and some shouted pro-gay sentiments including "Gays deserve to marry," "That is a rotten and horrible thing to say," "Jesus loves people," and "Don't bash people for who they are." One woman shouted: "Don't say that shit in San Francisco." Shocked replied, "Where do I go to say it?"

UPDATE: An audio recording of Shocked's show in San Francisco has emerged.