The inevitable fallout from the controversial interview by gospel recording artist and minister Tonex' on The Lexi Show featured on loldarian.com last week has begun and it looks like another gospel star, Deitrick Haddon is the first within the industry to break his silence.
In responding to repeated taunting and accusations from some of his Twitter followers regarding the large amount of closeted gay men within the gospel music industry, Haddon tweeted back in response, "There's not a sissy bone in my body".
Haddon who is married to gospel vocalist Damita Haddon is probably best know for the hit single "Sinner's Prayer" from his 2002 debut Lost & Found that peaked at #1 on the Billboard charts.
The controversial tweet posted on September 15 has mysteriously disappeared from Haddon's Twitter timeline but it was obviously present long enough for EJ of gospelpundit.com to pen a piece asking those within the industry to "take a moment to examine our hearts and live life more carefully."
"God is not pleased with the anger we exhibit, and the venom we spew, just because we say I’m doing it for YOU, Lord", writes EJ.
We condemn other religions for committing hateful acts in the name of God, we have seen (as a nation) racial oppression premised on people’s errant interpretation of Scripture. And we’ve not liked it. Yet here we are. And we’ve become so engrossed with judging every little thing that happens on this Earth that we easily become distracted from the greatest commandment– LOVE. I’m willing to guess that God would rather we simply keep quiet than demonstrate hatred in His Name. It’s not okay. Why? Merely because I never ONCE saw Christ do it."
Loldarian.com spoke with Tonex' who has been a longtime supporter of this blog regarding Haddon's tweet and specifically his use of the anti gay slur; " I'm a little disappointed with the response. I can't get mad at anyone's conviction, says Tonex'.
As a theologian myself I wish we would use the WORD in a way that wasn't violent or abusive. I think the term "sissy" wasn't necessary but as a brother of mine (Deitrick) no love is lost here", he added.
It boggles my mind how easily anti-gay slurs roll off the tongue of our people, even in casual conversations, when talking about LGBT people and they don't understand that the words "sissy, "fag", "dyke", and "tranny" is just as offensive and hurtful as "nigger".
13 Comments:
There are a range of emotions that overtake me as I read these comments and just refelct on my own life and the spiritual aspects of it. I agree with EJ that we often violate the principle of getting the log out of our own eyes before getting the speck out of another's. We condemn the world for what it does in the name of God but because we don't frame it in the same way, we say it's not the same thing. In my years of attending and participating in church, it's become more clear to me that I need to be in a place that not necessarily affirms my beliefs but one that does NOT condemn me for having beliefs that may go against the grain. But guess what, that's life. Every other place in the world deals with diversity and differences, the church doesn't feel that way. And either the ferociously homophobic or the hypocritcal closeted are the ones spewing the hatred. I could care less about your sexuality or your sexual behavior...if you can sing, speak, preach, affirm, etc a word...I'll listen. If some of these folks really took the time to think about what God and Jesus really represented and what they require, this would be a moot point. SMH
September 16, 2009 2:00 PM
Well, I guess the shit keeps fallin'!!!! I am hurt but not surprised by my former mentor/ music minister. All I can say is that the secrets will come out when the time is right.
September 16, 2009 2:15 PM
Who do these girls think they are fooling? I mean, GIRLS, puh-lease! They are hilarious.
September 16, 2009 2:41 PM
Straight men don't find the need to speak on matters such as these, unless they have something to hide and they are seeking validation.
Church people can/are the most hateful, and try to stand behind Jesus for their convictions.
September 16, 2009 3:53 PM
Deitrick isn't just singing about God in the song "I love Him like I do." Like Granny used to say, if it don't come out in the wash, it's gonna come out in the rinse...
September 16, 2009 9:20 PM
I know am stereotyping but looking at his photo above, my gaydar goes beep beep beeeeeep!
September 17, 2009 12:48 AM
A hit dog will holler!
September 17, 2009 5:52 PM
these people...ha
September 17, 2009 8:09 PM
How is Deitrick's use of the word "Sissy" any worse than Ton3x's use of the word "Faggotized"? We all have to find better terminology that comes from a place of respect or at the least maturity.
September 18, 2009 5:18 PM
Ha I've worked with the Deitrick and his wife in nashville and he's a queen lol
September 20, 2009 11:02 AM
I used to be very bothered by the anti-gay teachings of the black church and the hatred filled spirits. But one day I started to realize that gays were no LESS blessed, and sometimes were even MORE blessed than those who so vehemently are against them. I've come to accept that people are people but GOD has the last word and that my relationship with GOD is just that, MINE!!
September 22, 2009 5:21 PM
Deitrick's comments are no surprise, everyone is not strong as Tonex. But this thing is deeper. Religious based homophobia/heterosexism is destroying the black community. That silence you know that silence that follows after we say the name Rev. James Cleveland. That silence that I hear when I say "aint no such thing as ex-gay".
It is that same silence I hear when I speak the truth in the church and to the church when I say that homosexuality is not a demon, not a curse but an orientation just like heterosexuality.
That silence grows "louder" when I say that the scriptures we use to condemn our LGBT brothers and sisters are used out of their proper context.
Bless Tonex and this blog author for breaking that silence.
Peace and Blessings
Minister Gerald Palmer
Kansas City
October 08, 2009 11:18 AM
"There's not a Sissy Bone in My Body". Hmmmm, then why sir where you caught with someones husband?
October 18, 2010 11:03 AM
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